Tag Archives: rosé

Gérard Bertrand ‘Cote des Roses’ Rosé Languedoc 2016

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Estate: Gérard Bertrand grew up assisting his father on the family’s estate in the sub-appellation of Corbiѐres in the Languedoc Roussillon. He took over the domaine upon his father’s death in 1987, and today presides over nearly 1000 acres of vineyards across the varying Languedoc Roussillon terroirs. He also heads a négociant business that partners with local growers and co-ops. A well-known proponent of sustainable farming, he is one of the largest producers of organic wine in Southern France. His flagship estate Château l’Hospitalet is carbon neutral, and many of his vineyards follow biodynamic practices and are certified by DEMETER. In addition to being recognized for his fantastic wines at excellent prices, Wine Enthusiast bestowed him with the European Winery of the Year award in 2011, stating “He fully understands the movement toward expressive, well-balanced and elegant wines that remain accessible and affordable.”

The cross on the label is a Visigoth cross dating back to the 7th century, which evolved into the Languedoc Cross. For a detailed explanation of its iconography, click here. Cote des Roses is the name of the coastal area near the village of Gruissan.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from varied soils, but predominately hard limestone and schist, “but also gravel transported by the rivers of the Languedoc region”.

Tasting Notes: Coral pink in colour with aromas of strawberry, cherry and rain washed slate. Mineral driven, with red fruits and a hint of spice, finishing zippy and dry. Simple and summery, accented by a fun rose cut into the bottom of the bottle. {The bottle is an original design created by a young designer from the Ecole Boulle.]

Enjoy at 50°F [10°C]

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Ideal as an aperitif or with subtly spiced dishes and shellfish.

Blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah [I could not verify varietal percentages.]
Languedoc
France
Shipped and Bottled by Gérard Bertrand
12.5% Alcohol
$15
Enjoy now

 

Maison Noir Wines ‘Love Drunk’ Rosé 2016

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Winery: Maison Noir Wines was founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007.  The unique and distinctive wines were initially created for some of the New York’s best restaurants for whom Mack was a sommelier, now they are available for home enjoyment. The Garage Wines [Garage d’Or] focus on specific terroirs in Oregon, sourcing the best fruit possible from the Willamette Valley region, producing wines which express the individuality of their respected sites.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from “100% single vineyard from McMinnville AVA Vineyards. The varietal combination and percentage was inspired by the Champagne region in France.

Tasting Notes: Light coral pink in colour with inviting aromas of cherry, strawberry and clean minerals overlaying an herbaceous streak. Tasting similar to the aromas with tart cherry, wild strawberry and light minerality complimented by lively acidity. Silky smooth, finishing dry and fruity. Almost delicate in character, and incredibly easy drinking, just fantastic.

75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir
Oregon
Bottled by Maison Noir Wines
13.3 % Alcohol
$15
Enjoy now

Division-Villages ‘L’Avoiron’ Rosé of Gamay Noir Columbia Valley 2016

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Winery: Located in Portland, Oregon, Division Winemaking Company is an “urban winery” founded in 2010 by Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. The duo honed their winemaking and viticulture skills working in wineries in the Loire, Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Northern Rhone. Inspired by the time in France, they established Division Winemaking Company. They strive “to make approachable and balanced wines though minimal manipulation”. They source their grapes from “well farmed terroir expressive vineyards, many of which are organic and/or Biodynamic”. The Division-Villages label is their approachable, entry level label.

Philosophy: “A new generation of winemakers that are looking beyond the status quo to create unique styles of wine, with a purpose, a story and without barriers.”

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from Willard Vineyard in the Yakima Valley in Columbia Valley. The terroir was specifically chosen for Gamay: “The mineral intense soils formed from volcanic Miocene uplift against basalt bedrock that is layered with a primary top soil being made up of quartz and lime- silica, overlaid with the mixed sedimentary run- off of Missoula floods that makes the soils in the region so dynamic, unique, and in this case, perfect for making crisp and focused rosé!”

Tasting Notes: Coral pink in colour with aromas of cherry, strawberry, melon and a hint of floral. Silky smooth cherry, cranberry and strawberry with a drop of honey, complimented by clean granite minerality and mouth puckering acidity. A squeeze of lemon over cranberry on the crisp, refreshing finish.

100% Gamay Noir
Columbia Valley
Washington
Produced & Bottled by Division Winemaking Company
13.1% Alcohol
$17
Enjoy now

725 cases produced

Domaine de la Patience ‘From the Tank’ Rosé 2016

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Brand: ‘From the Tank’ is a collaboration between Jenny & François Selections and various small, natural artisan winemakers that focus on expressing their terroir. Jenny & François Selections is a New York based wine distributor founded in 2000. They feature small vineyard wines and “winemakers who work like artisans, crafting a different wine each year. They do not impose a preconceived taste on their wines, but look to be surprised by what nature gives”. The concept ‘From the Tank’ hails from traditional wine culture in France, “of going to the local winery with a big empty jug to fill up with easy-drinking juice”.

Philosophy: “High quality natural wine at a very low price that’s good for the planet too!”

Estate: ‘From the Tank’ Rosé was made exclusively for Jenny & François Selections by Domaine de la Patience, located in the Costières de Nîmes in southeastern France. The family estate takes its name from “La Patience”, a wild aromatic herb that makes its home in the vineyards. Christophe Aguilar farms the 60 hectares of vines, the very same soil that his grandfather respectfully farmed 50 years ago.

Winemaking: The vineyards are certified organic. Grapes were sourced from 20+ year old Syrah vines and 40 year old Grenache vines, then aged in concrete vats with minimum sulfur added.

Tasting Notes: Light coral pink in colour with aromas of strawberry, watermelon and a hint of tropical coconut and banana. Tasting similar to the aromas, with strawberry and mango glazing traces of banana and coconut. Fresh acidity, a streak of minerality and zippy citrus zest on the crisp, dry finish. A fantastic summer sip, a steal at $20!

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Vin de Pays du Pont du Gard
France
[Bottling information not available]
12-14% Alcohol
$20 [3L box equivalent to 4 750ML bottles]
Enjoy now

Masi ‘Rosa dei Masi’ Rosato delle Venezie IGT 2016

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Estate: For over 200 years, the Boscainis family has been crafting wines in Veneto. The name is taken from the Vaio dei Masi, a small valley purchased at the end of the 18th century by the Boscaini family. With an impressive range of wines, and an estate that includes the historic lands of the legendary 14th century poet Dante; the Masi name is instantly recognizable. Today the estate is headed by the 7th generation and has expanded their holdings, along with Count Serego Alighieri into Tuscany.

Winemaking: Crafted using the leggero Appassimento technique [lightly semi-dried grapes] on a portion of the grapes, which “softens the austere character of the Refosco grape and gives the wine greater freshness and elegance”.

Tasting Notes: Coral pink in color with delicate aromas of summer berries and minerals. Light flavors of raspberry, watermelon and minerals, a touch of cherry on the crisp, dry finish. Airy and refreshing, a great summer sip.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Excellent as an aperitif and with antipasti, light pasta dishes, shellfish and seafood.

100% Refosco
Rosato delle Venezie IGT
Italy
Bottled by Masi Agricola SPA
12.5% Alcohol
$13
Enjoy now