a-Ring-a-Ring-of-Rosés

Join me on a round up of World Wine Blogging Wednesday 9th edition, in which gobal wine enthusiasts tasted Rosés and shared their tasting notes online. 41 bottles were opened, two of which remain in the fridge unloved and rejected. Most people, however, have been pleasantly suprised that rosés can, in fact, be quite something. Even the guys who thought they might prefer to never be seen drinking something so rosy, have softened and come round to my pink way of thinking!



Here you will find good and not-so-good reviews of Rosé wines from many different countries (France and the UA being the most popular) without a single mention of Mateus or White Zinfandel. This post should be your first stop if you are wondering which rose should I buy?

Starting with the Sparklers
The Caveman had me longing for a glass of bubbly when he described the end result of drinking Bugey Cerdon, Méthode ancestrale, Raphael Bartucci as demi-sec bliss.

Culinary Fool made a smart move when she chose to taste a 1999 Argyle Brut Rosé to accompany of spot of dining al fresco. Join her for a Sunday afternoon accented with a rush of sweet, summer cherries.

I like the Kitchen Queens. I have a feeling they know how to live very well. But why didn't they invite me around to join them? Don't they know that Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé is one of my favourite champagnes?

I apologize profusely to Rachael and her Fresh Approach Cooking for originally ommitting the description of her romance with a bottle of Sterling Family's 1998 Iron Horse Vineyards Brut Rose. How could I possibly have missed a wine she describes as stupendous, delicious and extra girly to drink, [earning] five air kisses out of five.


Argentina
mā'ona is Hawaiian for 'satisfied after eating; to eat one's fill'. When it comes to drinking, Alan admits this 2004 Crios de Susana Balbo Rosé of Malbec is nothing to be ashamed about either.

Staying in South America the choice for both Sarah at The Delicious Life and The Budget Sommelier was the 2004 Vida Organica Malbec Rose from Familia Zuccardi purchased at Wholefoods. One of them declares I don’t think you’ll find a more summery, refreshing rosé that actually has some character to it for this value price whilst the other was less keen, admitting half the bottle is still sitting *for shame, for shame* on the top shelf of my fridge.

Australia
Down in Oz, Eat Stuff have actually been drinking for a change. And two bottles, nonetheless. They liked the Jacobs Creek Shiraz Rose Vintage 2004 more than the Wolf Blass Eaglehawk 2004, reminding us all that in the Southern Hemisphere it's nearer the end, than the start, of the Rosé Season.

Appellation Australia tried the Charles Melton “Rose of Virginia” 2004 and then described it as a great wine to take chilled on a picnic or to have with slightly spicy Asian food.

Austria
The Caveman's second wine today is a sweet one he recommends pairing with chocolate. Zweigelt Rosé 1998, TBA, Nouvelle Vague, Kracher is a little on the pricey side. Because he describes it as truly bizarre and burnt bar-b-q chicken with an unctuous texture, I am not sure it will be one of my own future investments.

France
Bill of the WLW-WineGeek.com blog tasted a Mas des Bressades Costières de Nimes 2004 of which he remarked, upon the first taste, my mind immediately raced to the words "wine cooler."

Based in Canada,The Caveman's third and final offering for this global wine tasting was a Coteaux-du-languedoc 2004, Pic St-Loup, Château de Lancyre which he recommends simmering with shallots and herbs. Visit his site to see why.

Over in Cafe Benjata they have been drinking a bottle of 2002 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose. Whilst just the thought of it reminds me of last Summer in Provence, at the Cafe Benjata it demands garlic and anchovy butter and fresh herbs…

From Oswego Tea in Germany we have another French choice, the Chateau La Commanderie de Queyret Bordeaux Rosé 2003. Michele explains I am new to Rosé, and the flavour of this one did not strike me at all.

Can I take all the credit for helping Mia at Nosh discover Domaine du Gouyat 2004 Bergerac Rosé which she describes as possibly one of the best wines I have ever tasted? Aw, go on, let me...

Meg, in Paris, is one of Too Many Chefs who chose to drink a Cuvée Lou Coutri for this WBW, finding it dry, with a little bit of a berry depth. Meg summarises her attitude to rosés just like I might: Gone are the days when it just meant a sweet drink for teenagers and maiden ladies unused to proper wine. Let's hear it for pink power!

Another wine drinker who transports me back to Provence is Marta who sends us a Postcard from Tavel. Her choice of Chateau de Trinquevedel Rosé 2002 felt, she said, like summer.

Christian over at Turn The Screw tried the seductive sounding Oriel 'Femme Fatale' Bordeaux Rosé 2003. He concludes, definitley not what I envision straight-away when thinking of rosé, but most certainly an interesting alternative to the Provençal standard that I love and sell.

Lady Amalthea, a New Yorker in Paris with a blog called Noshes, Thoughts & Reves preferred her bottle of clean, crisp, slightly sweet and [with] almost no aftertaste the Domaine de la Berthete Cotes du Rhone Rosé, as an apperetif, before dinner.

