Chilled and crisp wines are a perfect way to beat Summer’s heat, and with all that the season brings, such as outdoor concerts, barbecues, pool parties, and al fresco dining, a thirst for a cool long drink brings out these refreshing beauties! Rosé, the pink wines are always a summertime thriller, and Riesling, mineral driven white wines whose high acidity is so refreshing, are traditional go-to summer wines. Familiar with Rosé and Riesling, but what about Ramato?!
Meet the Pinot Grigio rosé, Ramato, made in the Friuli region of Italy, a product of a day of maceration with the pale purple skins of the grapes. A little different profile, this copper-colored wine displays a fruity bouquet and weight on the palate, savory and a bit exotic, with complex notes of ripe apple, citrus peel, stone fruit, dried fruit, and spice.
Scarbolo Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio Ramato XL 2014 (Friuli-Venezia)
If you only get a chance to taste one, this is it! A full expression of this style,
fermented in tank and barrel, it has the potential to evolve and age
Scarbolo Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio Ramato XL 2013 (Friuli-Venezia)
Bold and structured, notes of plum jam, white pepper, spice
Scarbolo Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio Ramato XL 2014 (Friuli-Venezia)
If you only get a chance to taste one, this is it! A full expression of this style,
fermented in tank and barrel, it has the potential to evolve and age
Scarbolo Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio Ramato XL 2013 (Friuli-Venezia)
Bold and structured, notes of plum jam, white pepper, spice
Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants imports and distributes a diverse group of these wines, from many of the major wine regions of the world. These classic, food-friendly, thirst-quenching wines are reason to celebrate the Summer Solstice, and can be drunk throughout the calendar year. Here are my highlights from a recent tasting, these are certainly wines to look out for.
Rosé can be made from any dark-skinned grape, in varying shades of pink, depending on how long the juice stays in contact with the skins during the initial crushing and maceration of the fruit. Meant to be drunk young, they’re crisp and refreshing, highly aromatic, dry yet fruity, and perfect with a wide range of food.
Rosé can be made from any dark-skinned grape, in varying shades of pink, depending on how long the juice stays in contact with the skins during the initial crushing and maceration of the fruit. Meant to be drunk young, they’re crisp and refreshing, highly aromatic, dry yet fruity, and perfect with a wide range of food.
California Rosé
Bokisch Vineyards Clements Hills Rosado Terra Alta Vineyard 2016 (Lodi)
Spanish-style Garnacha, flavorful
Bonny Doon Vineyards Central Coast Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé 2016 (Central Coast)
French Rhône-style blend, elegant, complex palate
Margerum Wine Company Santa Barbara Riviera Rosé 2016 (Santa Barbara)
Grenache-Syrah blend, bright fruit, vibrant acidity
Quivira Dry Creek Valley Rosé 2016 (Sonoma)
GSM blend, floral, textured, complex, beautiful wine
Sidebar Cellars Russian River Valley Rosé 2016 (Sonoma)
Old vine Syrah, bone dry, mineral, strawberry & watermelon aromas/flavors
Bokisch Vineyards Clements Hills Rosado Terra Alta Vineyard 2016 (Lodi)
Spanish-style Garnacha, flavorful
Bonny Doon Vineyards Central Coast Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé 2016 (Central Coast)
French Rhône-style blend, elegant, complex palate
Margerum Wine Company Santa Barbara Riviera Rosé 2016 (Santa Barbara)
Grenache-Syrah blend, bright fruit, vibrant acidity
Quivira Dry Creek Valley Rosé 2016 (Sonoma)
GSM blend, floral, textured, complex, beautiful wine
Sidebar Cellars Russian River Valley Rosé 2016 (Sonoma)
Old vine Syrah, bone dry, mineral, strawberry & watermelon aromas/flavors
Spain Rosado
Armas de Guerra Bierzo Mencía Rosado 2016 (Bierzo)
Organic, old vine Mencía, lively and balanced
Cortijo Rioja Rosado 2016 (Rioja)
Organic Garnacha, complex, long finish
Compañia de Vinos del Atlantico Vinos de Madrid Zestos Rosado 2016 (Madrid)
Old vine Garnacha, textured body
Armas de Guerra Bierzo Mencía Rosado 2016 (Bierzo)
Organic, old vine Mencía, lively and balanced
Cortijo Rioja Rosado 2016 (Rioja)
Organic Garnacha, complex, long finish
