Summertime Sipping: Lodi Rosé with Onesta Wines, Sorelle Winery, and McCay Cellars
I know you would never believe this, but I uncork or unscrew a new wine adventure just about every day. Being a wine enthusiast, a wine blogger, and someone who thoroughly appreciates and enjoys the liquid expression of a place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence, I often tell people that wine is one of the most intriguing beverages in the world. It’s a hobby where there is always something new to taste and learn as well as great people to meet in real life or via those wonderful social media portals called Facebook and Twitter.
Cheers to Rosé!
I had a chance to review a few nice pink wines for a recent #LodiLive Rosé event put on by Charles Communications and Lodi Wine (aka LoCA). Rosé wines are synonymous with summer and their versatility, particularly drier examples, make them a good match for a wide range of foods – especially light summertime fare. Below are three nice selections from the Lodi appellation (Central Valley of California) accompanied by my tasting notes and a picture I snapped of each bottle. All of these wines are small production; therefore, the best place to find a bottle is the producer’s tasting room or website. Variety, so they say, is the spice of life; so, keep an open mind and an open palate and enjoy the experience. Drink well my friends!
Onesta Wines 2012 Cinsault Rosé
1) Onesta Wines Bechthold Vineyard 2012 Cinsault Rosé (SRP $18): The fruit for this wine was sourced from Bechthold Vineyard --Lodi’s oldest continuously farmed (25 acre) vineyard that was originally planted in 1886. In the glass, this wine exhibits a delightfully vibrant mix of fresh red berry fruits -- particularly strawberry, with tropical undertones and refreshing acidity leading to a crisp and clean finish. Overall, this is a bright, easy-drinking, and well-balanced Rosé that drinks nicely on its own (especially on a warm summer day) and is also the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of warm weather/picnic fare. Approximately 300 cases of this wine were produced. (Other info: 50% Saignée method, 50% fruit picked with the intention to make a Rosé, 80% stainless / 20% neutral fermented, aged on lees for 6 months, ABV 13.5%, cork enclosure). Click here to find this wine.
Sorelle Winery “Bella e Rosa” Rosado
2) Sorelle Winery “Bella e Rosa” 2012 Rosado (SRP $16): This is a refreshing blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Barbera that's ripe for summertime sipping. In the glass, the wine shows a soft but bright red berry fruit profile with a hint of sweetness and a bit of richness that rounds everything out nicely. I recommend pairing a bottle of this Rosé with a warm summer day, good company and fine nibbles. Approximately 200 cases of this wine were produced. (Other info: Partial ML, aged 6 months in neutral oak, ABV 14%, cork enclosure). Click here to find this wine.
McCay Cellars 2012 Rosé
3) McCay Cellars' 2012 Rosé (SRP $18): This is a dry and lively Rosé made from 102 year old Carignane vines and Grenache. A medium salmon color, the wine opens with inviting aromas of fresh strawberries, cherry blossom, ripe citrus fruit, soft stone fruit, and a touch of white pepper. The aromas echo on the palate with bright acidity over a slender frame and a medium-length fruity finish. Overall, this is a tasty, well-made and appealing food-friendly pink wine that has ‘summertime sipping’ written all over it. Approximately 211 cases of this wine were produced. (Other info: Carignane-based blend, native yeast fermentation, produced in stainless steel, ABV 12.4%, cork enclosure). Click here to find this wine.
Something else synonymous with summer: Butterflies!
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: These wines were provided for an event. Thoughts are my own.
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