Every spring, roses wash up on store shelves. Makes sense; it’s a time when consumers are looking for crisp, fruitier wines to go with the season’s lighter fare and outdoor entertaining. At a recent tasting of a dozen roses, these five stood out. Serve chilled, and get ready for a hot time with these bottles.
2008 Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Rose
This Chilean winner stood out at once with a dark rose color that glowed in the glass. The nose offered traces of limestone, strawberry and mint. The flavor was full, a sweet-tart combo with berry spritzed with lime. Serve with cold grilled salmon, Thai red beef curry, chicken fajitas.
(3 corkscrews) $11
2008 Frog’s Leap La Grenouille
Rougante Pink
A California charmer from one of Napa Valley’s iconic wineries. Made primarily of valdiguie, also known as Napa gamay, the wine was colored a pale pink with an aromatic floral nose with a hint of vanilla. Raspberries and a touch of citrus on the palate. Long finish. Serve with potato salad, fried chicken.
(3 corkscrews) $14
2008 Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Rose Purisima Mountain Vineyard
From California’s Santa Ynez Valley, a subtle but pleasant wine with notes of limestone, strawberry and grapefruit. Pretty sunset hue, little aroma. Serve with Waldorf salad, Asian beef salad.
(2 corkscrews) $18
2008 Torres Sangre de Toro De Casta Rose
A Spanish blend of garnacha (also known as grenache) and Carinena grapes. Pale, strawberry color contrasted with jammy Jolly Rancher nose. Flavor was lean but high in acidity; mouthwatering. Serve with cold chicken in tonnato sauce, grilled mahi mahi, duck salad.
(2 corkscrews) $9
2008 El Coto Rioja Rose
This Spanish wine is made from garnacha and tempranillo grapes. Pale pink, a floral strawberry nose and a sweet fruit flavor kissed with a note of grapefruit. Serve with deviled eggs, trout pate, grilled shrimp.
(2 corkscrews) $10
You want that wine, but your store may not carry it. Perhaps there’s no distributor or importer in your area offering the wine. State law may prohibit you from ordering a wine from an Internet wine site or out-of-state retailer. What to do if your search for these wines runs dry? Ask your wine retailer for a wine similar in flavor, style and price.
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(4 corkscrews) Excellent
(3 corkscrews) Very good
(2 corkscrews) Good
(1 corkscrew) Fair
(No corkscrews) Poor
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wdaley@tribune.com
