Thanksgiving Wine Series: The many faces of Rosé
I am having a love affair.
Its been going on for about 2 years now, and with every season things between us just get hotter and hotter.
At first I thought it was just a summer fling. But then fall rolled around, and instead of cooling off – well, things got warm and spicy. By winter it was a full-fledged romance, and I couldn’t imagine anything my new love wouldn’t go well with. The more we got to know each other, the more complex, interesting and darn-right likable my love became.
I am having a love affair with Rosé.
Rosé has not always been the “trendy” pick. Rosé gets its moment in the sun during the summer, when its fruity likability makes it a shoo-in for backyard barbecues and porch sippin’.
But Rosé has only recently started to receive its due as a wine that can be served at any time of the year, with a variety of dishes, and without the shame of drinking “the pink stuff.”
Many domestic wineries have taken up producing Rosé - from Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and of course an incredible array of blends. These wineries have created the Many Faces of Rosé – from dry and off-dry all the way to very sweet wines you can serve as dessert!
I have a few favorites, of course, that I would definitely recommend here. But the fact is, you have to have your own love affair with Rosé – as juicy as mine has been, I can’t make you fall in love.
But there are a few Rosés that I’d like you to meet. Whether you are a fan of dry wines, or sweet, whether you prefer to serve Rosé with dinner, as dessert, or all by itself (it has the chops to stand up to the pressure), think of these suggestions as “blind dates”. You may not fall in love, but you’ll certainly have a few stories to tell!
Here are some of my favorite “Grown-up” Rosés, just in time for Thanksgiving get-togethers and family dinners!
On the dry spectrum:
Paradisos del Sol Rosé Paradiso
$14.00
This dry rose is an unusual blend
of Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemberger,
Sangiovese and Merlot.
Billsboro Winery Dry Rosé
$14.00
A wonderfully versatile rose with
no residual sugar, this wine
refreshes the palate with notes
of ripe black cherry and fig.
Clos LaChance Wines
Pink Throated Brilliant Rosé
$14.00
Classic, European-style rosé
with flavors of fresh strawberries
and raspberries with just a touch
of minerality.
Getting’ a little sweeter…
Trio Vintners Tre Rosé - $16.00
Notes of cherry pie and rhubarb are
very prominent as flavors give way
to red apple peel and pomegranate.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Pinot Noir Rosé - $17.50
This elegant rosé is made from
clusters of Pinot Noir hand-picked
by the winemaker. The result?
Fruity, floral, delightful.
C.G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery
Rosé Di Arie - $18.00
Made from a blend of Tempranillo
and Syrah, expect flavors of
grapefruit and apricot with a
lingering finish.
Holiday Rosé Tip:
Rosé provides an excellent base for mulled spice wine! Many wineries sell their own special blend of mulling spices, or you can find them at your local specialty stores. Pour into a crock pot with cranberry juice and a stick of cinnamon and allow to heat and steep for 2 hours. The perfect air-freshener and party cocktail for your upcoming open house or holiday party!
