Marla Cimini on June 29, 2016 0 Comments Summertime barbeques are often associated with sizzling cheeseburgers and frosty mugs of beer, but a casual cookout is also an ideal opportunity to sip and savor a glass of refreshing rosé wine while feasting on an array of grilled specialties. Rosé features the high acidity, moderate alcohol and delicate flavors of a white wine that is combined with the rounder fruit and body of a red wine, allowing deeper rosé wines to pair well with robust spices of barbeque, while lighter rosé wines are a delightful accompaniment to summer vegetables and seafood. Although red wine is a traditional accompaniment to meat dishes, dry rosé is considered an incredibly versatile varietal, and can complement a multitude of menu items. A barbecue is a chance to pair rosé with grilled fish (including salmon and shrimp); as well as vegetables, fruit and costal cuisines, such as Mediterranean dishes and Spanish tapas. Also, this pink-hued beverage matches well with mild cheeses (such as goat and feta) and fresh summer salads mixed with tomatoes, arugula and Parmesan. Even the traditional barbeque fare, including burgers, ribs, sausages and steaks, can be enhanced by a crisp glass of rosé. In contrast to the rich, smoky tastes associated with grilled offerings, a dry rosé wine will provide refreshing, fruity flavors. A rosé wine can be made from any red grape in sweet or dry styles, with varying levels of acidity. These tips will help you when choosing a rosé wine for your next grilling get-together. Experiment: The Fun is in the Research As rosé wines can range from dry to sweet, wine drinkers should explore a few different types to determine which style they enjoy the most. As with any wine, it’s best to taste several options before including it as a menu pairing. Use the five S’s— see, swirl, sniff, sip and savor — to learn what pairs best with your favorite foods. Fortunately, a wide selection of good bottles of rosé are available at price points between $10 and $20 — so perfect for budget-friendly experimentation. Revealing Colors of Rosé The color of rosé wines can range from pale blush to decidedly deeper shades. A lighter color reveals that the wine is lighter in body, while those that are darker are usually fuller bodied. If you usually choose light wines (like pinot grigio), it’s best to look for a lighter rosé, or choose a fuller-bodied rosé if you prefer a buttery, barreled chardonnay. Staying Current: Choose A Young Wine Most rosés are generally made to be enjoyed young, as they don’t improve with extended bottle age. It’s best to select a bottle of a current vintage for this summer, so keep an eye out for 2014 or 2015 vintages. Keep it Casual: Serve Anytime! The good news is that rosé can be served throughout your barbeque. It can easily stand alone as a pre-barbeque cocktail, or be served at the beginning of a meal with appetizers. This wine’s light body and good acidity means it can work with fish and poultry, but the best rosés also have structure. Like red wine, rosé can stand up to the flavors of grilled chicken, burgers and steak. Sip a Glass of Sparkling Pouring a sparkling rosé is also a viable option at a summer soirée. According to winemaker Elise Losfelt, of Moet & Chandon, sparkling rosé is great paired with a number of menu offerings. “Typically, red wine dominates meat dishes, but Rosé Champagne has the structure and body to complement the flavors of meat, allowing you to enjoy both your dish and Champagne, without one overpowering the other. Beef, veal, lamb, pork and duck are all excellent with Moet & Chandon Rosé Imperial or Moet & Chandon Grand vintage 2008 rosé. Some surprising pairings are burgers, fries or rich barbecue sauce — as well as the spicy, fresh flavors in curry and Thai cuisine.” Know Your Audience: Buy More Than One Bottle If you are personally hosting a BBQ or outdoor event, you know your family and friends better than anyone! It’s always a good idea to choose a few different types of rosé, so that your guests can decide their favorite as well. And what’s better than a chilled rosé to share in the sunshine and spark good conversation? Advice From the Experts: Experiment & Explore Wine experts agree that rosé wines can be extremely versatile, offering a multitude of opportunities to be creative with your barbeque menu. Pamela Wiznitzer, Ruffino wine mixologist says: “Drink them on their own, or pair them with just about everything, from delicate seafood dishes to rich cheese and sauces. Match color to body: pair the lighter rosés with more delicate dishes (like salads, flaky fish and shellfish), and the darker rosés with richer dishes (like blue cheese, charcuterie and grilled sausage and pork). Depending on the body, dryness or sweetness, you can enjoy a glass of rosé with a wide range of summer dishes — and beyond.” Andréa McBride, co-founder of Truvée Wines, offers some advice as well: “The key to learning about wine is tasting, so try out new wines you haven’t had before and keep educating your palette until you learn what you like. While wine is excellent enjoyed on its own, food can really elevate a wine’s flavors — so don’t be afraid to experiment with food pairings and don’t limit yourself to rigid rules like ‘red wine with meat and white wine with fish.’ You’ll surprise yourself!” Philippe Guigal, winemaker at E. Guigal adds: “There are excellent rosé wines made all over the world today, so have fun exploring. But have high standards and think about what you’re tasting and note your favorite producers. Lastly, part of the fun of wine is even when you’ve found something you like, it’s a joy to keep exploring.” Rosé Wine Suggestions for Summer Truvée Rosé 2015 This fruit-forward floral pink wine from California’s central coast combines the Rhone varieties grenache and syrah. With strawberry, raspberry and floral aromas, the wine offers notes of wild berry and lemon with a crisp, dry finish. E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2014 Well-balanced and elegant with notes of red fruits, E. Guigal’s 2014 Cotes du Rhone rosé is a blend of grenache, cinsault and syrah grapes. Medium-bodied, it offers sweet cherry, strawberry, honeysuckle and Provencal herb characteristics. Ruffino Sparkling Rosé 2015 This fragrant, light wine offers elegant bubbles and notes of strawberries accented with hints of rose petals. This vintage is made from Italian grapes — including glera blended with pinot noir. Mouton Cadet Rosé 2015 Crisp and fruity with hints of strawberry and raspberry, this wine features a blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon grapes sourced from a variety of Bordeaux appellations. Moet & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV Primarily made from Pinot Noir grapes, this rosé is fruity and light, with a long finish of strawberries and sour cherries. Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008 Rosé Featuring a strong character, this wine fruit-forward rosé offers subtle notes of fresh berries, red currant, kumquat and ginger.
