Tales From The Cellar

Rosés: Last call

Interest in Rosé wines has never been higher.  Judging from sales of the last couple of vintages, Rosé has supplanted Beaujolais Nouveau as “the seasonal” wine.

While perfectly suited to sipping at the backyard BBQ, don’t underestimate Rosé’s versatility. Try with roast turkey or chicken, simple pan-seared fish, soups, and starters. Heck, I’ve enjoyed it right out of a brown paper bag!

Here are some of my favorites from the 2010 vintage:

Two properties I visited in France earlier this year make dynamite Rosés. Domaine de Fondrèche ($12.99) is on the picturesque foothills of Mount Ventoux.  Bio-dynamic farming. Beautiful light pink hue, hints of peachy fruit with surprising punch/hangtime. Mas des Bressades ($10.99) is one of my favorite estates in Costieres de Nîmes. Aromas and flavors of hard candy, flowers and wild strawberries. Lovely.

I had lunch a few months ago with the talented, young winemaker Cristiano Garella of Azienda Agricola Sella from northern Piedmont and his Rosé was quite a discovery. His “Majoli” bottling ($17.99) is a Rosé made from 100% Nebbiolo. Importer Oliver McCrum writes: “The wine shows perfumes of pomegranate and watermelon, with echoes of licorice and Rosé petal. Substantial and intense with a pleasing ‘crunchiness.’”

I liked what I found when I discovered the H&M Hofer Zweigelt Rosé ($17.99) from Austria at a tasting. Don’t let the light, delicate color fool you. Surprisingly intense. Tasty.

Château de Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé ($15.99) imported by legendary importer Kermit Lynch is our best-selling Rosé – vintage in, vintage out. Tavel is the only A.O.C. entirely made up of Rosé, which prohibits any whites or reds from wearing the label of this Southern Rhone cru.

Howard Padgett Imported Wine Buyer