Posted on Thu, Aug 12, 2010
‘Tis the season for pretty pinks! While the weather is warm, there is no better time to experience the incredible thirst-quenching ability of the world’s dry Rosé wines.
Rosés are probably some of the most misunderstood wines on the shelves. For most Americans, our first taste of pink came in a sweet style by the name of White Zinfandel. Still one of the biggest selling wines in the U.S. today, “White Zin” is actually an exception to the rule. However, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, most people who prefer dry wines tend to shy away from anything pink.
The reality is that some of the driest and most sought after wines of Europe are pink in color, and they can make perfect accompaniments to a wide variety of foods. The traditional way of making a Rosé wine is to crush red grapes, and just allow the red skins a short time to sit with the juice so they absorb just a small amount of color. These wines are fruit-driven, but very dry on the palate. Loaded with crisp acidity, they can be mouthwatering and juicy. They can also come in every shade of pink you can imagine, from chartreuse to salmon to copper.
The region of Provence, France, is considered by many to be “Rosé heaven”. With the ideal Mediterranean climate, they produce a style of pink that the rest of the world continues to try to emulate. For a nice taste of Provence, look for Chateau Montaud Côtes de Provence ($11). Blended from three different red grapes (grenache, cinsault and syrah), this wine is loaded with red berry fruit and floral flavors. It is a great match to summer foods, and the decorative bottle shape makes for a lovely re-usable flower vase!
Outside of Provence, the French have a few other hidden gems in pink attire. The Loire Valley (further north), makes the famous Rosé d’Anjou wines from the red cabernet franc and gamay grapes. Try
La Clotiere Rosé d’Anjou ($10) or Remy Pannier Rosé d’Anjou ($12) for a slightly more fruit driven and easy-drinking style. Excellent wines to take on a picnic, or serve with grilled fish dishes.
Even the famous region of Bordeaux (best known for its complex reds), has a signature pink.
Chateau Penin Bordeaux Rosé ($13) is a blend of 50% merlot and 50% cabernet sauvignon grapes. This is truly an elegant pink with superb food-pairing abilities.
In Italy, pinks are called Rosatos.
Falesco Vitiano Rosato ($12) from the province of Umbria is a total winner. Made from a unique blend of red grapes (merlot, sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and aleatico), this is ideal to serve with a summer caprese salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil!
You can even find some stellar Rosé wines on American soil. Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Rosé ($14) from California, and
Dr. Frank Dry Rosé ($14) from New York are both made in the drier European style. I find these wines to pair quite well with a sunny day, a lounge chair, and a nice pool.
Posted on Wed, May 05, 2010
I have always been a fan of Italian wines. Not only can you find great values, but these wines are ultimately the best food wines you can buy. After all, an Italian winemaker MAKES wine to go with food. In Italy, to drink wine without food is the equivalent of murder!
For years, my Italian repertoire was limited to the white Pinot Grigio and the red Chianti. And between the two, there is a sea of good wine out there to choose from. But more recently, I have been searching to go off the beaten path to find some of Italian's best kept secrets, and I am happy to report that you can now find more and more of them appearing on American wine shelves today.
Italy's top three wine regions are considered to be Piedmont, Veneto and Tuscany. These regions are home to some of Italy's classiest and most sought-after wines. Piedmont lies in the northwestern corner of the country and stakes claim to the famous wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from the worshipped nebbiolo grape. Veneto, in the northeastern corner is best known for its red blends like Valpolicella and Amarone. And Tuscany, smack dab center of Italy, is the land of Chianti and Brunello, where the grape sangiovese is king. These are the wines that stud the Italian shelves across the country.
But Italy is home to over 1100 grapes! As hard as it is to believe, there are great quality wines being made in every one of Italy's 20 provinces. And the fun part is heading out into the countryside to taste them all.
First and foremost, the southern part of the country is HOT right now. Literally. Warmer climates, lots of sun, and strategically placed vineyards are cranking out some incredible stuff. Just like the cuisine, each province has its own specialties in wine.
Puglia (or Apulia in English) has intrigued me for years. Fondly referred to as "the heel of the Italian boot", Puglia has an incredible history of winemaking. Although they produce more wine than any other province, there are not as highly touted as the northern regions. For that reason, this is the place to find some hidden high quality wines at very reasonable prices.
The two big red grapes are negroamaro and primitivo. You'll find negroamaro in many of the blends from the sub-region of Salice Salento. The primitivo grape has been linked genetically to the red zinfandel grape of California.
Last night I opened a Natale Verga Primitivo 2008 ($10) with some friends. It was the epitome of a rustic, delicious Italian red. With flavors of dark cherries and chocolate, it was balanced with just the right amount of acidity to make your mouth water. Of course, it screamed for food, and food is what it got. A Mediterranean cheese platter and a bowl of freshly made hummus brought out the inherent earthiness of the Primitivo. Absolutely yummy and a great bargain!
Interestingly, we opened it next to a California Napa Valley Zinfandel, and it was amazing how different the two cousins were. The Zinfandel was more fruit-laden, concentrated and higher in alcohol, though delicious in its own right. It was unanimously decided that the Primitivo was much more food-friendly (not to mention wallet-friendly).
Tune in next time for more "Off The Beaten Path Italy".
Holly Howell
"UNCORKED!"