My Essential Rosé, Provence, France
I’m not a lover of Louisiana’s infamous summer heat, but one thing that makes it easier for me to bear the SBC summertime is rosé season. My favorite region for such is Provence in southern France, known for two things: lavender and rosé. Many vintners grow duplicate crops, one after the grape harvest to keep the soil arable, and in the case of Provence, this makes anytime a good time for a visit. The lavender, outside of normal growing season, blankets the countryside in vivid purple, and it is absolutely beautiful. I don’t know if it’s just the placebo effect, but anytime I drink wine from this region, I smell hints of lavender against the light strawberry. Very crisp and clean, the My Essential Rosé is a beautifully crafted representation of what one can expect from the southern shores of France. I also love the philosophy of the winemaker, Richard Bates, who says, “Wine is a grocery, not a luxury.” At $14 a bottle, he allows this beautiful wine to be just that. -Candace
2013, Lago Cerqueira Vinho Verde Rosé
My latest Rosé find took me to Portugal (not literally but in my mind). The Lago Cerqueira is a Vinho Verde Rosé. The term “Vinho Verde” translates to “green wine” but it actually has multiple meanings; it is a regulated wine region in northern Portugal, so you’ll see “D.O.C.” or “Denominação de Origem Controlada” on the label, and vinho verde is also one style of winemaking practiced in this region that uses a blend of five to six grape varietals. The grapes are usually harvested before they fully ripen, which gives these wines lower alcohol content, 10 percent in this case, and the early picking encourages a secondary fermentation in the bottle which makes the wine have a slight fizz when it’s poured. Bartender at Wine Country Bistro Abbie Reynolds said, “Lago has been flying off the shelf since we put it on our ‘By The Glass’ list last [week]. It’s got a slight effervescence and subtle fruit flavors that are perfect for easy drinking.” My ideal pairing for this wine (or at least what I’m craving after tasting it) is tacos or something spicy to offset the dryness and crisp fruit flavors. At $15.99, you can afford to cool off with this rosé all summer. -Jessica
About the Girls behind the Glasses:
Jessica (right) is a native Texan and a self-proclaimed oenophile who enjoys curling up with a good book, a glass of wine, and her cat (usually all at the same time). She can be found selling wine and cheese in the bottle shop of Wine Country Bistro during the week and on her days off biking along the river front and checking out local hot spots around Shreveport. Email her your wine questions at jessica@winecountrynet.com.
Candace is a wine geek at Wine Country Bistro & Bottle Shop in Shreveport, LA, where she peddles fine wine and artisan cheese. Her favorite local spots are Rhino Coffee, Great Raft Brewery, and Day Old Blues Records. Email her your wine questions at candace@winecountrynet.com.