It’s beginning to look a lot like rosé season! So it’s time for the first of 3 tastings this summer featuring nothing but pink wine.
I have a feeling there might be quite a few of our regular readers who are wondering why we make such a fuss about rosé? If your introduction to wine with a pink color happened in the 1980′s, or the words white and zinfandel were on the label of what you’ve tried, then I don’t blame you for thinking we’re nuts for focusing so much attention on this category of wine. But fortunately, that is NOT the type of rosé we are selling these days.
A few decades ago, the discovery of dry rosé by importers like Kermit Lynch started to introduce the American drinking public to the refreshing flavors that a lighter bodied wine made from red grapes could deliver. Over the years, Americans have flirted with this type of wine and there have been a selection of mostly European rosé which arrive each Summer.
Then sometime in the mid-2000′s, I believe because American winemakers started increasing the amount of rosé they made at their wineries (no doubt because customers kept asking them for some of that pink wine they had made only for their friends and family), the consciousness for rosé began to rise. The rest of the wine world then responded, as they saw a big opportunity to expand their wine assortment by introducing their rosé to our market. It’s really amazing to me that in our first Summer of business in 2006, we carried 5 different rosé’s. This year we have already gone through the first 50 and expect to feature another 50 before the Summer is over. I can’t think of any other category of wine we sell in the shop that has seen the assortment explode by 1000% in this short a period of time. So clearly, there is something about these wines that appeals to a lot of people. And with the diversity of selections available now, there is a style for everyone, from hearty and fuller-bodied Tavel and Spanish Rosado that is more akin to drinking a chilled lighter red, to the delicate strawberry aromas and pale peach color that is typical of the Cinsault-dominant rosé from Provence. Whatever your preference, we have something to tempt you with.
This Friday’s tasting is Rosé, Vol. I. Details are below. We hope you’ll join us!
We kick off the Rosé Reveal of 2011 with Vol. 1 of our Favorites. This Friday tasting will feature a roundup of styles from around the world. We’re sure to include a couple selections from Provence, a Spanish Rosado, an Italian Nebbiolo Rosé and something from Corsica, the hot new region for wine imports in Europe. Our bonus pour will feature a favorite example from Tavel and Sancerre. The fun begins at 4pm and goes until the bottles are dry, or 7pm, whichever happens first. Our Main Flight is $12, Bonus Pours extra. Come join us.
*The Main Flight is complimentary at our Friday tastings for cork club members. Limit 2 flights per membership at each week’s tasting. All bonus pours receive the regular 10% cork club discount.
FREE CORKAGE WEDNESDAY!
BAR LOLO is offering FREE CORKAGE FEE
for cork customers on Wednesdays in June!
Shop for a bottle with us today and grab your coupon for free corkage. Then, walk across the street and enjoy an awesome dinner. Valid tonight and Wednesdays for the rest of the month. Please remember to tip for the wine service too. Bar Lolo is located at 2940 NE Alberta. 503.288.3400 and accepts reservations only for groups of 6 or more.
I have a feeling there might be quite a few of our regular readers who are wondering why we make such a fuss about rosé? If your introduction to wine with a pink color happened in the 1980′s, or the words white and zinfandel were on the label of what you’ve tried, then I don’t blame you for thinking we’re nuts for focusing so much attention on this category of wine. But fortunately, that is NOT the type of rosé we are selling these days.
