WINE
The Many Shades of Rosé BY ERTAN SENER
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There are no standards of taste in wine, cigars, poetry, prose, etc. Each man’s own taste is the standard, and the majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard,” –Mark Twain, 1895. I remember this quote every time I taste, especially when I am choosing wine for others to enjoy. The one style of wine that is becoming easier and easier to suggest, but still might get a pause and a raised eyebrow when suggested is…rosé. No, no, no…not that sweet pink stuff that you have to get when your great aunt comes over for the holidays (and even that is okay; refer to the opening quote!), but that wonderful, dry, refreshing wine when chilled is the bridge of enjoyment between white and red. Let’s take a Wine 101 moment to explore the world of rosé in two easy steps.
Raspberry, Black Pepper, Herbs, Pears, Peach, Passion Fruit, Orange Blossoms, Floral, Wild Strawberries… see what I mean. That is just a short list of perfumes that will jump out of the glass. Well time to help the wine. STEP 2: TASTE Rosés are a great wine for this time of year when temperatures are rising, and it might be too hot for a glass of red. The taste of rosé, depending on the grape variety or varieties used, could reflect the similar scents that are on the nose. Besides the reflection a great refreshing fruit flavors, delivered over the palate with this dry wine, is the texture or mouth feel. Rosé is meant to be served chilled so it immediately perks up the palate, then the senses are surprised by the wonderful reflection of red fruit the flavor has to offer. All this pleasure is contained in a liquid that has a creamy texture that covers the taste buds in all its beauty. Rosé is a fantastic choice for an endless list of food pairings. Perfect pair for anything in the picnic basket, especially any mayonnaise-based dressings or spreads. Chicken salad, egg salad, aiolis, deviled eggs, you get the picture. Rosés are great with salads and can stand up to many styles of salad dressings. Just because it’s pink doesn’t mean it is not tough. Rosé can stand up to certain foods that are not wine-friendly such as artichokes and
STEP 1: SMELL Remember to take time to stop and smell the rosés! The overall smell of each wine is as unique as its color and taste profile. Get your nose really in there to discovery all the wonders of rosé. The “nose”(the bouquet and aroma of the wine) can be as pretty as the color. You’ll be amazed of all the components the nose might contain. Wild Cherry, Pink Grapefruit,
asparagus! Flank steak, sure! Chicken, of course! Pastas with a light tomato cream sauce, um…YUM! There are really no bad pairings with rosé, just some that are better than others. Not just for hot weather, rosé is great as a choice on the Thanksgiving table. When whites are not enough and reds are too much, I tend to think pink; rosé that is. Rosé definitely has its place in the color wheel of wine. Have fun this season trying the variations on a theme with all the rosés there are to sample. Rosé is that no brainer when you are looking for that perfect wine to pair with an outdoor concert, grillin’ at a picnic, or just relaxing on the front porch this summer season. If the color pink makes you stop and think you are setting yourself up to be teased, remember the words of former rocker-now wine-maker Charles Smith: “Yes, you can drink rosé and still be BAD –SS!” Cheers! Buyer/Manager West Side Wines & Spirits 10 Raymond Road West Hartford 06107 860.233.1241
Ertan Sener is also an accomplished musician working as a Conductor/Music Educator at the Hartt School, University of Hartford, Music Director of The Simsbury Community Band and former conductor with The New Britain Symphony Orchestra.
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Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020 west hartford magazine 43
