Vina Maipo Merlot Rose 2008, Chile

ROSÉ IS not for real wine-drinkers – at least that use to be the attitude of many “self-respecting wine drinkers” not so long-ago. Until recently, many had a hard time showing rosé the light of day because deserved or not, the wines had a reputation for being cheap and only for “novice wine-drinkers”.

Attitudes are definitely different now though, as rosé has experienced a renaissance of sorts, becoming increasingly trendy due largely to improved quality, better PR and significant shifts in consumer opinion. There is also a huge diversity of interesting rosé styles available today thanks in-part to new producers from emerging regions around the world.

Pink choices abound!

There’s rosé for almost every palate under the sun. Ranging from dry, delicate and sophisticated, to fruity, spicy and full-bodied, rosés come in every shade of pink from very light to almost-red, and even orange!

On this side of the planet, we had to learn and accept that rosé did not always refer to the sweet, ubiquitous White Zinfandel. Rosé is made from many different grape varieties, in many different wine-producing regions, and so could mean anything from a refreshingly, dry Provence or Sancerre rosé to a soft and fruity Merlot-Rose from Chile or Argentina.

Rosé at the table

Rosé pairs surprisingly well with a wide range of foods. Perhaps it’s not so surprising when you consider that rosé is “in-between” a red and a white wine, and so you should expect it to work well with both red- and white- friendly foods. Everything from classical French cuisine to spicy Caribbean dishes are fair game.

Back in September at the Chateau Minuty wine dinner, Chef Christophe Ludwig of La Belle Vie restaurant paired the beautiful Chateau Minuty Cuvée Prestige Rosé from Provence with a delicious terrine of duck Foie Gras. It was a bit of an experiment, but the combination worked surprisingly well!

Apart from interesting food pairings, though,  rosé has a very practical purpose for us here in the Caribbean – it is the perfect solution to year-round hot summer days and nights! Nothing beats a perspiring, cold glass of pink while sitting at a beach bar or in an outdoor restaurant during lunch time, or even at dinner. Strawberries, cherries, melons and white fruits dominate the aroma and flavour profiles of most rosés, making them a great alternative to the tried and true Sauvignon Blanc or even Chardonnay that we typically settle for when looking for something light, crisp and refreshing.

A few recommendations

I couldn’t sit here extolling the virtues of rosé without providing recommendations. Here are a few you can try without breaking the bank!

• Vina Maipo Merlot Rose 2008, Chile
• Chateau Minuty Cuvee de l’Oratoire 2008, Provence, France
• Santa Cristina Cipresseto 2008, Tuscany, Italy
• Trivento Brut Nature (Sparkling Rose), Mendoza, Argentina

by Ineacho O’Garro

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