Rosé is often hailed as the perfect summer wine, but this fun and fresh style also has its place in the fall and winter. As the seasons change, our love for rosé doesn't have to fade away with the warmth. It might seem natural; as the leaves turn red, so does the wine. But before you make the jump, why not ease into the transition with a dark rosé?
"Dark rosé" offers a deeper, more structured, and more complex rosé experience. Instead of strawberries and cream, raspberries, citrus, and ginger, think red plum, cranberry, mediterranean herbs, spice, pomegranate, and watermelon.
This style of rosé is heartier, fuller in body, and more tannic. It's the perfect treat to enjoy on a chilly fall evening, with Thanksgiving dinner, or while watching the long anticipated Hocus Pocus 2.
This weeks sip comes from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. It's the Pinot Noir rosé from A Sunday in August, a natural and organic winery that purchases their grapes from small, family run farms.
A Sunday in August's Pinot Noir Rose is an easy introduction into this style. It has a lovely mineral element reminiscent of pencil shavings and smoke, complimented by flavours of plum and over-ripe strawberries. The acidity is bright, but the standout element of this wine is the toasty, woody, earthy finish.
This wine reminds me of those first nights of fall, when the air turns cool, the sun starts to set a bit earlier, and you just want to put on your warmest sweater and take a stroll through the forest. The acidity crunches like the leaves under your boots, and the aromas smell just like tree bark covered in dew.
Cheers!
Other options to consider are:
1. Pearl Morrisette, Roselana, Jordan, Canada
2. Tenuta Foresta Monferrato DOC Ciaret, Piemonte, Italy
3. Chateau D'Aqueria, Tavel, France (available at the LCBO)
