Being that it is summer time, it was only fitting to get together with a good size group of friends for a night out on a beautiful patio for some great food and as much Rose wine as possible. At my good friend Dave's house, we sat out under the pergola for a fantastic dinner that took each of us to a place where one could simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the world around us. The four hour meal began with a caprese salad of heirloom tomatoes and creamy bufala mozzarella, triple cream brie and fresh French bread, summer salad of mixed greens and yellow beets, succulent barbequed chicken, roasted fingerling potatoes, fresh green and yellow string beans, and finished off with a delicious berry tart a la mode.
Having a tasting of Roses is something of an anomaly. Rarely is a group gathered together to celebrate the simplicity and deliciousness that is great Rose wine. Being a wine of uncomplicated charm, the vinous discussions tend to be brief and in the direction of a simple affirmation of the pleasurability of the contents of your glass. The variations may seem slight, but there is whole wide world of pink wines out there. Though, there were a couple Americans that kicked things off and finished the flood of pink, our focus was on those hailing from France, Italy, and Spain.
(Just a few)That's a lot of pink:
Eola-Amity, Oregon 2009**-
Beckman Grenache 2005**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2008**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2009**-
Saint Andre de Figuiere, Provence 2009**
Chateau du Rouet, Burgundy 2009**
Chateau de Pampelonne, Provence 2009**
Villa des Anges, Languedoc 2009**
Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2008**+
La Manarine, Cotes du Rhone 2009**
Domaine de Pontasainte, Rhone 2006**-
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia, Rioja 1998***
Domaine de Fontasante Gris de Gris 2006**-
Rioja Rosado 2009**-
Terlano, Lagrein, Alto Adige 2009**
Jaffurs Rose of Syrah, 2008**+
Vino Sapien Rose of Pinot, 2009**-
Alvear Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez de Añada N.V.*** (A beautify sherry enjoyed with dessert)
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2007**+
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2008**+
Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 2006***+
E. Guigal Hermitage 2003***+
With the recycling bins full and after reaching a fully satiated state, the night came to a close. The final bottles of rouge were plucked from a temptingly accessible and prodigious cellar and were a superb exclamation point to a great night.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
