Mas Carlot Costières de Nîmes, Rosé, 2009

About the Wine: I believe that there are two types of people when it comes to rosé.  There are the passionate rosé lovers, the pioneers, the posse (we got your back, rosé!)  And then there are the folks who we haven’t converted yet.  So this is our attempt to recruit more troops to the pink wine camp!  As warm weather rolls in, you can find no better wine to drink than a refreshing rosé.

The Mas Carlot is made from a blend of Grenache and Syrah.  It displays red summer fruits like watermelon and wild strawberry with notes of wild flowers.  It has crisp, tart acidity mid-palate and a beautiful lush finish.  It’s a perfect food wine, especially when the thermostat rises.  It’s a cool and lively, dry wine with great body.

Rosé can be made in one of three ways.  A winemaker can use red-skinned grapes and leave the skins in contact with the juice for just a short period of time (the skins are where all the color comes from in red wine) Secondly, a winemaker could use a method called Saignée, or bleeding of the vats.   The pink juice that is removed during this process can be fermented separately to produce Rosé.  Lastly is blending, the simple mixing of red wine with white wine to impart color.  Rosé can range from light pink salmon to deep dark fuchsia, depending on the grapes and wine making technique.  Rosé should not be associated with “that other pink wine”   White Zinfandel.  No, our version is the real deal.

Food Pairings: Your options are limitless!  Not only is rosé lovely to sip on its own, but it makes a great partner to anything you feel like grilling. Try Soft shell crabs on the grill with a homemade remoulade.

Zin 91, Old Vine Zinfandel, California, 2006

About the Wine: This vintage of Zin 91’s Old Vine Zinfandel comes from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.  Sonoma County exudes a laid back attitude where wine is made to enjoy with ease.  The Zin 91 mirrors that style, delicious, well-made wine that is fun to drink.  There is some playful rivalry in this area, with its close proximity to the esteemed Napa Valley.  Two great wine producing regions in California with different opinions on who’s “the best”!  Well when it comes to Zinfandel, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley is one of California’s most prominent strips of land.

The Zin 91 has rich aromas of dark fruits, plums, black cherries, and blueberries.  It flows smoothly onto the palate, giving you hints of burnt sugar and spice.  It is smooth and supple and very drinkable.  The gentleman depicted on the label having a “bright idea” is modeled after Hubert Opici who on his 91st birthday had an Old Vine Zinfandel epiphany.  Remembering an Old Vine vineyard planted in 1891that always produced amazing wines and had been one of his favorite places.  The Opici family, along with winemaker Richard Bruno of Vinum Cellars, brings the magic of this memory to you in each bottle of Zin 91.

Food Pairings: Another great wine for the grill.  Try it with balsamic marinated steak tips, fingerling potates, and grilled ramps.