What is a Winecast? Well, it is a Wine Podcast. What is a podcast? An online audio programme. Thankfully Tim wrote some notes to help me with the round up (because I am not sure that in my WBW hosting contract it says that I agree to take dictation from an audio file!) He chose three pink wines to review, two of which were French. The first of these was Les Vignerons de Montblanc, Syrah Rose, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Thongue 2003 which he described as a rose center with nice pink edges, watermelon candy nose, nice flavor intensity of light red berries, dry and refreshing. The other, a Cuvee Catherine, Rose d’Anjou 2002, was a bit bitter on the finish. He noted drink ASAP as the wine is past it’s prime.



Italy
Ha, ha ha! You'll just have to go and see how Basic Juice eloquently shared his thoughts on Tasca D’Almerita Rosé di Regaleali Rosato IGT, ’02 with us.

The Cork Dork ws unaware that they made good rosés in Italy. But then, thanks to WBW, he found the Bardolino Chiaretto, Corte Gardoni 2003 and promptly bought 8 more bottles the next day. I am going to have to check it out!


New Zealand
Barbara of winosandfoodies.com based in Auckland, chose an Esk Valley wine for this tasting. She concluded it was nice, but not as good as her favourite rosés from her native Western Australia.

South Africa
Jeanne, our favourite Cook Sister living in London, shares a beautiful memory of rosé at her wedding which she tried to get hold of for this tasting too. Unfortunately she couldn't find it in the UK so she chose another SA wine, the pink pinotage Flagstone Semaphore 2004 Rosé instead. And what was her verdict? It's no shrinking violet of a wine and was complemented by the food rather than overwhelmed by it. She'll be stocking up on this one...

Spain
Andrew at Spittoon settled on Spain for his choice of Bodegas Fariña Colegiata Young Rosé, 2003 which he tells us is unsullied by any oak thus retaining its vibrant, fresh, colour, aroma and taste.

United States
Find out why Bill from WLW-WineGeek.comcalls Van Duzer Vinyards' Pinot Noir Rosé 2004 an unexpected experience in his second rosé tasting for this WBW.

Chas from Austin opened up my eyes to Texan wine. On his Wine Tasting blog he tells the world that he'd quaff more of Spicewood Vineyards Rosé of Merlot 2004, (especially if it was cheaper!).

Jens Rosenkrantz Jr runs the Cincinnati Wine Garage. The Vinum Cellars, Rose 2004 from Napa he critiqued was thirst quenching and substantial. Jens is doing a blind rose tasting this week and promises to report on that soon too.

2004 Core Santa Barbara Rosé is a second tasting choice of our Budget Sommelier. More highly priced than their budget usually allows, Jerome found it nice and dry, but he also found it to be a bit overwhelming. Jerome also kindly shares his favorite pink Sangria recipe with us.

The aroma is very fruity with a bubble gum or cotton candy character to it. What are Vivi's Wine Journal describing? Tablas Creek 2002 Rosé (Paso Robles), of course. This was also the choice of Purple Sunshine, a blog that grew from a wine tasting club in New Orleans. They pretty much dug this wine and would give it, say, 15 on a scale of 20.

Alica at My Adventures in The Breadbox was recently in San Fracisco. Instead of stopping by to say hi to me, she wisely went to Napa where she picked up a bottle of 2003 Ancient Vines Rosado. Unfortunately, she didn't like it and admits this bottle may last quite a while in the fridge.

2004 Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir was the choice of This Heaven Gives Me Migraine. He tells us it's got a fairly uncomplicated nose of toast and strawberries, with hints of grapefruit and some white flowers like jasmine.

Over at Carolyn Tillie's Ultimate California Wine Blog, the hostess samples a 2004 Saintsbury Vin de Gris of Pinot Noir. Her description, the distinct flavors were almost as illusive as the aromas, however the strawberry pronounced itself with delicacy and charisma, hit the nail on the head for me. That's exactly how I found my own Rosé to be, without finding such an eloquent sentence to describe it.

Although Snackish Sue was revolted by her glowing nuclear pink White Merlot by J.W. Morris whose cherry cough syrup taste made [her] gag, but she was so inspired by the actual assignment, she has started a blog dedicated solely to pink wines. Check it out at Queen of Roses.

WBW's founder, Lenndevours likes to choose a Long Island wine for this meme whenever possible. Lenn tells us that the Wolffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack 2004 Rosé he got his hands on is one of the best Rosés not only on the Island but that [he tastes] period.

Our podcaster, Tim's third pink wine review was of Toad Hollow Vineyards, “Eye of the Toad", Dry Pinot Noir Rosé 2004. This was his favourite, which he describes thus: clear pink, beautiful strawberry/watermelon nose, strawberry/cherry fruit, bone dry, nice finish.

Mezzaluna went to the trouble fo doing quite some research before heading to the store. When she got there she found her choice limited. She ended up with a bottle of Thirsty Lizard White Shiraz 2004 which had an aftertaste that reminded [her] of Dove chocolate.

Footnote
My own Rosé tasting remains a mystery at this moment in time. Guessing which wine I tasted is part of a quiz to win a $60 Amazon voucher. Check back at this site tomorrow for details of how to enter.

With huge thanks to everyone who took part and then waited very, very patiently for me to round up all of the entries. Before you rush to host your own WBW, pause, and reflect on this little fact. This post took me no less than 8 hours to prepare. It's a committment, for sure, but one that I hope you agree was definitely worth it in the end. If you don't agree, I am coming after you with a big stick...

posted in wbw and Wine

a-Ring-a-Ring-of-Rosés