Christie Kiley on July 6, 2015 0 Comments This season, rosé wine is all the rage. Time to go out and find a case or two for yourself for these warm months ahead. At times it is hard-going trying to find that perfect rosé. Many people think rosés are all the same. However, I find it to be quite the opposite. Some can be pretty light and basic with the atypical notes of fresh summer berries and a candy finish and not much more than that. Others are on the heavy side, almost a desert wine, full of candied-strawberries and watermelon with a finish that just clings to your palate like a sweet juice and leaves you thirsty. These rosés are full of berries, stone fruits and flowers and are light on the palate with a lingering finish of spring blossom. These rosés make your mouth water for another sip. Picking a Quality Rosé Personally, I find a good rosé being one of a dry style, similar to that of a light-bodied white wine. A rosé with light-body, light fruit and some crisp acidity is the perfect wine for hot summer afternoons when you are in the mood for a small picnic out on the patio. Anything heavier just does not do at chilled temperatures, which is why you want a wine on a hot afternoon in the first place. If you like similar rosé wines, here is how you might be able to pick one out on the shelf. They say you should not judge a book by its cover. However, in regards to rosé, I typically do. For a dry wine, look for one that is pale in color. I have found that the majority of rosé wine that looks like candy will taste and have the texture of candy. Some may like this–and I am not saying these rosés are bad–but this is not what I personally enjoy. The next thing to do is to check the alcohol level. An alcohol level of 14% or less is ideal. This is a sign you’ve probably picked a lighter and drier style. Styles of Rosé A rosé with higher alcohol means the grapes were high in sugars when they were harvested. The alcohols which are fermented with this fruit are typically heavier on the palate. Even though there may be no sugar in the wine, the wine will leave you with a sweeter sensation on your palate. For these wines, you will want to serve them at a warmer temperature than you might do with a Sauvignon Blanc. Wines with lower alcohol also tend to have lighter and crisper acidity. These acids have a tendency to bring out other layers in fruits, floral essences and more on the bouquet and in the taste. They also tend to make your mouth water and pair nicely with the picnic foods you might have on a hot afternoon, such as prosciutto, salami, a light goat cheese, summer melon, strawberries and so on. The fattiness and saltiness of these foods are cut by the acidity of the rosé, making for enhanced flavors of these lovely snacks. If you still have trouble finding a good rosé wine, allow me to give you a push in the right direction. 2014 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé For this week, I pick the 2014 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé from the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence of France. The estate has been around since the 13th century, so they surely know how to make a great wine. It was originally owned by the Count of Les Baux the Arbaud de Bargemon and Thomassin Bargemon, hence the name of the property. It was owned by the family for centuries but was finally purchased in 1968 by Jean-Pierre Rozan. The vineyard was subsequently replanted under his ownership with choice grapes of Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault. They only farm using natural and organic methods and they are consistently working towards their organic certification. Each year they work towards implementing new practices in farming and vinification that are healthy for the environment and those which give more quality and depth to their already award-winning wines. The blend of the wine is of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, a classic blend for rosé wine from Provence. The color of the wine is light pink with a hue of cherry. The nose leads into nice, fresh wild strawberries and even a note of peach and red grapefruit. A sip of this rosé is instantly refreshing–almost pretty. There are some grapefruit notes in the taste, followed by the strawberry and some summer melon. This will make for a perfect summer wine when you’re in the mood for picnicking.
