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Selected from our imagination! A scary thought perhaps, but never dull. Look for value and interest and above all, fun!

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Selected from our imagination! A scary thought perhaps, but never dull. Look for value and interest and above all, fun!

For many, rosé is synonymous with inexpensive, sweet jug wine, popular in the seventies and eighties. Unfortunately, rosé's reputation has been slow to change. It struggles to shake off its reputation, even though exceptional versions of the wine are widely available today.

Understanding how rosé is made reveals its substance and the reason that those who study wine have an affection for its style. Red wine is made by allowing the juice of freshly crushed grapes to 'rest on the skins' for a period of time in order to add color, tannin, and flavor. Rosés are made with red--not white grapes. The amount of time the juice rests on the skins is considerably less for rosé, hence the lighter color. You could say that rosés are 'red wine light.'

Rosés are loaded with raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry flavors. They often have hints of lime peel, ground spices, and minerals. Honey, flowers, ginger, and fresh herbs are other descriptors, especially with sparkling rosés. Many fans of sparkling wine eventually become experts in sparkling rosé because of its complexity, especially those made in Champagne. Sparkling rosé is made by adding red wine to a white wine base during fermentation process.

Acquiring an affection for rosé is a journey for many. One of the best ways to experience rosé is to pair it with food. Rosé can pair well with difficult foods. Turkey and ham are wonderful with rosé. Pink foods like lobster and shrimp love pink wine. The elegant flavors of Salmon, tuna, red snapper, and swordfish stand out when paired with a dry rosé. Salads are one of the most difficult food categories to pair with wine. Rosés work well with most types of lettuce and are not overwhelmed by the acidity of vinegars and citrus juice.

Rosés have mouthwatering acidity, offering zesty flavors, much like white wines. On the other hand they can contain a touch of tannins and texture similar to red wines. European versions are less fruity than new world versions. We are easing into warmer weather, where barbequing, sitting on the back porch, and thirst quenching beverages are the on the agenda. If exploring rosé fits into that plan, make sure the one you pick is from a recent vintage. As fleeting as a cherry blossom, the fresh flavors of rosé are at their peak in their youth.

Herb and spice pairing chart:

Flavoring that dish with fresh herbs and spices?
Keep this general gauge in mind when thinking of the wine.

Bay leaf, parsley nutmeg Mustard, clove, ginger, sage Dill, parsley, clove, nutmeg Mint, black pepper, curry Basil, oregano, nutmeg Thyme, chives, fennel, orange Mint, sage cinnamon Dill, sage, clove, ginger Garlic, oregano, black pepper Dill, lemon thyme, cumin Tarragon, rosemary, juniper, white pepper Tarragon, thyme, black pepper, clove

Cabernet sauvignon Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Gewurztraminer Merlot Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Syrah Zinfandel