Can’t get to France this summer? No worries, you can still drink like the French by enjoying a refreshing glass of French rosé.
Most French rosés come from the Provence region. Traditional French rosé wine is made from only red grape varieties and is dry on the palette (unlike American rosés that tend to be on the sweeter side). The color of a French rosé can range from extremely pale to deep ruby in color.
Rosé wines get their color either from the amount of grape skin contact before fermentation. Red grapes are crushed and the skins remain in contact with the grape juice for a period of two or three days, instead of being left in contact with the juice throughout the fermentation process (as would be the case with red wine production).
Served chilled, a glass rosé wine is a great way to unwind at the end of a hot summer day. Rosés also compliment a variety of French summer dishes from salads to fish to charcuterie and cheese platters. Here's what I have in my cellar during the summer months:
La Ferme Julien Rosé (2006): This wine features a lovely deep pink color with scents of berries, spice and pepper. Retail: $5.99
Château du Rhône Rosé (2007): Pinkish-peace in color, this rosé is characterized by subtle, velvety fruit flavors. Retail: $7.99
Domaine de Figueirasse Gris de Gris (2009): This wine has a dry minerality and notes of candied cherry and rose petal. Retail: $11.99
Red Bicyclette Rosé (2005): Red Bicyclette Rosé is on the sweeter side for a French rosé, full of robust red fruit flavor: strawberry, raspberry and a hint of citrus. Retail: $10.99
Jaboulet Côtes du Rhône Parallèle 45 Rosé (2005): This classic French rosé is dominated by flavors of raspberries and strawberries with a bit of spice on the finish. Retail: $10.99
Flickr: catsper
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