Spring is here and Mother’s Day is this Sunday! With the blossoms in bloom and the tulips popping, I think it’s the perfect time launch into Rosé. I’ve found some absolutely delicious wines available at the LCBO that I'm going to recommend for you and I’ll begin with quick overview of what you need to know abut rosé so you know a little when you buy.
Basic Facts to Know about Rosé Wine Before you Buy
Rosé wines are made by blending a combination of the following red wine grapes:
Grenache, Sangiovese, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Pinot Noir
You can also buy rosé wines made from Zinfandel grapes (White Zinfandel) and Merlot grapes (White Merlot).
Most Popular Rosé Wine Making Processes:
Skin Contact Method (Limited Maceration)
The red wine grapes are crushed and the skins are left in contact with the crushed grape juice for a short period of time to give the wine is rosé colour. This mix of grape skins and juice, called “must” is then pressed and the skins are removed before the juice moves to fermentation. This is the method most used in Provence and the Languedoc-Rousillon region in France.
Direct Pressing
The red grapes are pressed immediately to remove the skins in the same way as white wine is made. The juice is left in contact with the skins for a very short period of time preventing the juice from gaining too much colour. This method produces very light blush-coloured rosé wines.
Saignée Method
At the beginning of the red winemaking process, the wine maker pours off (or “bleeds” off) some of the red wine juice into a separate tank where it is then produced as rosé wine.
Types of Rosé:
Semi Sweet Rosé
If you like juicier and sweeter rosé wines full of strawberry and red fruity flavour look for Granache Rosé, Rosé d’Anjou, White Zinfandel and White Merlot. Rosé wines from California tend to be sweeter and fruitier than those made in Europe.
Dry Rosé:
Dry rosé is crisp, fresh and acidic with minerally, floral and gentle strawberry and citrus fruit aromas. Look for rosé wines from the Loire Valley and Provence in France. These Rosé wines tend to be the lightest salmon pink or pale blush colour and are my favourites.
Dry and Fruity, Floral Rosé:
If you’re looking for a dry rosé with definite strawberry and fruity flavours try rosé wine made with Pinot Noir and Grenache, grapes or with the Sangiovese grape in Italy or from the Tavel region on the Rhône River in France.
My LCBO/Vintages Rosé Picks Recommended for You
See my Reviews Below
Barone Ricasoli Albia Rosé Toscana $15.95
Rosé Wine Tasting
Albia Rosé Toscana, Italy $15.95
This is the first Italian rosé wine I’ve tasted. Produced by the Ricasoli family in the Chianti region of Tuscany, It’s a beautiful very light blush pink color made with a blend of Italian Sangiovese grapes and Merlot. The wine has a pretty, soft aroma of minerals, chalk, cranberries, and strawberries with cream. It’s a dry wine with some acidity which is crisp and well balanced and gives a nice bite to the wine with a lovely long finish. I highly recommend this one if you like dry rosé with a delicate flavour. I think it’s a really delicious and easy to drink rosé. For the quality and price, this is my number one pick to keep cool and ready for your rosé nights (or afternoons!).
Kim Crawford Rosé, New Zealand $15.95
It’s interesting how each rosé can taste so unique. I wanted to try the Kim Crawford Rosé because the winery produces some good quality and popular wines. This is a mid-salmon colour, pink rosé with lovely rich aromas of strawberries, green apple, ripe pink grapefruit along with some minerality and earthiness. It’s a big fruity taste with a little more acidity than the other wines tasted but still balanced. The wine is made with Merlot and Malbec grapes and is a much bolder taste than other rosé wines. We agreed that this is a good choice to pair with dinner – grilled chicken, poached salmon or any seafood. I prefer it with food rather than as an aperitif or easy sipper.
Josh Cellars Rosé, California $17.80
This is a pale salmon pink rosé produced by Josh Cellars in central California with strong aromas of strawberries and ice cream, sweet lemon, peaches and blossom. The aromas on this wine are beautiful. The taste is a bit sweeter than other rosé wines, very juicy and fruity, little acidity, extremely smooth and so easy to drink. It’s a light and frivolous wine and perfect for sipping on a patio or dock – but be careful…this one goes down like juice and is so good! If you can spend the little extra, I’d say it’s an excellent choice as described and perfect as an easy summer aperitif.
Caves d’Esclans Whispering Angel, Provence France $29.95
Whispering Angel, what a beautiful name for a wine! It’s a palest salmon or blush pink rosé with an absolutely beautiful and delicate floral aroma and a taste of sweet strawberries and soft lemon. This is a very sophisticated, very dry rosé perhaps with a slight effervescence on the tongue, perfectly balanced, a lingering taste and velvety smooth. The wine is made with a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah and Tibouren grapes from the region of La Motte in Provence. This would be the perfect choice to bring to a dinner party, to serve as a celebratory aperitif or to simply enjoy as a decadent treat! It’s my number one favourite of the rosé wines tasted but at a much higher price point. I’d buy this as a gift or for a special occasion and as delicious as it is, I would still pick the Albia Rosé Toscana for everyday.
Gerard Bertrand Côte des Roses, Languedoc France $18.95
The wine bottle alone is cause for a taste! The bottle with its glass stopper top and rose petal glass formation at the base makes for a beautiful presentation. The pale blush-coloured wine is as pretty as the bottle. Côte des Roses is made with Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes and presents aromas of strawberries, sweet melon, and lemon zest with a slight hint of lavender. There’s some acidity to the wine and at first taste there’s a little bitterness with a bit of grapefruit flavour and a very nice finish. This is an excellent choice for those of you who prefer a very dry rosé over a fruity, juicy rosé. I recommend this wine as excellent value for money with a beautiful presentation – perfect to bring to a dinner party and won’t kill your budget.
As always, I'd love your comments and feedback. Happy Mother's Day!