Wine Wednesday: Days of Roses

Spring has settled in, and summer is coming up the road, so rose wine season is upon us. It’s become more popular in the United States over the last decade, but it has been a French country staple for over three centuries, and, in fact was produced by the Phoenicians 3500 years ago. Here are a few quick facts about rose:

·      *   Blending red and white wines to make “rose” is generally frowned upon except in the Champagne region of France, where rose Champagne is produced by blending a little Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier with the white sparkling wine for color and a hint of extra flavor.

·     *    Most rose wine is most often created through maceration—the process of crushing red grapes and leaving the skins with the juice for only a short amount of time, from 24 hours to one week. The amount of time with the skins determines the color.

·     *    Common grapes used for rose are Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and Syrah. Each has its own flavor profile, but many roses have flavors of strawberries and other red fruits, even watermelon, and floral qualities, citrus, honey, or a hint of spice.

·      *   While there are many good classic roses available in the $15 to $20 range, prices can reach $400 to $600 per bottle for French rose Champagnes and French Burgundy roses.

·     *     When pairing with food, think about chilled wine with summer fare: grilled fish or chicken, seafood like shrimp and oysters, light to medium cheeses, salads, fruit desserts (if the rose is on the sweet side.) It’s also nice for sipping on a warm day accompanied by strawberries with a little whipped cream lightly dusted with cocoa, some Italian cookies, or spumoni.

Wine Wednesday: Wine Pick--An Elegant Rose for Mothers Day

If you’re looking for a wine for Mothers Day dinner—or for a gift for Mom—find this bottle. This Fulkerson Winery Syrah Rose is one of my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Located on the west side of Seneca Lake, the grapes are estate grown. The wine is an elegant example of the rose style.

Tasting—Nose: light berry, hint of floral notes; Palate: starts lightly tart to honey to berry to a dry finish with notes of watermelon.

It’s a great spring/summer wine because of its light-to-medium body. It pairs well with many different foods, as many roses do. Enjoy it, and let me know what you think. And Happy Mothers Day!

Wine Pick of the Week: February 25, 2016

Louis Laurent 2014 Rose D'Anjou

I like roses as a rule and am always up for trying new ones. French roses are especially versatile and food friendly. This Laurent is from France’s western Loire Valley.

The nose starts with strawberries, and I get a whiff of spice (cinnamon.) This is Cabernet Franc, and the first taste is a little tart, but there are the strawberries, then pear to white peach, a little cinnamon that finishes to a taste of hazelnut. It’s really quite nice and is off-sweet with a light, dry finish.

I would pair this with pork (barbequed or grilled, chops or roast;) charcuterie; salmon, especially with a fruit salsa; creamy plain cheesecake.   

Wine Pick of the Week: December 30, 2015

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose NV(France)

This is a lovely way to end the year. The beautiful pale salmon color of this sparkler comes from soft pressing hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes and leaving the skins on briefly—and this is 100 percent Pinot Noir. The Albrecht family of Alsace has been making wine since 1425 and was instrumental in the evolution of cremant.

 I get a light scent of strawberries at the very first, then fresh baked bread. Strawberry comes through right away at first taste, too, and transitions to tangy citrus and lemon. This is not a sweet wine, nor dry. The finish is soft and more off-dry with a hint of minerals. It’s refreshing, and the bubbles make it tingle.

It’s also under $20, which is reasonable for a quality French sparkling wine. I know that it’s available at Malcho’s Wine & Spirits on Empire Blvd. in the Rochester, NY area.

This would be beautiful with a strawberry in the glass. Pair it with a strawberry or raspberry swirl cheesecake, mild cheeses like brie with a raspberry glaze or Port Salut, and charcuterie that isn’t too spicy.  

Thank you for your support of ArtSoulWine.com this year, and best wishes for 2016! 

Wine Pick of the Week: May 31, 2015

Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence 2014 Rose  (France)

While in upstate New York this weekend, I visited Ryan’s Wines & Spirits in Canandaigua and picked up this little rose on sale for $11.99/bottle. It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvedre. The nose starts with some faint strawberries and a touch of vanilla. Like many French roses, it’s off-dry and not too sweet. Tart flavors begin with minerals, develop to strawberries and progress to a hint of lemon.

This would be a nice porch sipper, but would also pair with spring mix salad greens, a light chicken salad and crudités.