Everything is Coming Up Rose!

Summer is America’s favorite Rose wine season.  Some people will drink it year-round, but the majority of people wait until summer.  Rose wine is refreshing without being too acidic and there is no fear of oak flavor — there is never oak!  Rose wine is loved for its flavor, weight, and is versatility with meals.  While some people stick with Rose wine from Provence, France, wineries from all over the world produce appetizing Rose.  The below wines are from Long Island, Oregon, Southern France, the Loire Valley in France, and  Provence, France.  Each one provides a different flavor and weight for varying foods and cocktail hour sipping.

Imported from Sancerre, France in the Loire Valley, Pinot Noir grapes were used for this Rose.  It is light and minerally with a delicate fruit flavor.  The color is not the salmon that people associate with Provence Rose wines because Pinot Noir Rose wines are rarely that pale.  Don’t judge a wine by its color, though. This wine is not heavily fruity.  Sancerre is a French wine Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) for wine produced in the Sancerre area of the Loire valley, southeast of Orléans.  In 2011 and 2012, the Sancerre region is producing some excellent Rose wines that have more flavor than Provence Rose wines, and with subtlety.  Whether you try this Rose wine or another from Sancerre, they are worth a taste!

This Rose is more than meets the eye.  Although the wine company is based in Oregon, the actual grape used for this wine is Sangiovese!  That might explain why such a dark-colored Rose wine is not very fruity.  Instead, you get strawberry up front and then a quick taste of hibiscus, lavender, and herbs.  This Rose is what some would call a “food Rose”, meaning it has the flavor to be paired with fish or poultry.  I enjoyed the floral surprise in this Rose and was pleased that it wasn’t a fruit punch.  Some people prefer to buy American wines, and if you do, try this Rose!

You read right, Long Island wineries produce Rose wine!  This wine is in the traditional Provence, France style.  It is made with 54% Merlot, 21% Chardonnay, 9% Pinot Noir, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It smells of strawberries and lime with subtle white flower characteristics, and is light in color and flavor.  The North Fork, Long Island American Viticultural Area (AVA) is located in eastern Suffolk County, New York.  The maritime location helps moderate temperature fluctuations and extend the growing season up to a month longer than other regions in New York. The most planted varietals are Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc, but many vineyards are expanding to include other varietals more and more.  This wine is another domestic option for the tried and true American wine buyers!

This Rose wine is made with Cinsault, which is a fine French tradition.  It is a red wine grape, whose heat tolerance and productivity make it commonly grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon area, which includes Provence.  On the palate the wine is lively with blood orange and other low-acid citrus. The balance is excellent, the wine is rich and full-bodied and the taste ends with a long lively finish.  A very tasty Rose wine!  The Cotes de Provence means the coast of Provence, and it is about 50,000 acres big, making it the largest Provence wine region.  In case you’re wondering why everyone loves Provence Rose, Rose wine is 85% of the Cotes de Provence wine production — the wine makers are experts at it!  If you haven’t tried a Provence Rose wine yet, try one this summer!

This unique Rose is 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 18% Syrah, 1% Mourvedre, and 1% Carignan.  Just like the Southern French red wines, the Rose is a compilation of local varietals.  The result is dry and refreshing.  You will smell herbs and strawberry and taste something like a delicious, dry white.  The wine is from an area close to Aix, France.  For a Rose with a very clear pink color, you get a lot of flavor!  It is a delicious and unique Rose made in a part of France that has a lot of experience making the wine.  Give it a try!

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