Codorniu Brut Rose

Spring is here which is the prefect time to start drinking those beautiful roses! Codorniu is the world's oldest and second-largest producer of bottle-fermented sparkling wine, known as cava, made by the traditional champagne method and it was founded in Catalonia, Spain in 1551. The Codorniu Brut Rose is made from 100% Pinot Noir grape grown in the Catalonia region of Spain. Catalonia is located in the southeastern portion of the country surrounding Barcelona. This sparkling wine is made from the traditional method with the secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle.  

The Codorniu Brut Rose is a pale pink color.  On the nose are aromas of bright red cherry, raspberry, banana peel, banana runt candy, wet stone minerality, sweet orange blossom, fresh strawberry, and white stone.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, sweet orange, ripe mango, banana peel, dried cherry, unripe raspberry, fresh lavender, and minerality for days! This wine was a VERY pleasant surprise and one that I hope you all will enjoy throughout the upcoming spring months.

Valdinera Rose

Valdinera Nebbiolo Rose

 

Valdinera Nebbiolo Rose

Spring is here which is the prefect time to start drinking those beautiful roses! The Valdinera Rose is made from 100% Nebbiolo grape grown in the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy.  Piedmont is located in the northwestern portion of the country and it is known for red wines made of Nebbiolo and Barbera.  This wine is sealed with a screw cap and has an alcohol level of 13.5%.

The Valdinera Rose is a pale pink color.  On the nose are aromas of bright red cherry, raspberry, banana peel, banana runt candy, wet stone minerality, sweet orange blossom, fresh strawberry, and white stone.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, sweet orange, ripe mango, banana peel, dried cherry, unripe raspberry, fresh lavender, and minerality for days! This wine was a VERY pleasant surprise and one that I hope you all will enjoy throughout the upcoming spring months. 

Some great food pairing ideas for roses are:

• Seafood items of grilled tuna, fresh salmon, and shrimp with a creamy aioli

• Charcuterie such as salami, mortadella, prosciutto, and chorizo

• Cold salads or vegetables such as tuna nicoise, asparagus, and green beans

• Grilled cheese sandwiches made with rich, creamy cheese!

Graham Beck Brut Rose NV

Graham Beck Brut Rose NV

 

Within the wine region of South Africa sparkling wine is called Cap Classique. All Cap Classique is produced by the Methode Champenoise or as it is known in South Africa Methode Cap Classique. The Graham Beck winery was founded in 1983 by not other than Graham Beck himself. The majority
of vineyards are located in Robertson and Stellenbosch. Graham Beck winery has built a reputation for creating outstanding wines as well as being a pioneer of the South African wine industry.

The Graham Beck Brut Rose is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. This sparkling wine is a pale salmon color. On the nose are notes of strawberry, raspberry, lemon tart, steely minerality, gunflint, fresh roses, and red cherry. On the palate are hints of lavender, wild strawberry, wet stone minerality, fresh flowers, yeast, pomegranate, and strawberry cream soda. The Graham Beck Brut Rose has a long finish and zesty acidity. Truly, delicious.

Fun Fact!  Graham Beck Brut NV was selected by Michele Obam in celebration of Barack Obama's acceptance speech of the US Presidency in 2009. 

Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose

Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose

 

What can I say?! I am a sucker for a pink sparkling wine!  The opportunity presented itself to take home a bottle of the limited edition (only 1,700 cases were made) Contadi Castaldi Brut Rose.  The NV (non vintage) Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose is produced in Lombardy, Italy located in the northeastern portion of the country.  The exact type of sparkling wine is known as Franciacorta DOCG which is an Italian sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne style with secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle.  This wine is fermented for a minimum of 18 months, but may not be released until 25 months after harvest.  Only Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc grapes are allowed in this sparkler.  Castaldi has an alcohol level of 12.5% and is sealed with a natural cork.  

The Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose is surprisingly not as rose in color as expected, but is a pale peach color with golden hues.  On the nose are hints of fresh straw, sweet honeysuckle, sweet orange zest, ripe raspberry, toasted almond, unripe peach, tart blackberry, and minerality.  On the palate are flavors of cassis, white pepper, mandarin orange, pink flowers, strawberry, fresh baked bread, slight cream, unripe apricot, lemon zest, and wet stone minerality.  This sparkling wine finished with bright acidity and a soft fullness.      

Charles & Charles Rose

The weather is getting hotter and there is nothing like a delicious rose to add some chill to the long dog days of summer.  The 2011 Charles and Charles Rose is made from 100% Syrah and is produced in Columbia Valley, Washington.  The Charles and Charles Rose is the collaboration of Charles Smith and Charles Bieler two self proclaimed bad asses of wine making.  Ever seen the stickers that say, "Yes, you can drink rose and still be a bad ass."? Yep, that is them!  This wine is sealed with a screw top and has an alcohol level of 13%.  

This wine is a dark pink color.  On the nose are hints of white peach, wild strawberry, pear skin, fresh cut watermelon, ripe cherry, wet river stone, white pepper, and white blossoms.  The palate has big bold flavors of strawberry, watermelon, vanilla cream soda, over ripe raspberry, cinnamon, peach blossom, and fresh peach.  Overall, one of my absolute FAVORITE roses that I will be drinking more than once during the hot upcoming summer months!