Rosé + Summer = A Renewed Trend

If you haven't noticed, Rosé is seeing a pretty big resurgence right now. Visit any Whole Foods or other hip and healthy grocer, and you'll likely see shitloads of pink bottles at the end of every aisle. Why? Fads change. Rosé hasn't been popular since perhaps the days of Ruinite . So it's due it's time in the spotlight. The stuff, when made right, is actually really good.

La Vieelle Ferme, Cotes Du Ventoux, Rosé , 2006 -

I chose this particular rosé because it was french and had chickens on the label, and it was only $8. A cheap experiment. It's from the Cotes Du Ventoux [koht deu vawn-TOO] region of the Rhone Valley, which is just east of the more famous Chateauneuf de Pape. The producer is the Perrin family, which is also responsible for the Chateau de Beaucastel (one of the famous Chateauneuf producers). This wine is a blend of 50% cinsault, 40% grenache, 10% syrah.

Tasting Note: Watery watermelon color, aka dark pink. On the nose, waves of cranberries and crushed Bing cherries. The flavors on the mouth maintain the aromas that were on the nose, but add a slight Provencal spice to the finish. Very dry and crisp. It's a serviceable wine....there's certainly better out there. But this one will certainly do for a paltry $8. It definitely went well with my tater tots and buffalo wings!

I picked up mine at Whole Foods Market in the Pearl.

Picpoul De Pinet, Saint Peyre 2006 cheap cheap

Wine Geeks Rejoice: Picpoul blanc is the grape, and Pinet is the village. This small village is located near the sandy shores of the Bassin de Thau, a lagoon well-known for its Bouzigues oysters. The soil here is a combination of limestone, sand, and clay. Picpoul De Pinet has Cru status within the very large Coteaux Du Languedoc AC. Picpoul translates into "lip stinger" because of the high acidity of the must. On another note, the Languedoc, along the Mediterranean coastline, is well known for rosé and nude bathers this time of year which makes this wine that much more enjoyable (at least that's what RP told me).

Tasting Note: On the nose there are white pears and white peach, green apples, and a hint of white peppery spice. On the palette you notice right away the brightness. This is a very high acid wine, which means it's a great aperitif, and goes with many white-meat and shelfish dishes. Crisp, crisp! The body is suprisingly full, and the wine has a lingering yet crisp finish. Perfect summer-time shiz-bit.

Be prepared for sticker shock on this one though...it's an appalling $8. In town you can pick it up at:

http://www.vinopoliswineshop.com/

http://www.winexing.com/index.html

Cheers!

Dear (new) Reader:

Ah shucks my first post.

This is to inform all readers that I plan on writing a kick-ass blog about the WORLD OF WINE. I will also be focusing on wine and food trends in Portland, OR, where I reside. Things to expect:

1. Reviews of some of the best valued wines out there


2. Panel discussions on the wine world


3. monologues on trends in the wine business


4. Reviews of local establishments

I will be seasoning each blog post with with either a photo, vlog (video blog), or both. Neat! Now go out and drink some freaking wine already. It's noon.

(The lovely picture above was taken by yours truly outside Melville Winery in Santa Barbara County. April 2007.)