Stopping to Smell The Rosés

For some reason at this time of year, of all the wines in my cellar, Rosés tend to catch my eye the most.  It goes great with the lighter summertime veggie fare that we cook from grilled veggies to pasta salads or by itself. It is a great accompaniment to a lot of food types and as I have stated before a great treat enjoyed by itself on the deck.

 

So in this post I will give the details on 3 really nice, inexpensive Rosés from 3 different locations. I kept it local with Virginia and then traveling to Spain, both Rioja and Alicante.

 

Virginia – Pollak Vineyards

 

2007 Pollak Vineyard Rosé (free run blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon) – $14

 

Nose – Potpurri, fresh sliced tomato, flint

Taste – cranapple, strawberry, mineral

Mouthfeel – hint of spiciness, medium body, fairly sharp acidity

Finish – lots of lingering strawberry and minerality, quite long, very refreshing

 

 

Spain – Rioja

 

2007 Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosé (Tempranillo and Grenache) – $9

 

Nose – banana now and later candy, watermelon, passion fruit

Taste – watermelon, strawberry, fuji apple

Mouthfeel – medium body, smooth and dry

Finish – sharp acidity comes through at the finish, pretty long with watermelon flavors dominating the aftertaste

 

Spain – Alicante

 

2007 Don Salvador Rosado – (Monastrell) – $9

 

Nose – watermelon jolly rancher, citrus, slight floral note

Taste – cranberry, mint, strawberry

Mouthfeel – smooth, round, medium body, crisp

Finish – medium in length, clean

 

There ya go, 3 great Rosés all inexpensive, 2 of which are very widely distributed. Make sure to think pink this summer when you are making your choices for your evening elixir, it most likely will go with whatever you are having,  unless you are cooking a juicy prime rib! haha

 

What is your favorite pink drink this summer?

 

Cheers!