Happy International Rose Day!
Since Steamers has been opened, we have noticed that people's interest about Rose wines only got bigger and bigger.
And we still have customers ordering this type of wine even if temperatures have dropped a little...
But we all know why?
Rose definition in "our" dictionary: the perfect wine to be enjoyed with friends on the terrace in the afternoon or with seafood or for long lunches or for catching up between friends or for any occasion really, because it is so good.
Now yes, Rose will generally be easier to be your go-to wine in summer because it is served cold, it is generally dry light and fresh.
But some Roses will work perfectly in the cold days too.
The Rockford Alicante Bouschet
It comes from one of the Barossa Valley most legendry wineries.
There, they have decided to work with Alicante grape varietal.
A bit of background for beginners: Originally from Spain where they make big and generous red wines out of it (18-22% of alcohol)
In the case of the Rockford, working with this style of grape help giving dimension and structure to the rose. It appears to be a sweet style on the nose (lots of strawberry flavor) but it is perfectly dry and has that sort of "big body" typical from this red grape.
Besides, skin contact gives it a deep dark Ruby colour, as the grapes themselves being almost black on the vines.
The Rockford Alicante Bouschet
It comes from one of the Barossa Valley most legendry wineries.
There, they have decided to work with Alicante grape varietal.
A bit of background for beginners: Originally from Spain where they make big and generous red wines out of it (18-22% of alcohol)
In the case of the Rockford, working with this style of grape help giving dimension and structure to the rose. It appears to be a sweet style on the nose (lots of strawberry flavor) but it is perfectly dry and has that sort of "big body" typical from this red grape.
Besides, skin contact gives it a deep dark Ruby colour, as the grapes themselves being almost black on the vines.
The other example is the Domaine Ray-Jane AOC Bandol from Provence in France.
In this most classic region, Roses are light and fresh, being at least 90% of the time Grenache blends. But in the little sub-region of Bandol, winemakers only work with Mourvedre for Roses and Reds.
Mourvedre (or Mataro) is that typical M that we've seen in GSM blends coming from the Rhone Valley in France or South Australia.
Working with Mourvedre means looking for a good structured wine, with powerful aromatics, smoky character and great length.
Well this particular wine from Domaine Ray-Jane excels in all of them.
More than this, like a Chardonnay, It will benefit from getting a little warmer that just sitting in an ice bucket, and will turn to a red wine feel, with a pink color...
We love Rose and so should you...
Happy International Rose Day!