Meet the Belle of the Summertime Ball
Since summer is officially here (thank goodness) we’d like to feature one of the most popular wines of the season – the “belle of the summertime ball” otherwise known as ….
Rosé.
Yes, rosé is pink, but it’s definitely NOT just for the ladies. In fact, Nielsen recently published an article noting that “rosé outpaces all wine categories with more and more consumers ‘drinking pink’ during the summer months.” Yes, this includes the guys too!
Music to our ears, as well as our taste buds, so let’s get to know the sometimes-misunderstood rosé with a few myths and truths and tidbits.
Myth: To make rosé, you simply mix red and white wine together, and voila!
Truth: Sorry, but no dice (although it could make for an interesting “Frankenstein” blend). Rosé wines are actually made from a wide variety of grapes, which can include: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Zinfandel. The winemaker primarily selects dark and red-skinned grapes, which are lightly crushed with their skins remaining in contact with the juice for a short period (from a few hours to a few days). The juice is then strained out from the skins and solids and then fermented by the winemaker.
Tidbit: The longer the grape skins are left sitting in the liquid (the wine) the darker the finished rosé will be. This is why you’ll see a pretty variety of white-to-pink to reddish hues when you shop for rosé.
Myth: All wines need to be aged for a while.
Truth: If you want the freshest Rosé, you should purchase the latest vintage – or just go back one, two or up to three years.
A Rosé by any other name:
Rosato is what the Italians call it and rosado is what they call it in Spain, Portugal and Spanish-speaking countries, and in the US, we mainly use the term rosé.
MYTH: Rosé doesn’t pair well with BBQ foods.
Truth: Fire up that grill! Since rosé is very versatile (it’s kind of like the “Goldilocks” of wine) not too light, not too sweet, and not too tannic – rosé does make the perfect partner for your summer picnic and/or summer grilling – from chicken to steak, salads to veggies, and anything in-between – you can even enjoy your rosé perfectly with dessert (or as dessert).
Rosé is always happy to be its own for you to enjoy.
TIP: be sure to chill it, as you would a white wine before you serve rosé.
So…are you ready for rosé?
We’re proud to offer our jewel of the summertime -- our SUNNYSIDE rosé!
Our Sunnyside rosé starts with a delicious blast of flowers and strawberries, with a bit of grapefruit peel on the delightful finish. It’s perfect for hanging out with neighbors and friends – just add glasses and conversation!
SIP, SIP ROSE’!
p.s. We also offer this from the tap in our 1 liter growler
