Last month we explored the white side of fantastic light wines. There are light wines offering more color and some of the flavors of a full-bodied red without its heaviness. Blush wines, Rosés and light bodied reds are all excellent choices for summer temps.
Though a blush or Rosé wine can be made by blending a white and a red wine, the better ones are usually made by reducing the amount of time the juice from a red wine grape stays in contact with the dark skins. A blush wine may have had only the briefest exposure to the skins and Rosé wines typically have longer contact, extracting more color and flavor. Both styles can range from fully dry to semi-sweet.
What style of wine shines when fully chilled, pairs wonderfully with many foods and has been improving in quality while staying affordable? Rosé, Rosé, Roe-zay! We’re not talking about Lancers and Matúse from back-in-the-day or about the sweet blush wines like White Zinfandel or White Merlot.
The Rosé wines to investigate are elegant, complex and flavorful while being easy going enough that they don’t demand your attention. These Rosés are suitable for a picnic or a more formal meal due to their inherent food-friendliness. They are pleasant quaffing wines equally suited for conversation in the cool shade of a tree on a hot afternoon. Ranging from dry to off-dry, Rosé wines are fresh, fruity and refreshingly acidic showing enticing flavors of cherry, melon and berry, showing a bit of depth and light complexity.
Rosé wines are made from many grape varieties including Grenache, Cinsault, Shiraz/Syrah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Malvasia, Mouvérdre and Pinot Noir. Frequently they are a blend of several of these varietals. The color and flavors of the wine depend upon which grapes are used and how long the skins are left in contact with the juice.
Cabernet Sauvignon is not a common choice for a Rosé, but the Carlos Basso 2006 from Mendoza, Argentina is one tasty vino. Its attractive bright red color announces the strawberry and cherry flavors that finish with refreshing, bright acidity accompanied by persistent, but delicate, ripe fruit aromas. It is slightly off-dry and surprisingly rich.
Representing Spain, the Gran Fuedo Rosé is a bit lighter, but still has nice fruit and a subtle complexity of flavors. The Fuedo will pair well with light sandwiches and would be spot-on for sipping and conversation.
The Waters Winery is offering a dry, Bordeaux grape blend that has even more elegance and sophistication. Though a bit higher in price, it is still a good value in today’s world of fine wine.
There are light red wines available from all over the world. Beaujolais from France, Italy’s Valpolicella or Dolcetto and lighter Grenache wines are examples of good warm weather reds. Brief chilling in the ‘frige can make them more refreshing, but be careful to not over do it.
No matter which style you choose, you’re likely to find great summer wines if you’ll just join the adventure and experiment a little. Good hunting!
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Credit | scene7.com
