TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES

It should read Roses with an accent over the e. Roses have always got a bad rap when it comes to wine, generally being sneered at by most “wine connoisseurs”. Please read: ROSES ARE NOT WHITE ZINFANDEL! If you can get past that hurdle you are half way there. You may not realize it but there is a Rose Renaissance going on right now! There are a growing number of Roses made world-wide. Each wine is a little different from the next in a range from the faintest pink to a glowingly pink color. From the Spring to early Fall, it has become quite a phenomena. These wines are perfect for picnic and barbeque refreshment. Even though they may be filled with strawberry and cherry aromas, often times they can be surprisingly bone dry with a refreshing acidity. They also can at times be full-bodied, rich and spicy with an alcoholic kick. What a revelation!! What is great too, is that they are light on the pocketbook—all under $20

So you may ask how are these wines made? It is said that the Ancient Greeks would dilute Red wine by adding water to prevent drunkenness and quarrels. Seriously, though all Roses start out as Reds and finish as Whites. If we were to strip away the skins from all grapes, you would find that they all look alike. It is the Skin that imparts the color and in the case of Reds those crazy things call Tannins. There are three major ways to produce rose wines:

1. Skin Contact: The term Maceration refers to how long this contact lasts. It will vary from wine to wine and be as little as 4-6 hours to 24 hours to several days. Fermentation is avoided and the vinification, usually in stainless steel, continues as for white wines

2. Saignee (say-NAY) French for bleeding. In this process juice is “bled” off the top of the maceration tank of a red wine being produced and then processed like it was a white wine.

3. Blending: This technique, simply mixing red and white wine together has been banned from all wine producing countries. There is one exception in Champagne, France occasionally they will combine red and white wines to make Sparkling Roses

Two very important notes: ALWAYS BUY THE YOUNGEST VINTAGE AVAILABLE. ALWAYS CHILL THEM BEFORE SERVING. These wines are ready to drink and should not be cellared or opened past two years.

Roses can be very versatile with food. When a White is not enough and a Red is too much the answer most times is a Rose My advice to you is to not let this Spring and Summer pass by without smelling the Roses. Try one and I am sure you will be surprised!

Below I have included some wines to get you started. At the Fruit Center we carry nine different Roses:

1. Vintage: 2009 Mulderbosch Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alc.: 13.5%
$$$: 11.99

Notes: Refreshingly fruit-forward, this wine is very versatile with food especially summer salads and grilled Tuna; wine critic Steve Tanzer called this wine “a very sexy rose”

2. Vintage: 2009 A to Z AVA South Oregon, USA
Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese (Grown Organically)
Alc: 13.5%
$$$: 11.99

Notes: This is a beautiful offering from Oregon’s fastest growing vineyard. Looking like Cherry flavored Cool aid that is where th similarity ends. Aromas of wild strawberries and watermelon lead to juicy fruit flavors followed by refreshing acid and a lingering crisp finish. Great with all summertime fare

3. Vintage: 2009 Cuvee des Olivers Massamier La Mignarde Languedoc, France
Grape Variety: 80% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache
Alc: 14.6%
$$$: 9.99

Notes: This Domaine has been around since Roman times. Pale pink in color with floral notes. There are fresh fruit flavors with a bit of spiciness and a long persistent finish. Would match well with a nice Lemon Sole or Coquille St. Jacques

4. Vintage 2009 Chateau du Don Jon Minervois, France
Grape Variety: 40% Syrah, 40% Cinsault, 20% Grenache
Alc: 12.5%
$$$: 12.99

Notes: This is a firmly structured rose with sweet ripe raspberry flavors that just dare you to drink more. DO NOT open this by yourself because it is too easy to finish the bottle! “One of the great wine values under$25” Robert Parker. Don’t be fooled by the luscious fruit flavors because this wine will finish bone dry. Great with chicken, sausage or ham not to mention a fruit dessert!

5. Vintage: 2009 Ferraton Cotes du Rhone Rose Samorens. France
Grape Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah and Mouvedre combination
Alc: 13%
$$$: 9.99

Notes: Rose from a major red wine producing family; fresh lively fruit flavors with lots of minerality on the finish.

6. Vintage: 2009 Planeta Rose Ssicily, Italy
Grape variety: 100% Syrah
Alc: 12%
$$$: 16.99

Notes: Debuted in 2007 this rose is an intense luminous pink inviting pink color. It is a little more full bodied with aromas of rose petals, pomegranate and wild strawberry. Don’t let the fruitiness fool you because this is perfectly balanced with plenty of acidity and finishes with a silky crispness.

Great as an aperitif or with light pasta dishes some warm octopus and potato salad would be good too!

7. 2009 Cortijo Rose Rioja, Spain
Grape Variety: 50% Garnacha, 50% Tempranillo
Alc: 12.5%
$$$: 9.99

Notes: A deep enticing pink wine with a complex bouquet of fed berries, flowers and dried herbs gives way to a zesty refreshing tastewith nice texture on the finish. Great paired with grilled swordfish

8. 2009 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence , France
Grape Variety: Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon
Alc: 13%
$$$: 9.99

Notes: winemaking family since 1748; this is classic rose : delicate,soft and subtle but has a flinty minerality that gives the wine depth and complexity which leads you to keep pouring… black olives with a crusty baguette, please!!

9. Vintage 2009 Masciarelli Rosato Montepulciano, Italy
Grape Variety: 100% Montepulciano
Alc: 12.5%
$$$: 7.99

Notes: Intense red fruit aromas give way to cherry,raspberry and strawberry flavors; a nice shrimp risotto would be good now!
This list should give you a good start on sampling some of the great Rose’s for summertime drinking
Cheers
Alan