Essay Rosé 2022
Origin: Paarl, South Africa
Retail: $13.95 | Sale: $12.56
Essay is a play on words—“SA” being the abbreviation for South Africa. The winemaking team at Essay is spearheaded by cellarmasters Tyrrel Myburgh and José Conde of MAN Family Wines, together with head winemaker Riaan Moller. They grow grapes in the Agter-Paarl (“behind Paarl”) region, where vineyards span over scenic rolling hills. The area has perfect Mediterranean conditions of cold, wet winters and long, dry summers. The vineyards are grown sustainably and predominantly dry-farmed, which yields fruit with an intensity of flavor. The Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah grapes were harvested from vineyards situated in the Cape coastal region, between the towns of Paarl and Riebeek Kasteel. Vineyards are primarily dry farmed bush vines. Dry farming results in small, succulent berries with intense flavor and texture. This elegant rose has an attractive salmon-colored appearance in the glass. Aromas of cranberries, pomegranate and redcurrant abound on the nose, while the palate boasts ample red fruit and freshness. The finish is crisp and finely textured. 58% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre , 6% Syrah
Domaine de St. Ser Cuvée Prestige Rosé 2022
Origin: Provence, France
Retail: $22.95 | Sale: $20.66
Domaine de Saint-Ser lies at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire and at an elevation of 400 meters, the domain’s vineyards are the highest in the appellation. On a property of 80 hectares, 47 hectares are planted with vines. The vineyards are south-facing and benefit from the refracted light coming from the mountain of limestone just above it. Jacqueline Guichot purchased the property in 2006 when it was in need of major renovations. As she says, she rolled up her sleeves and undertook the work of restructuring the vineyards and repairing the buildings. Since that time, Jacqueline’s drive for progress and improvement has never stopped. In 2017, her domain was certified as both organic and bio-dynamic and she continues to evolve a winemaking style that is rooted in minimal intervention.The soils are chalky-clay with lots of stones eroded from Mont Sainte-Victoire. The Rosé is produced using the “saignée” method in which the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed and then left to macerate for a few hours. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts follows in stainless-steel tanks at low temperatures. Cinsault 40%, Grenache 35% and Syrah 25%
Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé 2021
Origin: Modena, Italy
Retail: $16.95 | Sale: $15.26
The Chiarli family was also instrumental in taking Lambrusco from being just one among innumerable Italian local wines to its status as a popular international phenomenon and one of the country’s primary exports. A century after the winery’s founding, the Chiarli family pioneered the use of the Charmat or tank method of sparkling wine production for Lambrusco. In the old days around Modena, the workers found refreshment in a light, pink, effervescent wine made from the runoff of grapes that were piled into carts for delivery to the winery. The Chiarli family pays homage to this old tradition with the Brut de Noir Rosé. Based on the Lambrusco Grasparossa grape variety, this wine gets its delightful pink hue from just a short period of skin contact, with 15% Pinot Nero. The Brut de Noir Rosé is a fully sparkling wine, produced in a single fermentation in an autoclave, technology unavailable to those thirsty farmers of the past. Violet-shaded rosé, delicate, well-structured, with intense fragrances of strawberries and raspberries and a lively round taste. Excellent as an aperitif, and ideal for elegant dinners; it also goes very well with desserts, strawberry and fruit salads. 85% Lambrusco Grasparossa, 15% Pinot Nero