Looking at Summer Through Rose-Colored Sunglasses
The world loves rosé in the summertime. And why not? It’s pretty, refreshing, and carefree in the best possible way. Yet the public’s easy embrace of rosé often means an uncritical acceptance of anything in pink. And there is a lot of mediocre rosé, so we are less likely to try new ones based on past experiences.
But if you love wine and care about what you drink, you can raise your rosé game by seeking out wines that are made with integrity and care. They cost more, yes, $15 to $30, with the occasional even more expensive outlier. But what you get are wines that not only dazzle and refresh, but also welcome contemplation, if
you’re in the mood. You would not want to serve these in plastic cups at a lawn party, but they would be perfect with an outdoor dinner. Your cookout guests may even do double-takes before asking for another glass.
Excellent rosés are made all over the world. From California, Oregon, Washington, New York, to Argentina, Chile, Italy, Spain and Provence, the spiritual home of rosé, and everywhere in between. Rosé is also very food-friendly; it pairs well with everything.
Here are a few excellent examples that we currently carry in the store.
Gassier Esprit Gassier Cotes de Provence 2016
A very clear rosé with shades of peach; floral nose with white and yellow fruit notes (peach, apricot, pear); in the mouth, round and delicate with notes of white peach, mandarin and grapefruit.
Blend: 35% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 25% Syrah, 10% Rolle
Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste 2016
The 2016 Arriviste is an elegant, salmon-pink colored rosé of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the nose, a mélange of aromas of strawberry and stone fruit come together with light floral notes. The wine delights with flavors of blackcurrants, crisp red apple and citrus on the mid-palate, carrying clean minerality and bright acidity on the lingering finish. The 2016 Napa Valley growing season saw near-optimal conditions, allowing for an abundance of perfectly-ripe grapes with a smooth balance of acids and sugars, producing this spectacular rosé.
Belle Glos Oeil De Perdrix Pinot Noir Blanc 2016
Oeil de Perdrix – French for “eye of the partridge” – is a traditional term for this wine’s seductive, jewel-like color. To capture this shade along with the wine’s crisp acidity and bold berry flavors, Belle Glos lightly presses the fresh Pinot Noir juice from whole clusters, then allows it a brief love affair with spicy French oak barrels during and after fermentation.
Pale pink with a copper hue, this wine has a classic eye of the partridge color. Citrus-driven aromas carry through to the palate. On entry, bright acidity enlivens the dense creamy orange note with layers of dried, tart apricot. The brightness verges on minerality, but there is so much weight that the richness balances
out the firm acidity and carries flavors of dried fruit through the long-lasting finish.
Anthony’s choice for beer of the summer:
Urban Chestnut Zwickel
An unfiltered Bavarian-style lager with a smooth, refreshing flavor. It’s a great beer to enjoy cold while outside on a hot day and you can pair it with just about any food.
Anthony’s cocktail of the summer:
The Garden Gimlet
é
1oz Rutte Celery Gin
1oz Singani 63 Bolivian Liquor
0.5oz Stoupakis Homericon Mastiha Greek Liquor
0.75oz Lime Juice
0.5oz Simple Syrup
Shake, serve on the rocks, and garnish with a thinly sliced cucumber wheel.
