Guide To Rosés
Roses are red, but rosé is a type of wine that comes from a wide variety of red grapes.
Depending on where they come from, rosé wines can be called rosé, rosado, rosato, blush or Weißherbst, and sparkling comes in styles referred to as champagne, cava, prosecco, crement, etc, and vary in flavor from dry to fruity. Rosé wines are available in a spectrum of colors, ranging from the palest pink to light purple.
Sparkling wines are synonymous with celebration. There is something about those magical little bubbles that can turn the most ordinary day into an extraordinary event.
All prices are approximate and may vary.
Huber "HUGO" Sparkling Rose
$15
Although you might be surprised to learn they make sparkling wine in Austria, you'll probably be even more surprised by the pricetag on this bottle of orangey-pink deliciousness. Markus Huber is a tenth generation wine maker, and his winery in Reichersdorf, Austria makes the "HUGO" rosé from a blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir grapes. This is an approachable, fruity bubbly, with notes of strawberry and rose petal, and even a touch of banana. There is a subtle spice and mineral on the finish, which helps this budget sparkler to really stand out.
Patrick Bottex Vin De Bugey-Cerdon La Cueille Rose
$19
Methode Ancestrale is an ancient wine-making technique where the combination of juice and yeast (usually native, ambient) is bottled while it's undergoing fermentation; everything happens in the bottle. Lovers of natural wine should take note that Bugey-Cerdon is made with regional grapes (in this case, 80% Gamay and 20% Poulsard), and is left to ferment on its own terms, with little-to-no sulfer used. MA wines often possess a charming soft-sweetness, and very little alcohol (the Bugey-Cerdon has around 8% abv). Light pink in the glass, with gentle bubbles and wonderful strawberry flavors, this bubbly will pair beautifully with everything from soft cheeses to chocolate cake!
Parigot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé NV
$20
If you're looking to cut costs without cutting quality, the Parigot Crémant de Bourgogne is an excellent choice. Made from 100% Pinot Noir in Burgundy, France – the same region that produces some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir on the planet – this copper colored bubbly is made in the traditional Champagne method – méthode champenoise – and has flavors of ripe, bright, red fruit. This is a very sexy sipping wine, at a very attractive price.
Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé
$30
The Taittinger family has been making Champagne since 1734, so when they chose their estate in Carneros (between Napa and Sonoma, to the south), they knew what they were doing. The Carneros Brut Rosé is made from 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay grapes. It's soft and fruity on the attack, with a long, fruity, yeasty finish. Domaine Carneros is known as one of the very best sparkling wine houses in California, and their rosé is a special wine - perfect for special occassions.
NV Vilmart et Cie Cuvee Rubis Brut Rose
$70
In a tasting with four other people, everyone tasted this Champagne and had the same reaction: "Wow." These orange-pink sparklers possess the intriguing combination of both creaminess and high acidity, with notes of citrus, saline, flowers, and red fruit from 90% Pinot Noir (10% Chardonnay) grapes. This is an elegant, yet totally approachable wine, and puts many higher priced Champagnes to shame.
Billecart-Salmon Champagne
$70
The motto of the Billecort-Salmon house is "Tradition is meaningless without great quality," and that shows in this light-colored classic sparkling from Champagne, France. Notes of citrus and red fruit dance among the bubbles, with great mineral and bracing acidity. This is a great food wine but is also enjoyable all on its own. The estate grows its own grapes, but ninety percent of the fruit comes from within a 20-mile radius of Epernay. Blends vary from year to year. Most critics agree that this is one of the world-class champagnes at this - or any – price point.
