ROSE WINES AND SPRING OR... IN THE COMFORT ZONE OF ROSE WINES
In the comfort zone of rose wines
The spring season marks the arrival of rosé wines. Is it finally their season or they do not have a season at all? The truth is that we are gradually leaving behind the cold of winter, we are storing our heavy clothes, we prefer lighter dishes (we are trying to be a bit more fit), we are in a more relaxed mood and we choose wines that do not need over-analysis. After all, it is no coincidence that rosé wines are directly associated with holidays, relaxation, fun and coolness in general.
Champions of production but also of consumption, are of course the French. Production is located in the warmer south, i.e. in Provence and Languedoc - Roussillon, in the cold Loire and up to Bordeaux. There are generally no regions, with red grapes, in the world that do not produce this category of wine, such as Spain, California, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and many more.
And if ... you think that the winemaker manages to produce an attractive, elegant rosé wine with a successful color and the required delicate aromatic character easily, you are totally wrong. In this case, too, deep knowledge and insistence on detail are required, but no, we will not analyze the various vinification techniques here.
The truth is that rosé wines can be consumed without the weight of the information that accompanies wines from other regions (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo, Tuscany) and without worrying about vintages, varieties, designations of origin, terroir, aging potential and consequently prices. This is not the case! Nevertheless, the word Provence is a serious guarantee of quality.
Personally, I choose rosé wines very often, when I want to enjoy a wine without food, especially on summer evenings on island terraces and relaxing lunches by the sea. It always does credits to me when there are many and varied options on the table by wining over even the most demanding. It "dances" nicely with Asian and fusion cuisines, with Greek vegetable dishes or as an antidepressant by itself (with or without ice cubes, preferably)!
I prefer them when the company is made up of women because there is simply no way not to like them. Pink colors are always attractive to women… even it might sound sexist!
My favorite rosés that I suggest to you without fear and with lots of passion are the following:
Whispering Angel - Chateau d'Esclans, Cotes de Provence AOP Rose
The wine that changed the category of rosé wines worldwide. The once bland wine of Provence was transformed into the ultimate cosmopolitan wine. And not unfairly. Try it and you will just get stuck with it. One bottle will never be enough. Ethereal, with discreet aromas of red fruits, refreshing and enjoyable at any time of the day. If you think I'm exaggerating, give it a try and let me know what do you think!
Idylle d’Achinos, La tour Melas, PGI Central Greece
The Greek Provencal or better the rosé with the French touch and the Greek stamp. Grenache, Syrah and Agiorgitiko give an excellent rosé wine that deservedly won a place in the pantheon of best sellers.
Rose de Xinomavro, Thymiopoulos Vineyards, PGI Macedonia
The subversive Apostolos Thymiopoulos with the touch of Midas that individuate him, did his miracle again! Rose wine enclosed in a dark bottle? Rose from xinomavro that aged in an oak barrel for a while? Yes and it is incredible and so unique! It definitely demands for food.
Put rosés on your "to drink" list and they will not disappoint you.
Enjoy responsibly!
Tina Papasinou
Oenologist / DipWSET
