La Vie en Rosé
- adrienne490
- Jan 27, 2017
- 4 min read
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Many thought a few summers ago that rosé wines were having a moment, a brief and, albeit, shining moment in the sun. Simply a summertime fad that would disappear just as quickly and everyone would soon get back to consuming their same-old summertime staples of cold beer or frozen margaritas.
But such has not been the case. Rosé sales are still going strong. Previous arguments from serious oenophiles were that rosé was too “juicy,” too sweet. Just a mediocre mixture of red and white varietals.
According to Forbes magazine back in 2015,
"Trendy or not, it is much easier to like rosé wines nowadays as they are both fresher and drier in style. They are more and more present on the dining table. The producers themselves recommend rosé wines with everything from Asian cuisine to charcuterie, veal and chicken. The aromas of red berries are still prevalent in rosé wines but as the structure is better and the acidity fresher they seem less juicy and more like a “real” wine."
While 2016 sales figures may not be finalized, by all accounts sales of rosé wine have exploded in general, but particularly at the higher end of the market, as is the overall trend in the alcohol industry. Wine drinkers are choosing quality over quantity.
Produced in Italy and Spain, as well as France, rosé has been popular year-round in Europe for a very long time, but not so here in the States. For various reasons, but due in large part to its being made from a mixture of reds and whites, not one specific grape, consistency in both color and taste can be elusive.
The Provence region of France is a strong supplier. Over 90% of Provence’s grape production is rosé. One standout is Whispering Angel, produced by Caves d’Esclans, recently featured in the 2016 June/July issue of Town & Country. The name alone intrigued me as I searched for something special to bring to a friend’s birthday barbeque last summer. It would certainly be a magnificently romantic choice for a Valentine's Day celebration.
At $20 it was a bit more than I typically spend on a wine, but I viewed the investment not only as being a gift, but a critical social experiment as well. Dinner consisted of a variety of grilled meats and salmon. I would say that the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive, even from those who fully expected to hate it. As my one friend gushed, “it tastes like heaven in a bottle.” Maybe it was the adorable little cherubs on the label? Either way, pretty high praise. I’ve certainly never said that about my beloved tequila.
For those who’d like to experiment at a lower price point, there are also some California roses that rank high, including Lazy Creek Vineyard Rosé from Pinot Noir and the Adelaida 2015 Estate Rosé . Napa’s Lorenza Rosé is super popular, too. Typically these run in the $10-15 a bottle range.
Searching for something pink and sparkling for Valentine's Day, a bridal shower, or other special event? Washington State's 2012 Gruet Cuvée Danielle Grand Rosé, Méthode Champenoise Vintage Sparkling Wine is a good choice. Well priced at $39 it is subtly sweet and goes well with both savory foods and sweet desserts. A higher priced option would be the stellar Veuve Cliquot Rosé Champagne at $75, my favorite champagne house, where I think you can never go wrong. Have either delivered directly to your door here http://amzn.to/2j3pOJf
Closer to home on Long Island, one of New York’s strongest and most interesting wine producing regions, Wolffer Estate Vineyard has established itself as a preeminent producer of rosé. Their collection includes the Grandioso Rosé, the Summer in a Bottle Rosé (I’m a sucker for a beautiful bottle/label design so this is a winner for me), shown above, and their latest, the Finca Wolffer Rosé. All top-ranked wines by a leader in the New York winemaking industry. Visit www.wolffer.com for more info.
Also in New York, wildly successful rosé-themed events have taken place and are slated to be held again in 2017. One, La Nuit en Rosé (Pink Night) takes place aboard a chartered yacht cruise along the Hudson River and showcases over 80 rosé wines from 50+ vineyards in almost a dozen countries. Another, the Pinknic Festival, held on Governor’s Island, was sponsored by Caves d’Esclans and Moet & Chandon in 2016 and enjoyed a massive turnout. It will return again for two days in June to launch another summer of rosé.
I plan to attend both events this year, and more, so I look forward to sharing my continued "research" with you!
If you'd like to deepen your knowledge of rosé wines, I suggest the upcoming release Rosé Wine: The Guide to Drinking Pink. Preorder now at http://amzn.to/2j3cnJ6
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