Today at Ashe's Wine and Spirits we will be tasting Rosé Wines.
Rosé wines are made from red grapes or red grape varietals. In very few cases winemakers may add a little white wine to their blend. Rosé sparkling wines are the exception, they are often blended with white grape varietals.
Most rosé wines are blends of multiple grapes. Some of the most common grape varieties used in rosé wines are Grenache, Sangiovese, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Pinot Noir.
There are also many styles for producing Rosé wines. Ranging from sweet to very dry each wine will have it's own characteristic increasing the possibilities for food pairing. The fruit expectations lean towards strawberry, cherry, and raspberry with some citrus and watermelon presenting on a regular basis.
Since you should serve the wine chilled it is a fantastic wine for a warm summer day on the deck or take it on a picnic. Summer picnics shouldn't be a thing of the past. They are so much fun! Keep the menu simple and enjoy the wine.
Try this simple toasted cheese tapas.
Slice French Baguette about 1/4 inch thick. Mix 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil with 1 tablespoon Sherry Vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil). Mix 1 cup grated Fontina cheese with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Drizzle oil mixture on baguette slices. Top with cheese mixture. Toast until cheese melts.
For a simple yet delicious picnic include potato salad and cold sliced meats, including turkey, salami and roast beef and cheeses. Don't forget fresh fruit, nuts and jam and Vanilla short bread cookies for dessert.
Other Foods for pairing include:
Tapas with Shell fish potato dishes and Vegetable tartlets.
Salads and cold vegetables including antipasto platters with cold meats with a little salt especially salami
Fish dishes, even those that are grilled
Paella, other rice and pasta dishes
Chicken, Pork and Veal, including grilled dishes
Spicy Foods such as barbeque, curries and Thai dishes
Hamburgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and hoagies
And very good news is that rosé wines hold up very well to a number
of cheeses including Fontina, Blue cheese, mild Goat cheese and many of the Spanish cheeses
TIPS
You should drink Rosé wines when they are young or are 1-3 years old
Serve the wine chilled. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
A good Rosé will cost less than $20.00-$25.00.
ENJOY