Wine Review: Rose wines flourish around the world

Rose wines and warmer seasons seem to complement each other.

Whether it is the delightful pink color or its pleasant, almost perfume-like aroma, rose wines fit perfectly with our warm weather lifestyle and food preferences. Just in time for the warm weather, I was fortunate enough to have sampled some rose wines from around the world that are currently available in this country.

B & G Tradition Rose D’Anjou ($12)
It’s French, it’s rose, it's from the Anjou district and it’s from B & G (Barton & Guestier). These attributes are a sure formula for a better wine. The color is a delightful salmon pink, and the aroma is a feast of fresh summer fruits and spice. Soft summer berries make up the flavor, which is enhanced by a near-perfect acid balance. Here is a wine that you can serve with pride with the knowledge that it will not fail or embarrass you.

El Coto Rioja Rose ($9)
From France, we head down to Spain’s most prolific fine wine-producing region, the Rioja. The El Coto Rioja Rose is made from local and popular Spanish grape varieties, the tempranillo and the grenache. The inviting pink color cradles an aroma of summer flowers and red berries. These carry over to the flavor where they mingle with a hint of cherries. This is a dry wine and should not be confused with sweet rose wines, even though by its color it might look like one.

Sonoma Cutrer Rose of Pinot Noir ($20)
This American beauty has been made from pinot noir grapes and is resplendent with all of the flavors and aromas associated with that variety. The wine presents a beautiful, light salmon color which opens up to aromas of tangerine, strawberry, raspberry, a suggestion of watermelon and, of course, rose petals. The flavor showcases red berry fruit and a tropical twist that leads to a long fruit-filled finish.

Donnafugata Dolce & Gabbana 'Rosa' Rosato Sicilia ($60)
I will admit that this wine's price tag is a bit of a shock. The question arises, “Is it is worth it?” This wine is more of an experience than a beverage and deserves to be treated as such. The familiar rose flavors and aromas are presented in this wine but in such a way that they are all readily discernible. Where this wine shines is that no flavor or aroma is hidden but rather clearly and openly presented. Casting its price aside, this wine could be a winner in the academy award of wines if there was one, as it is just that good. And yes, it’s worth its price.

Yellow Tail Rose ($12)
It’s good to see Australian wines are back in the marketplace again. For several years, Australia has been under what could best be called a world class drought that had a terrible effect on wine production. It appears that the grape growers have overcome the unfavorable conditions and are back in the wine business. This wine is crisp, with a very pleasant cherry/berry aroma and, as is typical for a rose, the aroma of rose petals. The flavor is neither hidden nor subdued, but it is obvious and easily identifiable. Cherry, strawberry, watermelon and apple can be easily detected, as are the myriad summer berry aromas that seem to pop up from the glass when the wine is sampled This is a wine that can accompany just about any warm weather food.

Li Veli Askos Susumaniello Rosato Salento IGT ($25)
Li Veli features two Italian lesser-known native grapes of Puglia in its Askos line, such as the rare susumaniello variety. Li Veli's Susumaniello Rosato offers tasters the opportunity to explore a unique interpretation of rosato from this ancient grape variety that is just starting to garner international attention.

Wine columnist Bennet Bodenstein can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.