Compañia de Vinos del Atlantico Vinos de Madrid Zestos Rosado 2016 (Madrid)
Old vine Garnacha, textured body
Italy Rosato
Elena Walch Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosé 20/26 2016 (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Lagrein/Merlot/Pinot Nero blend, intense, complex, savory, long finish
Garofali Kòmaros Rosato 2016 (Marche)
Montepulciano, mineral, berry flavors
Li Veli Primerose Rosato 2016 (Puglia)
Negroamaro, explosive nose, juicy, textured, savory finish
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Scaia Rosato 2016 (Veneto)
Rondinella, floral, fruity, unique wine, best with food
Elena Walch Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosé 20/26 2016 (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Lagrein/Merlot/Pinot Nero blend, intense, complex, savory, long finish
Garofali Kòmaros Rosato 2016 (Marche)
Montepulciano, mineral, berry flavors
Li Veli Primerose Rosato 2016 (Puglia)
Negroamaro, explosive nose, juicy, textured, savory finish
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Scaia Rosato 2016 (Veneto)
Rondinella, floral, fruity, unique wine, best with food
France Rosé
Triennes Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2016 (Provence)
Cinsault/Syrah/Grenache, classic Provence, great balance
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Rosé Jeunes Vignes 2015 (Loire)
Pinot Noir, elegant, mineral, tasty
Maison Roche de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons Gamay Rosé 2015 (Burgundy)
Gamay, fresh, fruity
Petit Bourgeois Vin de Pays du Loire Rosé de Pinot Noir 2015 (Loire)
Pinot Noir, floral and fruity nose
Triennes Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2016 (Provence)
Cinsault/Syrah/Grenache, classic Provence, great balance
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Rosé Jeunes Vignes 2015 (Loire)
Pinot Noir, elegant, mineral, tasty
Maison Roche de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons Gamay Rosé 2015 (Burgundy)
Gamay, fresh, fruity
Petit Bourgeois Vin de Pays du Loire Rosé de Pinot Noir 2015 (Loire)
Pinot Noir, floral and fruity nose
Riesling is a versatile grape, with every incarnation made, from sparkling to very sweet, all having that vein of buoyant acidity. A pure expression of place, the wines channel the mineral character of the soil, and are highly regarded as some of the finest wines in the world, excellent with food, with its combination of acidity and sweetness, and so, a favorite of many restaurant sommeliers.
Germany Riesling
Weingut Dr. Crusius SchlossBockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosse Gewach 2014 (Nahe)
Mouthwatering, exotic fruit, spice, mineral, depth of flavor
Weingut Dr. Crusius Riesling Trocken Grosses Gewachs Bastei 2015 (Nahe)
Old vine, exotic fruit aromas, mineral, round body
Weingut Stephan Ehlen Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2014 ( Mosel)
Fresh, aromatic, vibrant acidity
Weingut Werner Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Auslese 2006 (Mosel)
Apple, pear, apricot fruit, lush and balanced, amazing
2013 and 2002 also delicious and distinctive
Von Simmern Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling Auslese 2005 (Rheingau)
Dried apricot, orange marmalade, crushed stone, spicy notes
Von Simmern Kabinett Trocken Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen 2015 (Rheingau)
Citrus, floral, bright
Weingut Dr. Crusius SchlossBockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosse Gewach 2014 (Nahe)
Mouthwatering, exotic fruit, spice, mineral, depth of flavor
Weingut Dr. Crusius Riesling Trocken Grosses Gewachs Bastei 2015 (Nahe)
Old vine, exotic fruit aromas, mineral, round body
Weingut Stephan Ehlen Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2014 ( Mosel)
Fresh, aromatic, vibrant acidity
Weingut Werner Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Auslese 2006 (Mosel)
Apple, pear, apricot fruit, lush and balanced, amazing
2013 and 2002 also delicious and distinctive
Von Simmern Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling Auslese 2005 (Rheingau)
Dried apricot, orange marmalade, crushed stone, spicy notes
Von Simmern Kabinett Trocken Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen 2015 (Rheingau)
Citrus, floral, bright
Stay cool throughout the summer with these unusual wines, by the glass or with food, it’s an alternative that will delight and surprise your family and friends.