I have this bizarre olfactory response when I smell the orange blossoms in early spring. It triggers the taste of my favorite raw honey, the feel of seersucker blazers, and espadrilles. As I wipe the pollen off my patio chairs and get ready to spend the late afternoons with friends, my mouth waters and does a micro pucker as I think about this year’s Rosé releases from France.
It is this time of year, as the weather begins to heat up, when Saturday pool parties with great food, good friends, and sexy music fill the calendar, and impromptu meals take place outside. I call my favorite wine store to see if the latest shipment of French Rosés are ready for me to pounce on. Rosés have been basking in the glory for the past decade on the East Coast, most notably The Hamptons, but are a staple wine all over the world.
Why is Rosé so amazing? Simple, it’s one of the most versatile food wines out there. Many of the imported Rosés are lower in alcohol, so it can be sipped, almost gulped, without getting totally inebriated, (but it does happen frequently). Rosés are light, dry, have floral aromatics, and can be full of fresh red fruit to the taste, depending on the region. For a more fruity but also dry Rosé, try a Italian rose (Rosato) or one from Spain (Rosado).
A great bottle of French Rosé from Provence can be as low as $15.00 (so buy a couple of cases). It’s perfect for parties. People who don’t like white wine and find it too hot outside to drink a red, do just great with a Rosé. Off to a brunch or dinner party and want to bring something different then a bottle of Veuve? Show up with a couple bottles of Rosé and watch your European friends smile. No doubt, the Rosé will be the first to disappear. It goes great with grilled fish, paella, burgers or just about any pasta. Plus, you look beautiful drinking this glistening, deliciously dry pink wine.
Here is what I’ll be stalking and depleting my fridge with:
- MiP *Made in Provence, Domaine Sante Lucie, 2012 – $14.99
- Château du Rouet, 2012 (great shaped bottle also) – $12.99
- Domaine De La Fouquette, 2012 – $15.99
- Hrieure, Tavel, 2012 (great with burgers) – $19.99
- Emanuel Tres, Santa Barbara County, Rosado, 2012 (had to throw in a local) – $14.99
And while we’re at it, if you’re looking for great pool party music that gets people moving, chilling and drinking, here is a teaser of what’s to come this summer. These are full length CDs.
- Poolside – Pacific Standard Time – When people are starting to get warmed up.
- Cayucos – Bigfoot – Just like the beach town where they are from… chill, fun, cool, and feels what coastal California is about.
- Nude Dimensions – Vol. 2, Various Artists – When the sun goes down and your alcohol level goes up, slip this on!
- Classixx – Hanging Gardens – Put this on at anytime, it’s sexy and fun and creeps up on you.
- Rhye – Woman – Think Sade with a splash of electronic. When the party winds down and it’s time to kick up your feet, this is the one.
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About John “Wig” Wigmanich: Prior to his career in real estate, Wig was a wine consultant in San Luis Obispo, where he consulted on everything from the selection of grapes from different vineyards to choosing the types of barrels to use. His passions are surfing uncrowded waves (you just have to know where to go), creating fun get togethers with friends, cooking with wood, and making things beautiful. He is a feng shui consultant who loves gardening, yoga, and remodeling spaces. He is also a DJ for “Learn About Wine” events in the Summer.
