Guilty by Association By Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach™
During this time of year, theres nothing more appetizing than watermelon, luscious strawberries, or a ripe peach, right? How about a glass of Rose? Chances are most people dont associate these particular fruits with Rose, even though these fruits are the principal flavors found in this great wine. Rose is traditionally a dry wine, balanced by crisp acidity, making it refreshing, as well as food-friendly.
Many wine drinkers mistakenly expect a Rose to always taste sweet like White Zinfandel, which is a sweet Rose made from the California Zinfandel grape. White Zinfandel was immensely popular in the 1980s and continues to be a favorite today. The distinctive pinkish color of Rose has become synonymous with White Zinfandel, which often deters dry wine lovers away from trying the fabulous array of Rose currently available. If in the past the threat of a sweet White Zin has given you pause, please reconsider!
Rose gets its color in a number of ways. One way is to blend white and red wines making it, of course, pink! Another is to leave the grape juice in contact with the red grape skins for a short period of time, whereby only receiving minimal color. The third method is a French method called Saignee, literally meaning to bleed, which is achieved by bleeding off some of the tank of crushed red grape juice before it is fully colored from its skins.
Great Rose is made all over the world including Italy, Spain, California, and of course, France. The 2005 French Rose is just hitting the market. I was recently invited to sample some of these wines at Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits in Annapolis. Overall I was very pleased with all that we tasted, but of course, I have a few favorites.
Here are some pink wines you'll love to drink:
Domaine de Corbillres Pinot Noir Rose(Loire Valley, France)
Salmon-colored, this Rose has flavors of peaches and watermelon with a crisp finish making it extremely food-friendly. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, it would be great with seafood or an array of appetizers. Retail Price: $10.99
Domaine de Gournier Rose (Rhone Valley, France)
This Rose has a beautiful deep pink with intense strawberry flavors that you can taste on and on! Great paired with salad, seafood or just a few girlfriends. Retail Price: $9.99
Sainte Barbe Rose (Bordeaux, France)
Dark pink (probably just a short step away from a red wine), this Bordeaux Rose is well balanced with black currant fruit and moderate acidity. Try this when you are thinking red, but want something lighter. Pair with meatier fish and light meats. Retail Price: $9.99
As things heat up this summer and you want the refreshing coolness of white wine with the fabulous flavors of red wine, then give Rose a chance! Its the best of both worlds.
Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach® is a wine educator, writer and author of the award winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. Laurie’s specialty is creating unique corporate keynotes, team building events and group tasting seminars where she can deliver on her mission to demystify wine one glass at a time.
For more or to get Laurie's FREE audio CD on "the 7 Secrets to Flawlessly Ordering Wine" visit www.TheWineCoachSecrets.com
