The adventure has started - that is - sharing my passion for wines with you!!  It is not always easy to choose a good wine; you might even be tempted to choose a bottle because the label looks good??  Well, I don’t imagine I have all the answers, but I do intend to share with you the pleasures of tasting wine.  And I look forward to reading your thoughts, ideas and suggestions! 

It seems everything slows down during the summer; the warmth of the season, the wonderful sent of flowers, the well-deserved vacations as well as the friendliness of a people that is keen to be outside after spending so many winter months indoors!  One of my favorite activities during the summer is preparing a picnic with my two young girls on an old blanket that they have uncovered somewhere.  To accompany my salads and sandwiches, I often opt for a good rosé! 

Even though rosés can be enjoyed throughout the year, they seem to be in style as the summer sun appears!  Pink or even salmon pink rosé wines often display fruity aromas of strawberries and raspberries as well as delicate floral notes, a perfect companion to those family and friend gatherings, those long afternoons spent by the pool or any other good occasion you might think of!  Luckily, rosés are easy to pair with many summer foods!

The production of a rosé wine is a very delicate process where the grapes are pressed and its juices are left in contact with the skins.  Most red grapes produce white juice but it is that contact with skins that will give it its color.  The infusion of the juice, the skins and other parts of the grapes such as the stems and seeds will shape the color, tannins, aromas structure and other unique properties of our favorite wines.  The period of time we let the juices and the skins sit, from one hour to a day or two, will determine the intensity of the rosé.
 
France produces about 25% of the world’s rosés; the region of Provence alone represents 8% of that world production.  In fact, Provence’s total production is 75% rosé wines; validating their expertise and savoir-faire in producing fine rosés.  You can try this Vintages Essential Côtes de Provence Carte Noire 2007 Les maîtres vignerons de la presqu’île de Saint-Tropez for 14.95$ V319384… ah… I can already imagine myself on French Riviera sipping the local find!!   Also try Château La Tour de l’Évêque Rosé 2008 V319392; offering aromas of berry fruit with delicate floral and spicy notes for 18.95$.

Another rosé classic comes from the Tavel region in Bouche-du-Rhône, France.  The wines are recognized for the suppleness and quality.  Look for Château d’Aquéria 2008 in stores in Rockland.  Full of charm, this rosé offers delicate strawberry and raspberry aromas, is well balanced and would pair well with a strawberry and goat cheese salad, or with simple appetizers, olives, soft cheeses and even smoked salmon.
 
You can also find great Canadian rosé wines: Pelee Island Winery Rosé VQA offers good quality, and is a fruitier version, for only 10.95$ L529354; Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rosé is 12.50$ V130245 and Thirteen Street June’s Vineyard Cabernet Rosé 2008 is fabulous at 15.95$ V117846. 
 
Have fun in your new discoveries!  And please send me your thoughts, questions and suggestions through the following blog.

Bernadette Sarazin
Sommelier