It’s Summer. Time for Rosé!

Summertime is rosé time and options abound: there are way too many good rosés out there to even attempt to mention them all, let alone taste them (the latter did cross my mind as a summer project). But here are two that impressed me this week. Both are a bit odd, but that’s the way I like them.

Patricia brought me some 2010 Pinot Grigio Rosé from the Primaterra winery in Veneto. Most wines get their color from contact with the skins during maceration, and since Pinot Grigio skin is slightly pink or “rusty”, the grape juice develops a beautiful color reminiscent of salmon flesh, if a shade lighter. It’s really refreshing and pretty on the palate. All the Pinot Grigio goodies are present with perhaps some slight overtones of red delicious apple skin and not fully ripe strawberries. It’s bright and fun, just like a perfect summer sipper should be. And, of course, it’s a great conversation piece—a Pinot Grigio Rosé is not something you often see.

Now, if I enjoyed sipping Primaterra during a hot summer day and really wanted to stick with the same theme, the next one would fit perfectly. Jeff stopped by and brought some Terredora Rosaenovae. This winery is an offspring of the great Mastrobernandino winery from Campania. And what else would their wine be but the powerful Aglianico itself. Aglianico must be one of my favorite grapes, period, and this rosé is smashing. Superbly structured for a rosé, yet subtle enough to show off strawberry cream and even stone fruit like apricots and peaches. It is very dry, of course, and long on the finish. A definite step up in flavor from Primaterra and a great switch to evening activities and heartier foods.

I may have to pour two rosés by the glass. Decisions, decisions…