Spring has sprung in Dixon, NM! The trees are in bloom, the flowers are popping up and it is officially Rose Wine Season! Wait, did Rose Season ever end??? No, not really, it is a year round phenomenon, but now that Mother's Day is approaching and the sun is out, it certainly feels like there is an intensity driving sales.
With so many options for Rose, how does one pick from the packed shelves, Facebook posts, magazine ratings, ads and what your friends claim are the best Rose wines? Well, you don't have to pick just one! Let's dive into selecting a Rose for every occasion.
1st, a quick tip: any grape can be made into a sweet or dry wine. That process and decision is handled by the winemaker during fermentation. It is YOUR job to read labels and get to know regions. I know, no one likes homework, but I promise it will pay off. Or at least keep some cheat sheets in your phone to refer to when shopping. Basics fall into warm climate equal ripe fruit, cool climates equal higher acidity so if you are looking for a zesty, bright Rose, you want cool climate. If you want a bold fruity Rose, you want warm climate. Next you want to look at the type of grape. Pinot Noir makes lighter wines, Syrah makes richer wines, it still applies when making Rose. And the final, obvious aspect is the descriptions on the label. Yep, right there on the back label it will say "dry" (not sweet), "off dry" ( a little sweet), or "sweet" (we are talking really SWEET at that point).
Rose Bubbly: Remember it can only be called Champagne if it is from Champagne, France, otherwise it is "sparkling wine", or in more popular vernacular "Bubbly". If you are still thinking you need a special occasion to open a bottle of Bubbly, you are way way WAY behind the times! Bubbles are for all day, every day, and a Rose Bubbly is one of the most versatile wines on the planet. Its high acidity is fantastic with everything from cheese, to hamburgers to dessert. Make sure you chill the entire bottle down (neck too) to 43*, really cold. Ever wonder why some sparkling wines spray out when you pop the cork? They weren't cold enough. This type of wine is a little tricky to shop for because they did things backwards and really dry is "extra brut", dry is "brut", while off dry is "extra dry" and sweet is "dry", and sweet sweet is "demi sec". Another tricky thing is the names other countries have decided to use for sparkling wines, such as; Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain), Cremant (rest of France) or Sket (Germany). Now Vivac doesn't currently have a Bubbly, but believe me, it is in the works. Until then, my easy go to for a quality, everyday Bubbly is Mumm or Chandon, with cost saving options coming from Spain (Cava) if you like a less sweet option and Italy (Prosecco) for a fruitier option. There are also plenty of cheaper labels like Yes Way Rose or Underwood in cans that are pretty great for the money.
Light Bodied Rose Wines: These wines you can literally see in the bottle are lighter in color. That means less skin contact which makes for a more delicate wine. These are great wines for day time parties (think bridal or baby showers) served with light finger foods. They make great brunch wines because they generally have higher acidity which handles the high fat foods beautifully. They are ideal for picnics and sunny days at the lake as they are refreshing. A fabulous example is our Rose of Sangiovese which last vintage won a Double Gold at THE Rose Competition and won a Gold just now at the LA Invitational International. Vivac Winery Rose of Sangiovese
Full Bodied Rose Wines: A darker color wine means a more robust flavor. These wines are generally made from the bigger, bolder grapes and a little more skin contact. These are the wines that can tackle the bigger foods like BBQ. They are perfect for evening soiriees and big parties where there are people that prefer whites and those that prefer reds, but come together to love Rose. Looking for a wine to sever at a pot luck? Definitely a bolder Rose! The perfect expression of this style is our Rose of Cabernet which won a Silver at the LA Invitational International, the TX International, and the Great American International. Vivac Winery Rose of Cabernet
Another amazing thing about Rose Wines? They make fantastic wine cocktails! A super simple option is to take a fruitier Rose and add a splash of sparkling water to it. Want to dress it up? Throw in some frozen fruit. Hot as hell outside, throw it in a blender with ice. Need a little extra kick? Add Rose to Gin or Vodka with a lemon wedge and a splash of cointreau over ice.
Raise a glass with us, shout "Viva Vino!" and come enjoy a Rose Spritzer at our Tasting Room on Mother's Day!
Have a party, dinner, or day drinking in mind that you need help pairing? Message me at Michele@VivacWinery.com and I will happily help.
