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Matt asked me to write about Rosé. I’ve hesitated a bit to be honest - not because I don’t like rosé (I love it) but, because I’m not sure I have anything unique to say about it.

Here’s what you need to know about rosé:
-There are three ways to make rosé
    -start by making red wine, bleed some of the juice off while it’s still pink (saignée, most common)
    -use red grapes to make white wine (direct press, very light wines)
    -add some red wine to white (mostly in champagne)
-Domaine Tempier Bandol helped start the current appreciation of dry rosé
    -Kermit Lynch has imported it for many moons
    -Chez Panisse will serve you a glass with dinner in the summer as an aperitif
-Most rosé’s are dry
    -white zin was cooked up to deal with a surplus of bad CA grapes in the 70’s
    -Bugey Cerdon is the best thing in the world, and it’s sweet
-Good Rosé wines exist in just about every place in the world that makes wine
    -Southern France (Provence, home of Bandol, in particular) is a benchmark
    -Many CA producers are experimenting with the style

In many ways, rosé is the ultimate “little wine.” There’s little or no point in analyzing it too deeply (or god forbid, scoring it), because it’s a purely sensual thing – rosé just wants to be drunk, and it makes you want to drink it.

The word hedonist is often used to describe red wines that taste more like pancake syrup than wine. In my world, rosé is the definition of hedonistic – crisp, refreshing, light and lively. The kind of wine that sings – an echo of the setting sun, an instant reminder of warm weather and days outdoors.

 

So, here’s this week’s homework:
1) Buy a bottle (or two) of good rosé. Here’re two I like:
    -Robert Sinsky 2006 Vin Gris (it’s biodynamically grown too!!!)
    -Chateau de Puligny Montrachet 2006 Bourgogne Rosé de Pinot Noir
2) Invite two friends over after work (keep it small)
3) Get some of your favorite salty munchies
    -Cheese, Charcuterie, etc
    -(I like Kettle Spicy Thai chips)
4) Put on a good record
    -Something sunny, and maybe a little melancholy
    -(I like LCD Soundsystem’s Sound of Silver, particularly "Someone Great")
5) Open up the wine, eat munchies, share with the friends
6) Watch the sunset
7) Wish you had another bottle
8) Repeat as soon (and as often) as possible
Extra Credit:
9) Write a haiku about this experience, and post it in the comments of this post

Comments

[s.]

paul-
does your blog have an address more specific to your site than www.mattbites.com? - i want to put a link on my own blog: http://savvyvins.blogspot.com/
i like what you're doing. and you're dead on about rosé.
cheers

[Kirstin]

Hi Paul-
My name's Kirstin, and I just started a blog focused on Wine and Food Pairing- I work with wine and cook professionally and aim to demystify the wine and food topic for people to make it all more approachable and less scary. Comfortable.
My blog name for the moment is Rosé Membrillo in honor of the great Spanish pairing of Rosé and Membrillo-quince paste- and Manchego cheese. So, wanted to say that I really appreciate your blog, the latest post especially about rosé, and the friendly way you talk about wine. Although, I feel like I cheated in my Rosé explanation on a blog post after reading yours! Very nice.

Kirstin
at vindelatable.blogspot.com

[SFJoe]

Paul,

do you really drink that much rosé from the south? I find a lot of Provencal stuff a little hot, even iced. CRB, OTOH, is the thing.

J

[guy from Texas]

It won't be so bad;
warm summer nights on the porch.
Cold Bugey Cerdon.

I don't remember how you punctuate these things, but Robert Parker gave it a 95!

[Paul Courtright]

Joe -
I generally agree. Note that I said that southern French are among the best known, not the best.
Clos Roche Blanche Rosé is indeed one of my favorites!

[Adam]

I would like to place an order for a warm sunny day,salty snacks & a case of Bugey Cerdon.

[loulou]

You haven't lived until you've sat with friends in the hot summer sun (or better yet in a swimming pool) drinking rosé and whiling the afternoon away.

[Kenyo]

Thank you for a lovely post. I must rediscover rose. Starting now.

[s'kat]

I wish I'd known about this last Friday, when me, my husband and a friend kicked back with a couple of bottles of Turkey Flat!

[helenjane]

Etude '06 Rose was my wine.

perfect bocce wine
sublime with all bruschetta
sun don't set quite yet

[Mary]

Warm summer evening.
Ice cubes clink in my pink wine.
I slip olives in your mouth.

[Jason]

Paul- I hope Austin is treating you both well. I need to pick your brain.... How long can Bugey Cerdon be cellared? I'm making my way though a couple of cases and because I'm not a very big drinker, I'm worried that i'll end up with spoiled bottles on my hands..

So, can I take my time..or have a Bugey party?

I know you'll know, so I thought I'd ask!

All the best-
Jason