To the patio! 2016 vintage rosé wines hit B.C. shelves
'They look good, taste delicious and signify the beginning of patio season'
The 2016 vintage of rosé wines is arriving in B.C. and On The Coast master of wine Barbara Philip says buyers are already snapping them up.
"The wines are selling almost as immediately as they hit the shelves," Philip told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn. "They look good, taste delicious and signify the beginning of patio season."
Philip says the trend this year is for dry rosé and Provence is the most famous area for this style — almost 90 per cent of their production is pink.
However, she says, there are also a few offerings from other parts of the world, including B.C.
Here are her picks for great 2016 rosé wines.
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Quail's Gate Rosé. Okanagan Valley. 2016. $16.99
"The best place to drink this wine is at the winery's Old Vines restaurant overlooking the lake but, if you can't make it until later this summer, bring some of the juicy fruit of the Okanagan to your own patio. The blend is based on Gamay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris."
Château Barbebelle 'Cuvée Madeleine.' Côteaux Aix en Provence. France. 2016. $19.99
"Based on Grenache, this lovely wine has herbal, lemon and wild strawberry notes. It is a fuller-style Provençal rosé balanced by sprightly acidity."
La Vie en Rose. Côtes de Provence. France. 2016. $22.99
"La Vie en Rose has a nice richness to it, balanced by fresh grape, flowers and aniseed notes. Try it with perfectly roasted chicken."
Filarino. Sangiovese Rosato. Rubicone. Italy. 2016 $16.99
"Pleasant cherry skin bitterness on the palate of this pink Sangiovese means it will pair well with smoky meats and summer pastas. Expect floral, citrus and ripe jammy plum flavours."
Piria Paltrinieri. Lambrusco di Sorbara Frizzante. Italy. $21.99
"The Lambrusco di Sorbara sub variety gives a pale pink wine with savory and floral notes. This excellent wine is dry and would make a great partner to charcuterie and cheese."
With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast