Wines of the Week: You’ll be able to pour the rosé, however are you consuming it correctly?

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Summer time’s right here and it’s rosé season. The SAQ has greater than 175 listings of rosé wines, and extra are on the best way. I’m going to put in writing a number of rosé articles over the summer time as new listings turn into accessible, so let’s begin with arguably a very powerful recommendation I may give: How one can correctly drink the stuff.

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There are two concerns: One is the scenario and the opposite is the type of rosé.

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Keep in mind the ABCs of wine service are temperature, temperature and temperature. The colder you serve your wine, the extra you’ll intensify acidity and thus freshness. This comes at a price — aromatics and flavour, in addition to texture.

So what would you like out of your wine? Are you pouring your self a glass subsequent to the pool on a sizzling afternoon and easily need one thing refreshing to drink? Or are you serving it as an aperitif with snacks, or along with your meal? Maintain your rosé cool in case you simply desire a refreshing beverage. I don’t imply as near freezing as attainable. No wine ought to be served beneath 8 levels Celsius except its not excellent, or it’s very candy. At 8 C your wine can be refreshing however you’ll nonetheless get some flavour.

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Have you ever overcooled a crimson wine? Under 14 C, you style nothing. Rosé is made with crimson grapes, so the identical logic applies, although its vary is cooler. If you wish to maximize the “oomph” issue, similar to while you’re serving with meals, you ought to be consuming it between 10-14 C. Your wine will present way more physique and plenty extra flavour.

Must you do that with all rosés? No. I’m a little bit of a weirdo, as a result of I wish to age sure pink wines particularly for these events. Most have been bought final summer time, however I’ll let sure types go for 3 to 4 years. I discover they turn into way more fascinating when it comes to aromatics and have a extra balanced mouthfeel. This the place provenance is available in to play.

Most high quality Provençal rosés fall into this class, particularly these from the area of Bandol. I’ve drunk eight-to-10-year-old Bandols that have been extraordinary. They have been delicate sufficient for fish however with sufficient physique and flavour for a rack of lamb.

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How have you learnt which rosés are greatest for meals? Value is an element when speaking high quality with rosé and usually, any wine over $20-$25, regardless of the place its from, may be handled as an age-worthy “meals rosé.”

Listed here are a number of to strive from exterior Provence.

Costières de Nîmes 2022, Buti Nages, Michel Gassier, France rosé, $16.30, SAQ # 427625. Natural. Like all of Gassier’s wines, a examine in finesse. Fairly aromatics, floral and delicately fruity. End is each mineral and a few dried herbs to go together with the fruit. Nice option to take you from aperitif via most lighter meals. Grape varieties: syrah, grenache. Residual sugar: 2.3 g/l. Serve at 8-12 C. Drink now. Meals pairing concepts: Aperitif, niçoise salad.

Le Rosé Gabrielle 2022, Vignoble de la Rivière du Chêne, Quebec rosé, $17.25, SAQ #10817090. Fruit, florals and a pleasant steadiness between freshness and texture. Good natural be aware made me consider coriander. Works nicely as aperitif or with a lightweight meal. Grape varieties: seyval, sabrevois, frontenac gris, sainte-croix. Residual sugar: 1.8 g/l. Serve at 8 C. Drink now. Meals pairing concepts: Aperitif, fish tacos with salsa.

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Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2022, Altitude, Clos Bellane, France rosé, $21.45, SAQ #12513567. Natural. Certainly one of my favourites yr after yr. A mouthful of contemporary crimson fruit with a end that’s centered and virtually mineral. Good wine to start out chilly as an aperitif and end cool with a meal. This wine bursts with power. Grape selection: grenache. Residual sugar: 1.2 g/l. Serve at 8-12 C. Drink now-2024. Meals pairing concept: Aperitif, bouillabaisse.

Vin Gris d’Amador 2021, Sierra Foothills, Terre Rouge, California rosé, $34.25, SAQ #11629710. Right here’s one which’s been aged for you. Wealthy, textured, spicy with crimson fruits alongside pear and peach. Nice complexity, energy and size. It’s virtually tannic. Massive pink prepared for an enormous meal. Grape varieties: mourvedre, grenache, viognier, roussanne. Residual sugar: 1.5 g/l. Serve at 10-14 C. Drink now. Meals pairing concept: Vegetarian stir fry with tamari and ginger, spicy salmon, lobster.

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