
It's OK To Drink
Rosé!
We just love to sell (and drink) good dry
Rosé, and this year we have one of the largest selections
of Rosé wines in North
Carolina from around the world! Here are some of our
favorites:
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Chateau Bellevue La Foret Rose 2010 ($11.99) The Fronton
appellation, just southwest of Bordeaux, produces wines of the little know
Négrette grape. This late developing grape is comparable to Pinot Noir or
Mourvedre in tannin and acidity, forms the backbone of this easy drinking
rosé. A blend of 70% Negrette is balanced by 20% Gamay and 10% Syrah. Red
berry and dark cherry notes are lifted by citrus and mineral flavors on the
lingering finish. A well-rounded warm weather sipper with a wallet friendly
price tag! |
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Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosé 2000 ($24.99) We normally advocate
drinking rosés as young as possible, but this is no ordinary dry rosé, as
evidenced by the 2000 vintage date. Released only when the winemaker feels
it’s ready to drink, the extended aging results in a nose of orange
blossoms, honey and dried fruits, with a sherried characteristic on the
palate that is accompanied by orange marmalade, tangerine and toasted
almonds. Estate blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura. |
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Vissoux "Les Griottes" Beaujolais Rosé 2010,
France ($16.99) Pierre-Marie Chermette is far and away one of
our favorite producers in Beaujolais, and his ‘Les Griottes’ Gamay rosé is
further evidence of why. The nose offers up white peach and berry aromas,
while the palate is beautifully dry, with a succulent mouth feel and
refreshing acidity. Medium-bodied, juicy and thirst-quenching, this is an
all-purpose summer sipper. Enjoy it with a pulled pork sandwich and
coleslaw.
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Chateau de Manissey Tavel
Rosé 2010, France ($18.99) This blend of Grenache, Cinsault,
Clairette and Bourboulenc is the perfect expression of Tavel, the only
French AOC that produces only Rosé. Aromatic red fruits jump from the glass
and are kissed by hints of minerality and melon. The wine's elegance and
richness is enhanced by a round, white peppery palate, firm acid and a
harmonious finish. Great with charcuterie, mild cheeses, or baked fish.
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La Bastide Blanche Bandol
Rosé 2010, France ($22.99) Bandol has become the global
benchmark for rosé wines, and with many prices about $35, this sustainably
produced rosé has become a real value! Domaine de la Bastide Blanche's
Bandol rosé is a blend of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache made in a
full-bodied style with a complex core, energetic red fruit, and hints of
minerality and herbaceous notes. It compares favorably to the benchmark
roses of the region, Tempier and Domaine Ott. Drink it on its own or with
classic Mediterranean cuisine, such as salad Niçoise.
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Chateau de Ségrìes Rosé 2010, Tavel, Rhône Valley,
France ($17.99)
The appellation of Tavel, located just southwest of
Châteauneuf-du-Pape in southern France, makes only rosé wines which are
often regarded as some of the finest in the world. Aromas and flavors of
strawberries, raspberries and white flowers emerge from this elegant, yet
intense rosé. The spicy finish is dry, fresh and impressively lengthy.
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Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
2010 ($39.95 net)
Arguably the most celebrated rosé in France, Domaine Tempier
is a blend of Mouvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan from 20+ years
old vines growing on a combination of clay and limestone in Provence. When
Lucie Tempier married Lucien Peyraud in 1934, her father gave them Domaine
Tempier, an estate dating back to the 1700's. Lucien was so taken with the
wines from the estate, he went about establishing Bandol as its own A.O.C.
and helped revive Mourvèdre to its former glory in that region.
An intense fruit & floral nose with full rounded peach and
pomegranate flavors, delicate spice notes and a pleasantly fresh finish.
Excellent with steamed shellfish, light tomato dishes and fresh creamy
cheeses. This is the pinnacle of French rosé, and its rarity is reflected in
the price. Sadly, we have only 6 bottles to sell.
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Muralhas de Moncão Vinho Verde Rosé
2010 ($11.99)
One of our most popular Rosé wines has arrived with the new
2010 vintages. A blend of Alvarelhão produces wine that is
fairly light in many respects but it is also very well balanced with good
acid levels, Pedral, grown mostly in the Monção
sub-region, is an early ripening grape producing moderate amounts of sugar
and light ruby colored wines and Vinhão, mainly appreciated
for its coloring qualities, since it creates deeply red coloured wines,
opaque to light. It is also one of the rare teinturier (red-fleshed) grapes
in the world.
Light pink in color. Nice racy acidity with a bit of spritz
and great red berry fruit with some watermelon notes. This is a dry food
friendly rose that will pair with so many different foods but in particular
spicy Latin and Asian food like Thai or Schezwaun.
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Colterenzio Lagrein Rosé 2010, Alto Adige, Italy ($16.99)
Traditionally called Lagrein “Kretzer”, after a wickerwork sieve once used
to separate the skins from the juice, this wine is one of the world’s finest
rosès: full-bodied, unashamedly fruity, refreshing and with vibrant acidity.
An ideal summer wine, excellent as aperitif and superb combined with sliced
meat, smoked or grilled fish & light pasta dishes.
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Tegernseerhof Zweigelt Rosé 2010
($13.99)
Consistently one of our best selling wines in the
store. The 2010 vintage shows brilliant neon pink color with fresh cherry,
lavender and rose petal aromas. Dry yet juicy crushed red berry fruit on the
palate balanced with fresh acidity and just a peek of spice on the crisp
lively finish. This is summertime in a glass. Great with picnic foods,
salads, mild cheeses or fish dishes.
