On the Wine Side - Rose Season

Happy Summer! 

Tis the season for ROSE, and there are so many delicious choices at Exit 9. At a recent wine education class, participants tried 5 different roses and compared and contrasted the flavor profiles. Here's a summary of those tastings.

If you want to have some fun, consider purchasing them all (or a similar assortment of roses) and conducting your own tasting with friends. You truly can't go wrong with a nice rose on a warm summer night. 

2020 Pigoudet Premiere

From the "heart" of rose production worldwide, Provence, France, this pink, bone dry rose is a classic blend of Grenache, Cabernet, Syrah and Cinsault.

Its bright acidity is balanced with notes of white peach and a hint of flowers. Super crisp and clean.

2020 Vidal Fleury

This is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah from grapes grown in the Rhone Valley.

This wine has more pronounced color and notes of red currant in addition to classic cherry and other red fruit.

Nice and dry.

2020 Aime Roquesante Rose

Another selection from Provence but made with Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mouvedre.

Quite the bouquet, and a wine that was softer on the palate, with characteristic peach and floral notes on its dry finish.

2020 Vidal Fleury

Roses are made around the world, and this one is from Argentina and made with that country's signature grape, Malbec.

With an earthier palate, yet full of full of the red fruit notes that typify this grape -raspberry, cherry and some strawberry-this is a clean, dry, new world delight.

2021 Chateau de Montgueret Rose d'Anjou

To round out the evening, the class tasted this multi-layered off-dry rose from Anjou in the Loire Valley, made from Cabernet Franc.

It has a big strawberry nose and lingering notes of raspberry and peach on the palate.

Another winner.

The classes are always interesting because people's tastes go across the board and there is rarely a stand-out favorite. If I could put just three of these in my cart, I'd go with the Pigoudet, the Diamandes and the Montgueret - and then I'd change my mind mid next week. That's the way it is with nice wines.

Roses are so versatile when it comes to pairing them with foods - they are always party pleasers. Anything  and everything from cheese and charcuterie to seafood to salads to grilled or barbequed chicken, even burgers.

Have roses at the ready in your fridge to soak up the good vibes of summer.
You can't go wrong!