I'm listening to the birds going crazy in the garden this a.m. - if only I could sing like that! - and all I can think of is Rose. It's not even going to be that warm out today - and the sun is masked by a haze of fog - so why is Rose on my mind? And what's on the horizon for this year's releases?
We've been tasting again for our store Wine Valet at Two Rodeo Drive and inevitably each distributor introduces us to a first time release of Rose from many of the wineries.
Now Rose is pretty cheap to make so it's not surprising to me that people are experimenting. Wikipedia calls Rose a "by product" (sounds toxic to me!) The first roses came from a region near Anjou in France - I have great memories of staying there a long time ago when I went to Bayeaux to see the famous tapestries.
Sutter home created a White Zinfandel in 1976 - yikes that was a long time ago - and in 1978 a guy called Kreck who grew Cabernet trademarked the word "blush" (who knew you could trademark a color - I wonder if Crayola knows that?
Beginning in 2005 (yesterday!), CA wine producers started making rose rather than let unsold wine grapes go to waste and the rest is history. At first some of these winemakers were doing rose "vanity projects".
But last year and this one, this doesn't feel like an after thought. They've got some serious stuff in those bottles - and it's not the light or thin wine with a slight blush of pink that you might imagine.
No, some of these roses are Rose of Syrah, Rose of Sangiovese, sparkling rose - and it's not only coming from CA but other wine growing regions around the world.
So, starting today, I'm marching into Spring - with a new rose a day (love the idea!) - and today's will be Rosa Regale Brachetto d"Acqui 2007 from Banfi http://www.rosaregale.com (no, they didn't pay me to write this!)
Surprisingly dry - floral - but not too sweet - it's so pretty in the glass - and is drinking beautifully. It's great as an aperitif - and it comes in a beautiful 1/2 bottle size too (perfect for two!) It available everywhere! And while Castello Banfi has an online store - the 2007 isn't in inventory there yet so look in your local market (they usually have a pretty big display) - the prices seems to vary between the low 20s to around $25 a bottle.
I can't wait until tomorrow! This is going to be so much fun. Send me your "daily rose" suggestions - we'd love to hear from you or post at Women & Wine http://womenwine.com - post a picture of yourself with Rose Regale 2007 and I'll send you a gift.
A Rose a Day will keep the doctor away....
Julie
