Rosé Wine Tasting: Round 1

This past Tuesday evening (May 20) our wine tasting group gathered on a wooded knoll on the grounds of the Unitarian Church off Lincoln Drive to sample an array of delightful rosé wines from around the world.  It was a pleasant evening to toast the impending Memorial Holiday weekend and the summer season.

We started off with my favorite "house" rosé, Jean-Luc Colombo's "Cape Bleue" which at about $13  a bottle (and widely available in PA, NJ & DE) is hard to beat for a intoxicatingly aromatic, fresh and fruity Provencal rosé with a intriguing hint of spice.

Next up was what many consider to be the finest Provencal rosé with the ethereal moniker of "Whispering Angel" from the D'Esclans estate.  Bone-dry with a firm, fleshy backbone, it certainly captivates the eye, not to mention the taste buds, with the most gorgeous pale pink hue.  This was a favorite of many tasters in the group.

The third selection was a 100% Grenache from Sonoma County, California. This 2012 Komomo was distinctive for its minerality, and more astringent, even earthy or musty aspects, as well as a notable watermelon aroma.  The more it breathed, the more it opened up and developed further with a long, lingering finish.  It scored top marks for at least one wine aficionado in our group.

We next moved onto two Pinot Noir rosés, the first from the Willamette Valley in Oregon (Adelsheim) and the second from the renowned Sancerre appellation in France - Thomas-Labaille "L'Authentique".  While both are of excellent quality and would be great choices for all you Pinot Noir lovers, the French wine edged out the Oregonian in our group's estimation with its complex palate of herbs, minerality and racy acidity.  The Adelsheim, by comparison, exhibits a lovely bouquet of white flowers and orange blossom along with typical strawberry notes.

The evening ended with something completely different : an Israeli wine from Galilee vinified from Barbera and Merlot grapes.  Distinctively darker and cherry-red in color, it was notable for its of aromas of cherries, pomegranate and white flowers. Slightly tannic and light to medium bodied and invitingly aromatic, it nonetheless finished somewhat short and abruptly.

Overall, the favorites were the "Whispering Angel" and the Sancerre, which are definitely worth the few extra bucks - typically about $20 a bottle.

1. Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2013

Varietals: 67% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre

Classification: Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP)

Production/Tasting Notes: Dry, but with deceptively sweet notes; fresh, aromatic, fruity bouquet with spicy notes;  complex flavors of fresh raspberries, cherries; hint of black olive; elegant finish with touch of spice.

Food pairings:  fish (fresh coho salmon, for example), poultry, vegetarian fare; also great as an apéritif

12.5 % Alcohol

2. Whispering Angel Caves D'Esclans 2012

                   

Varietal: Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino), Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren

Classification: Appellation Côtes de Provence Contrôlée

Production/Tasting Notes: Vinified in stainless steel tanks; “batônnage” twice weekly; singularly gorgeous pale pink in color; appealingly fresh fragrance of light summer fruits (rapsberry, strawberry, cranberry); cherry nuances; firm, fleshy structure on the palate; firm texture and fine dry finish;

(World's Greatest Provençal Rosé? - you decide!)

Food pairings:  your favorite summertime Provençal fare

13 % Alcohol

3. Komomo Grenache Rose 2012 (Pauline's Vineyard)

                   

Varietals: 100% Grenache

Classification/Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California

Production/Tasting Notes: 100% stainless steel fermentation; watermelon, strawberry, red cherry aromas; hints of minerality; long, lingering finish

Food pairings: Mediterranean fare

13.1 % Alcohol

          

4. Adelsheim Rosé 2013

                   

Varietal:  100% Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Production/Tasting Notes: Saignée method (portion of juice bled off from Pinot Noir fermenter 6-12 hours after filled with grapes); slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks; 12% fermented in older, neutral French oak barrels; bottled 2/24/14; fresh strawberry, raspberry aromas, hint of vanilla bean, orange blossom, white flowers; rich well-textured palate

Food pairings: Mediterranean style dishes, bouillabaisse; grilled shrimp; goat cheese, ham and poultry entrees

13.5% Alcohol

5. Thomas-Labaille “l'Authentique” Rosé 2013

                

Classification: Appellation Sancerre Contrôlée

Varietal: (old vine) Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes:  Mineral-driven nose and palate typical of Loire wines;  ripe strawberry backed by racy acidity; also notes of sweet herbs on the palate

Food pairings: Fresh goat cheese; salmon baked with herbs; fish tacos with avocado and cilantro

Alcohol: 12.5%

6. Recanati Rosé 2013

                   

Varietals: 70% Barbera, 30% Merlot

Region: Galilee, Israel

Production/Tasting Notes:  Unirrigated Manara vineyard; cherry red color; light-medium body; aromas of crushed strawberries, pomegranate, white  flowers, raspberry, cherry; balanced acidity; light tannins; mouth-filling; crisp, refreshing

Food pairings: Grilled fish, seafood; spicier fare

       12.5% Alcohol

Tasting Preview: Everything is Coming up Rosés

My next class will feature rosé wines.  The June 3rd class is already sold out, but there are a few spaces left for the May 20th class (next Tuesday).  Sign up at the following link:

https://learningtree.ccwis.com/CourseStatus.awp?&course=14SCK07A


There was time in the not too distant past when rosé wine brought to mind cheap, sweet, low quality, mass-produced pink plonk from Portugal whose empty bottles served as candle-holders in university dorm rooms- I'm looking at you Mateus and Lancers! It's a whole new world these days where there has been a virtual revolution in the variety, availability and provenance of this previously maligned style of wine.

So if you're one of those who hasn't sipped a rosé since your college days, this course is for you. We will be sampling a wide range of rosés from several different countries, vinified from any number of different grape varietals and featuring styles from light and fragrant to complex and full-bodied. These will include wines from France, California, Oregon and Israel.  The wines are vinified from  Pinot Noir, Grenache, Barbera, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc and other varietals. The latest vintages are now arriving in wine shops across the tri-state region so it's a very good time to get out there and start sampling.  Many of the wines I will feature are available at PA State Stores, and the one at 12th & Chestnut Sts. in Philadelphia has an especially strong selection. Just ask Max for some recommendations.

There is nothing like a cool, refreshing glass of fine rosé to usher in the summer season. Please join us as we explore the new and exciting world of rosé wine!