Rosé Season

Melting snow, longer days, and warmer temperatures mean one thing- it is officially rosé season!  Although we enjoy drinking rosé all year, the warmer months are when we can’t get enough of it.  Our love of rosé will be obvious as our shelves start to fill with more and more in the coming weeks and months.  We are already starting to see some of the first rosé from the 2014 vintage, and we love them.

Giorgio Rivetti at La Spinetta Winery makes some of our favorite Italian wines, and his rosé is no exception.  The wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese grown in the town of Montepulciano).  The vineyard soil is sandy with oceanic sediments, and is farmed sustainably with no use of herbicides or pesticides.  The juice only spends one hour on the skins, is fermented with ambient yeast and aged three months on the lees in stainless steel vats.  In the glass the wine is salmon pink with orange reflections.  The expressive bouquet shows wilted flowers, red berries, lime and sage.  The palate shows notes of tart cherries, pomegranate, honeysuckle, and a defined minerality.  This wine is an ideal companion to herb and citrus marinated grilled chicken, halibut with lemon butter, and fennel blood orange salads.

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Chateau D’Or et de Gueules are true stewards of the land.  Their vineyards in the Costières de Nimes have recently been certified organic.  They generate their own energy from solar power, make their own compost, and use recycled packaging material.  Their Les Cimels rosé is a fantastic expression of Southern Rhone rosé.  Direct press juice from Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Grenache is fermented separately at low temperatures and blended.  The wine is fresh and vibrant, displaying citrus, herbs, and flowers on the nose.  The palate offers notes of wild strawberries, citrus zest, and subtle spice.  Serve this delicious rosé the next time you grill fresh snapper or mahi mahi.  It also pairs wonderfully with paella.

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We have become fans of Michel Chapoutier’s Bila-Haut wines, which hail from the Roussillion region of Southern France.  Determined to make wines that are in harmony with the surrounding land and expressive of the terroir from which they come, Michel Chapoutier has adopted biodynamic farming techniques.  Old vines (40+ years old), low yields and meticulously managed vineyards ensure the fruit will be of the highest quality.  This wine is comprised of Cinsault and Grenache, grown in the Rousillion region of Southern France.  The Cinsault provides red fruit flavors and gentle floral notes, while the Grenache imparts crisp minerality and traces of citrus on the finish.  Dry, medium-bodied, and refreshing this wine delivers everything you want from French rosé.  Pair with caprese salads, Gruyere and ham panini, or barbecued chicken.

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Domaine Begude is a small family-owned property located high in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Limoux region of the Languedoc. The wine is made from organically certified Pinot Noir grown in clay and limestone soils.  The long, cool growing season lends itself perfectly to the production of crisp and delicate wines. Pale pink in color, this rosé offers a medley of fresh strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with notes of watermelon and cranberry. Served chilled, this makes a refreshing aperitif and is delicious with grilled salmon as well as a variety of picnic fare.

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Explore our wine department and ask our knowledgeable staff to help you find the perfect bottle of rosé for palate and budget.