Whenever a Rosé wine is suggested, there is often one of two reactions: “Oh, I only like White Zinfandel” or “I never drink pink wine.” While certainly either response is understandable, both are lamentable, as there is a wonderful world of highly potable French Rosés.
A little history on Rosés: Back in the 70’s, California had a glut of unsold Red Zinfandel grapes. Winemakers found that by removing the skin of the grape they could make a pink wine. (Most of a wine’s color and tannin is in the skin.) To a generation familiar with soda pop, Ripple and Mateus Rosé, this new wine, dubbed White Zin, seemed a step up and soon became very popular. White Zin was slightly sweet - though to some, often cloyingly so - and the masses were hooked and would have no other wine. Other winemakers, however, rejected this new “pink” wine and any other pinks as well. Producers in the West soon followed with White Merlots and White Cabernets. Some of these new California wines were good and even gained a brief, cult-like following, but unfortunately the much older and more refined French Rosés were lost to the American palate.
Unlike California, the French have been making Rosés for a very long time. Some of these Rosés, such as the Rosé d’Anjou from the Loire Valley, are made from the Grolleau grape. This varietal of grape is grown specifically for a pink wine. Its skin, which is left on the grape in the winemaking process, gives this wine a light, slightly sweet taste, full of flavor. White Zin drinkers immediately fall in love with this wine, as it truly stands out in a class by itself.
Other French Rosés from the Rhone and the south of France are actually blends of red grape varietals. Our Dragon Côtes du Provence is made from the Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre grapes. Like its California cousin, the skins are removed, producing a copper, orange color with red fruit notes. This wine is dry with flavors of licorice and purple plum. Customer reaction is usually one of pure joy and sheer amazement.
So with our hot Florida summer upon us, why not venture out and explore the cool and refreshing world of Rosés? You surely won’t be disappointed!
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