Yep, I admit it: I've taken some heat for imbibing in Zin. Mainly from wine purists (or just wanna-be snobs), the barbs were aimed at my assumed inability to sip and savor anything remotely resembling “serious” vino. In my defense, however, that was back in the day when my palette was less acclimated to bolder Cabs and Pinots; Zinfandel was a good compromise.
But, honestly, what's wrong with drinking what you like and — if the fancy strikes — enjoying a glass of something that's not quite white or not exactly red?
That's right, folks … absolutely nothing
Which leads me to the topic of today's blog: rosés. An all-around drinkable option, they're the ideal warmer-weather wine. So you don't just have to take my (decidedly amateur) word for it, I chatted with my friend and ardent oenophile Matt Hedges. “Rosés are gaining a reputation as a serious wine — and rightly so,” said Matt, founder and president of national wine importer Vino del Sol. “They have some of the same flavor profiles of a red, and they also go great with Texas barbecue.”
Though some enthusiasts might pooh-pooh them for being too frou-frou, rosés can run the gamut, from light and sweet to dry and heavy. It all depends on the grape from which they're sourced.
“You just chill them down like a white,” Matt said. He recommends Tapiz Malbec Rosé, a “seductive nose of ripe red fruits and crisp mouth-feel” (very cool phrase borrowed from Vino del Sol's website; thanks, Matt!). An Argentinian selection that will run you around $15 a bottle (fyi: you can grab one at Central Market), it's reminiscent of reds, but not as stout. “It's a good place to start,” he said.
So if reds feel too substantial but whites aren't exactly right, why not split the difference and check out rosés? According to Hedges, they sell very well in Texas and in his other markets, too. And for you guys out there who shudder at the thought of raising a glass of rosé, take heart; there's absolutely zero shame in it. “There's a saying in the wine industry: ‘Real men drink pink,'” Matt said.
As do real women, too.
Cheers!