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Domaine Houchart Cotes du
Provence Rosé 2010 ($10.99)
An annual favorite from the Quiot
family, this gorgeous dry rosé has the soul of a young
Tavel at half the price. Delicate wild red raspberry
flavors, a touch of spice and a bright finish make this
a perfect match with soft cheeses, quiche and steamed
shellfish. This is the quintessential Provençal Rosé.
The 2010 vintage is outstanding.
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Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
Rosé 2010, Stellenbosch, South Africa ($11.99, less
25% by the case!)
A lively and refreshing rosé made
from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers alluring aromas
of rose petals and red cherry and strawberry fruits.
Fresh crisp flavors of wild strawberry, cherry, and
tangy pomegranate follow, accented with a delicate
spice. Zippy yet substantial, this rosé is a great match
for everything from crab cakes to roasted poultry with
an herb thyme sauce.
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Montes "Cherub"
Rosé 2009 ($17.99) Always crafted
in a hearty style by rosé standard, Montes' 'Cherub' is
made from 100% Syrah and displays fresh cherry and
strawberry fruit. The wine has clean flavors and crisp
acidity, with no oak influence. The wine is equally at
home paired with an herb-crusted pork tenderloin or a
simple barbecue pork sandwich.
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Sparkling Rosés
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Michlits Pinot Noir
Frizzante, Burgenland, Austria ($16.99) Michlits has
a way of producing a juicy, fresh and fruity expression of Pinot Noir.
Mouthfilling Cremant-like bubbles are lively yet soft, allowing the delicate
red berry and cherry flavors to shine through to the clean and lively
finish. Fruit-driven but not overly sweet, this is perfect on its own or a
delicious complement to light hors d’oeuvre on Sunday brunch.
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Hillinger ‘Secco’; Burgenland, Austria
($16.99)
100% Pinot Noir crafted
into a sparkling wine made in the Prosecco style, with
delicate aromas of fresh strawberries and red berries which
follow through on the palate. The flavors are beautifully
balanced with a vibrant and refreshingly finish. Make any
day a celebration!
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Lini 910 Lambrusco Secco Rosé; Emilia-Romagna, Italy
($16.99) This is about as far removed as you can get from
the Lambrusco on your grocery store shelves. This deeply
colored, dry, sparkling rosé has cherry and strawberry
aromas, a creamy texture and moderate alcohol, making it a
perfect picnic wine, and a natural pair with a platter of
Parmigiano Reggiano, thinly sliced Prosciutto and crusty
bread with olive oil. |
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Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé, Champagne, France
($59.99)
Bright, orange-tinged pink. Powerful, musky redcurrant
and cherry on the nose, with brighter blood orange and pungent anise coming
up with air. Lively, focused, sneakily powerful flavors of redcurrant and
raspberry are underscored by smoky minerals. Finishes with very good
clarity, minerality and spicy cut.
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Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, Reims, Champagne, France
($68.99 net)
"The NV Brut Rose Premier Cru is intriguing in the
way it floats on the palate in an ethereal expression of freshly cut flowers
and berries. This is an understated, cooly elegant wine with great balance
and class. Clean, chalky notes mark the finish." Robert Parker's The
Wine Advocate #192
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R. Dumont Brut Rosé NV ($39.99) The Champagne house of Dumont is in
Champignol-lez-Mondeville, a village in the southern Champagne region of the
Aube. The Dumonts have owned vineyards in this area for over two hundred
years and today three Dumont brothers work together to produce Champagne
exclusively from their own 54 acres. This decadent rosé is fresh and fruity
with elegant flavors of cranberry and ripe red raspberries.
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Renardat-Fache Cerdon
Rosé NV, Bugey, France ($21.99) Bugey, one
of the most obscure wine regions in France, uses a technique appropriately
named “methode ancestrale.” Similar to the champagne method, this produces
fruit-driven grapey wines with alcohol hovering around 8%, and with a fair
amount of residual sugar. This berry-scented bubbly is very refreshing, and
is great as an aperitif!
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NV Francois Montand
Brut Rosé (France. $15.99)
Light and refreshing with
aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and cherries with a
dry and lively finish. Its supple effervescence delicately
plays on your palate making this delicious sparkler easy to
enjoy. Classy enough for a special occasion but inexpensive
enough to enjoy with chips and salsa, a stunningly great
match.
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NV Louis Perdrier Brut
Rosé
(France. $9.99)
This medium-bodied bargain
sparkler features refreshingly delicate scents and flavors
of red fruits that leads to a nice, dry finish with a fine
effervescence. Made from Pinot Noir blended with a
cluster of other varietals it's an altogether amazing value
to pair with hors d'oeuvres, smoked salmon, on its own or
your next get together.
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Avinyo Reserva Cava
Rosat (Penedès,
Spain. $26.99)
"Powerful raspberry and
cherry aromas are deepened by musky spices and an exotic
tobacco quality. Chewy red and dark berry flavors are firmed
by bitter cherry akin and pick up licorice and blood orange
character with air. More a light red wine than a pink Cava,
offering serious depth and finishing cling. I'd serve this
singular wine with spicy chorizo and salty sheep's milk and
blue cheeses." Stephen Tanzer's
International Wine Cellar
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Gruet Brut Rosé NV (New Mexico. $16.99)
This nearly garnet Rosé has a lovely, bright floral bouquet with hints of
strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. On the palate, it is rich and fruity in a
dry, Brut style. The flavor of berries continues on the palate throughout
the glass. This sparkler is lots of fun and would be a great match with
smoked salmon or heartier hors d’oeuvres. |
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