05.25.06

Pink Wines Making a Come Back

Posted in Wine at 8:21 pm by spryken

Originally posted on WineWiki, 02/07/2006

Do you remember the Pink Wines? You know the White Zinfadel and Grenche. Sweet, almost cloying wines. The wines that people love to hate, now. I’ve heard the snickers and seen the smirks. What self-respecting wine lover would ever drink pink wine?
But Pink Wines are making a come back. No, not the white zins, but the Dry Rose’. I have enjoyed dry Rose’ wine for many years. Often enduring the misguided snickers and disdain of the misinformed. But I now see that there are more Rose’ in the stores.

A misunderstood wine, the Rose’ can be sweet but usually is dry. I have had some that were “bone dry�, crisp and refreshing ice-cold. Lovely as an Apertif or with grilled seafood. Some of the best were Tavel from Rhone. When I suggested Rose’ for some wine friends, I got the “Pink Wine� look and questions. Isn’t it sweet? How can you drink it? But when I finally convinced them to try it, they were hooked. Now, they are always looking for a new Rose’. And I can’t blame them.

There are some really good new Rose’ out there. Winemakers are working on varietal Rose’. I’ve seen Barbera Rose’ and Shiraz Rose’. Both fruity but not sweet. While not as dry and crisp and the Tavel Rose’, still very good with seafood and served ice-cold.

I think that is what is appealing about dry Rose’. It can be served ice-cold. It is dry, crisp and refreshing. It makes a perfect summer wine. During the summer here in the Raleigh, NC area, I attend summer outdoor concerts with a group of friends. As is typical with these outdoor concerts, we bring a picnic to share. There is almost always 1 or 2 bottles of Rose’. It is so refreshing!! And it goes with almost all picnic food. Of course, we all have to try and out do everyone else with the food, so we get some high end food, not the typical fried chicken.

With the summer approaching, I for one am glad to see the Pink Wines. It is time for me to stock up on my favorites and seek out some new offerings. My favorite has been and continues to be the Tavel Rose’ Canto Perdrix.

So, if you haven’t tried a Pink Wine recently, don’t hesitate. You may be surprised!

Permalink