For me, spring and summer means lots of dry rosés . BC makes some amazing dry rosés that I've gotten people who hate either reds/whites/roses to drink and enjoy. This was a really popular tasting and will hopefully hold a rosé - part deux in summer! We tasted the wines blind and in pairs that would hopefully highlight or contrast certain characteristics.
1. Gazela - Vinho Verde Rosé - Portugal - $9.49 (BC Liquor)
Vino Verde (green grape) is a wine from Portugal usually light, fresh with a little fizz and made from a blend of local varieties. They come in white and rosé versions, are usually cheap and go great with breakfast or brunch depending on your mood. This was refreshing with delicate red fruit notes. A good palate cleanser between the richer rosés.
2. Beringer - White Zinfandel - California - 2014 - $8.79 (BC Liquor)
This is blush at it's best, or as we called it in Whistler "cougar juice". Cheap simple off-dry to sweet rosé. Unfortunately this is what most people still assume most rosé wine is like which is obviously not true. This popular (for this style) one tasted like red berry juice with a side of cream. Off-dry, fruity, simple, and can be made into a cocktail with peach schnapps if there is absolutely nothing else to drink.
3. Spy Valley - Pinot Noir Rosé - New Zealand - 2015 - $21.99 (BC Liquor)
Most rosé from New Zealand will be Pinot based. This one tricked a few of the blind tasters into thinking it was french. Not all the grapes were allowed to sit on their skins allowing to keep this pale colour. It was the palest of our flight and had notes of light strawberry a bit of peaches, with a nice minerality to it and a floral note in the background.
4. Baillie Grohman - Blanc de Noirs Rosé - Okanagan - 2015 - $22.00 (Swirl Wine)
I paired this with the NZ rosé for a few reasons; both 100% Pinot Noir, their contrast in colour, both 2015, and the BC one was also made by a NZ winemaker! This wine spent 3 1/2 days with skin contact giving it the rich dark colour to it. Also giving it a rich texture to it and an added depth to the palate. It had nice notes of pomegranate, cranberry, raspberry, and a nice floral note. Dry, full body, and a bit of tannin.
Serendipity - Curiosity Often Leads To Trouble Rosé - Okanagan - 2014 - $19.12 (Swirl Wine)
Inspired by the old world this rose had 24 hours of skin contact which gives it it's dark rich colour and flavour. This wine is a blend of 40% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Pinot Noir. It has aromas of a tart strawberry rhubarb pie with some raspberry and floral notes on the palate. It is bone dry, medium+ body with high acidity to give it it's mouth watering texture.
Hester Creek - Cabernet Franc Rosé - Okanagan - 2015 - $17.99 (BC Liquor)This rich Cab Franc rosé had 12 hours maceration the skins has a beautiful texture in the mouth. 2015 was one of the warmest on record ripening all grapes to proper sugar levels. This wine had aromas of raspberry and cranberry. The palate has ripe strawberry and some black pepper but is dry and fresh with a great mouth feel. Hester Creek's regular Cab Franc is also quite delicious
Domaine Houchart - Côtes de Provence - France - 2015 - $17.49 (BC Liquor)
The fancy bottle is a signature of Provence wines; where 4/5's of the wine they make are these usual pale rosés. It is popular on the french coast served to the tourists with their with their lunch or as an aperitif . This wine is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has faint aromas of orange blossom, almost ripe strawberry and a lingering hint of wet stone and spice. Dry, soft and delicate.
Domaine Lafond - Tavel Roc-Epine - France - 2014 - $23.99 (BC Liquor)
Tavel is one of the other famous rosé appellations and it can be found in the southern Rhone. Only rosés can be made there and they are usually dry full bodied and dominated by Grenache and Cinsault. This one is a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 15% Cinsault. On the nose you'll find cherries, strawberries, watermelon, and a nice floral note. Rich and full-bodied with a mineral note on the palate but needs time to open up, so a pull from the fridge and decant for 20-25 mins.
Thanks for reading, and happy sippin'
Stay tuned for my part 2 with the Summer Rosé Sipper coming soon......
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