Rosé make me blush, year round #YesWayRosé

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I am facinated by Rose wine so I am giving the definition from-which describes the product so precise and succinctly. Provence is one of the most well-known wine producing regions in the world. Provence is the largest wine region specializing in dry rosé worldwide and is a continuing rising favorite among American wine lovers. In 2012 Provence rosé wine exports to the U.S. jumped 41%. In the same year U.S. retail sales of imported rosé wines grew by 28% says Vin de Provence, sales of rose were up 40% last year.

 

Definition by Wikipedia well explains the method: A rosé (from French: rosé also known as rosado in Portugal and Spanish-speaking countries or rosato in Italy) is a type of wine that incorporates some of the color from the grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a red wine. It may be the oldest known type of wine, as it is the most straightforward to make with the skin contact method. The pink color can range from a pale "onion"-skin orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grape varieties used and winemaking techniques. There are three major ways to produce rosé wine: skin contact, saignée and blending. Rosé wines can be made still, semi-sparkling or sparkling and with a wide range of sweetness levels from bone-dry Provençal rosé to sweet White Zinfandels and blushes.

 

When rosé wine is the primary product, it is produced with the skin contact method. Black-skinned grapes are crushed and the skins are allowed to remain in contact with the juice for a short period, typically one to three days. The must is then pressed, and the skins are discarded rather than left in contact throughout fermentation (as with red wine making). The longer that the skins are left in contact with the juice, the more intense the color of the final wine.

 

When a winemaker desires to impart more tannin and color to a red wine, some of the pink juice from the must can be removed at an early stage in what is known as the Saignée (from French bleeding) method. The red wine remaining in the vats is intensified as a result of the bleeding, because the volume of juice in the must is reduced, and the must involved in the maceration becomes more concentrated. The pink juice that is removed can be fermented separately to produce rosé.

 

In other parts of the world, blending, the simple mixing of red wine to a white to impart color, is uncommon. This method is discouraged in most wine growing regions, especially in France, where it is forbidden by law, except for Champagne. Even in Champagne, several high-end producers do not use this method but rather the saignée method.

Photo Courtesy of My Refrigerator

Côtes de Provence Rosé by Hecht & Banier is a dry rose wine I sampled at Sobo Café a while back and was also introduced by wine expert, Mariam Razavi of Wines by Raz, a couple of years ago at a CITYPEEK Sip & Swirl event. The winemakers tell us they “sought a Provence rosé of immense charm and minerality redolent of fennel, anise and purple flowers. 2013 has a bit less Grenache (we might be around 30%) than 2012 and will be more on the fruit and crispy side of the Cinsault with a spicy note of Syrah.” Cost around $16.

 

Sacha Alexis Lichine,  wine entrepreneur, Château d’Esclans rosé specialist and son of the legendary wine writer-turned-wine merchant Alexis Lichine, has me hooked on two of his famous roses:

 

1. Whispering Angel a deceptively complex blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and the Provençal grape Tibouren. There are 650,000 bottles produced  a year. 

 

2. Château d’Esclans Grenache, Vermentino, Syrah, Cinsault and Tibouren. Both Average Cost around $20, less if you buy by the case. 100,000 bottles produced.

His 100% Grenache Sacha Lichine, Single Blend 2014 is a gorgeous salmon color and carries with it a soft strawberry and raspberry fruit, is also in my refrigerator. Reasonably priced under $14.

and now, another level of rose excllence

The Palm Rose, $15 SRP

 

Go ahead, try is and email me patti@citypeek .com or find me on social media: CITYPEEK Patti and let me know what you think.

Sip a glass of chilled rose and enjoy la bonne vie--the good life!

#roseallday

#yeswayrose

 

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