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Domaine de Gournier "Rochaubry" Rosé, Vin de Pays des Cévennes, 2009 ($10.99) - Maurice Barnouin purchased this beautiful, 200-hectare estate on the western edge of the Rhône Valley between Avignon and Nimes. He soon had to build a new winery when the original was destroyed in the 2002 floods. This terrific dry rosé is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Merlot, and Grenache. Harvested expressly for rosé (as opposed to the saignée method of bleeding off juice from a fermenting red wine), the grapes were vinified in stainless steel to optimize primary fruit flavors. Fresh and lively, it is brightly colored with explosive red berry fruits. Lion’s Ridge Dry Rosé, 2008 ($11.99) - Lion’s Ridge is a label from Clos La Chance. The delightful rosé is made from Grenache, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and a touch of Syrah grapes. After separate pressings, the must (juice and skins) was kept for two days at a temperature too low for fermentation to begin. This allowed for a slow extraction of color and flavor. Bieler Rosé, Provence, 2006 ($11.99) - This is one of the least expensive dry rosés from Provence, but it is quite charming and shows a softer texture and more fleshy, generous fruit than most. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a sub- or circa-threshold level of residual sugar here to brighten up the fruit, but it is still a dry wine that is perfect for warm weather sipping. Gunter Triebaumer Trie Blaufränkisch Rosé, 2008 ($12.99) - A lot of baffling words, but worth the effort. Gunter Triebaumer is the name of the Austrian winery owned by Gunter Triebaumer and Regina Limbeck. They farm 39.5 acres in Burgenland town of Rust. "Trie" is just a word they use for their basic red, white, and rosé wines to distinguish them from the more expensive varietal wines. "Blaufränkisch" is a dark-skinned ("blau" is German for "blue") grape varietal that is grown across central Europe. DNA profiling shows that it is a cross between Gouais Blanc and an unidentified Frankisch varietal. Gouais Blanc is one of the progenitors of Chardonnay! This charming rosé has more residual sugar than the rosés of Provence, but it also has balancing acidity and bright fruit. Some interesting Austrian recipes can be found at the Triebaumer website, www.triebaumer.at/en. Mulderbosch Rosé, South Africa, 2008 ($12.99) - Probably our best seller. Just slightly on the fruity side, this is a relatively dry rosé and a terrific crowd-pleaser. Chateau de Fontenille Clairet, Bordeaux Rosé, 2009 ($13.59) - Clairet is typically dark pink in style and may be described as a full bodied and deep colored type of rosé. It is considered a specialty of the Bordeaux region and is thought to have originated in Quinsac in the Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux. It is similar to the light wine called "vinum clarum" that was exported to England in the Middle Ages. The name is the source of the English term "claret." This Clairet, made from 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, features aromas of fresh red berries, crushed strawberries, and raspberries. It is ideal in summer with cold or grilled meats. Stéphane Defraine owns this 42-hectare property on clay and limestone with some gravel near the Abbey of La Sauve Majeure. The 4th century poet Ausone (!) praised the local wines here, and some ruins of his villa (Font e Melha) can still be found near the property. Turkey Flat Rosé, 2008 ($14.99) - Australia’s Turkey Flat has been a leader in making dry rosé. This is a blend of Grenache (63%), Shiraz, Cabernet, and Dolcetto. With 8g/L residual sugar, the 2008 is slightly drier than previous vintages, but it is impeccably balanced with fresh green apple crispness. James Halliday (the Robert Parker of Australia): "Bright fuschia; as elegant as always, made by a team that has developed great expertise with the style; offers an array of gently sweet red fruits on the mid-palate, then a balanced dry finish. Rating: 94 Points." Domaine Pélaquié Côtes du Rhône Rosé, 2009 ($14.99) - This rosé is light and crisp on the palate but clearly shows some southern Rhône character. The Pélaquié domaine, situated at Saint Victor la Coste, covers 70 hectares, a large part of which surround the family house. The current owner is Luc Pélaquié. The property has been owned by the Pélaquié family since the 16th century. The vineyards are quite diverse, permitting Luc to create wines with personality. Domaine Pélaquié Tavel Rosé, 2008 ($14.99) - This blend of Grenache and Cinsault comes from one of the top wineries of this great Rhône rosé Appellation. Sun-kissed, ripe, fruity, and rich, it deftly balances fully extracted fruit with classy acidity. Tanzer on the 2007: 88 points "Bright pink. Musky red berries and blood orange on the nose, with anise, herbal, and floral qualities adding complexity. Midweight red berry flavors are pleasingly bitter and tangy, displaying a slow-building cherry preserve quality on the back. Finishes with good length and lingering sappiness." Chateau Valcombe Rosé, Côtes
du Ventoux, 2009 ($16.99) - This terrific dry rosé was bottled unfined and unfiltered by
Paul Jeune, the sixth generation winemaker and owner of Domaine de
Montpertuis in Châteauneuf du Pape. He acquired Valcombe in 2000 from
Claude Fonquerle who had rediscovered the potential of this extraordinary
site at an altitude of 1000 feet on the lower slopes of majestic Mont
Ventoux. This elevation offers relief from the hot, dry Mediterranean
climate. “Galets,” rocks worn smooth and round by the Rhône River,
cover the ground. They reduce evaporation of the scarce moisture, and they
capture energy from the sun during the day, radiating it back on the vines
at night. These factors insure ideal ripening conditions for the grapes.
The difficult climate, rocky, infertile soil, and the old vines combine to
limit yields and produce remarkable quality. This is a blend of mostly
Cinsault with some Grenache and Counoise. Most of the vines are 60 years
old. Despite the dramatic weakening of the dollar since last year, the
price of this new release is unchanged from the 2006 Lauverjat Sancerre Rosé, 2009 ($19.99) - Although best known for Sauvignon Blancs, the Loire Valley villages entitled to use the name Sancerre actually grow a fair amount of Pinot Noir (20%). Made from 100% Pinot, this is bright, fresh, and minerally with forward fruit and vibrant acidity. Karine and Christian Lauverjat recommend airing this wine for 30 minutes and serving it at about 50 degrees F. Like many rosés, it is made using the saignée method. A tank of grape skins and juice is allowed to ferment for about a day before a small amount of wine is removed while it is still a rosé and allowed to complete fermentation in another tank. The skins remain in the original tank, producing a richer, darker red wine than if the rosé had not been bled off.
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