A Rosé By Any Other Name...and What the "Pubster - Gals" Think!

Spring has sprung, the grass is rizz'd, I wonder where my Rosé is? Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is the perfect time to be sipping on a nice, cool, crisp Rosé. But, then again, Summer is the perfect time to be sipping on a nice, cool, crisp Rosé. To that end, there is never a time when sipping on a Rosé isn't the right time.

When I was first entering the market as a legal wine drinker, Rosé was merely a White Zinfandel, blush, or pink wine. There were approximately two that were offered and typically came from a jug, they were Sutter Home and Gallo. Rosé, the American version, of White Zin, was first produced in the 1860s in Lodi and as a result, became a nice alternative to classic red or white wine. White Zinfandel is still one of the most sold, by volume in the US and has a lovely nickname "Cougar Juice." Over the years and with the growth of wine-drinking sophistication, so it goes more Rosé is being offered here in the US and it is no surprise as women are becoming one of the biggest purchasers of wine and the palette is forever becoming more sophisticated towards the wide variety of wine and beautiful food pairing options.

Rosé is one of the most consumed wines in France and in 2018 there was a huge concern that because of the growth in popularity and market for fine Rosé wine throughout the world and the United States that they might not have enough to get them through their summer. Fortunately, the wine-making industry in the United States is beginning to catch up with its much older French sister and as vines mature and the field of viticulture booms, the US winemaker is beginning to hold their own against the legacy of France, Italy, and Spain. How Do Local/Regional Winemakers Hold Up Against France and Italy?

Recently, I asked a group of my "Pubster - Gals" to join me in a Rosé wine tasting. Five willingly stepped up to the plate to humor me, but ultimately took their job very seriously. Two of the tasters had just returned from a Rosé wine event in Nashville, so their palettes were primed and ready for more!

Rosé for the tasting were:

Prophecy Rosé 2017 - Vin de France

Tasting Notes for Prophecy: Minerally, citrus, very dry, tangy, aligns well with a Sauvignon Blanc

St.Julian Winery Chambourcin Rosé 2018 - Michigan

Tasting Notes for Chambourcin: Fruity, berry (raspberry, strawberry, fruit forward, buttery after-tones.

St.Julian Winery Tempranillo Rosé 2018 - Michigan

Tasting Notes for Tempranillo Rosé: Light, fruity, herbal, earthy, smooth

Shady Creek Winery Rosé 2018 - Michigan City Indiana

Tasting Notes for American Rosé:Medium body, intense bouquet, oaky, cherry tones, vanilla after-tones

Villa Alena Rosé 2018 - Piedmonte Italy (Trader Joe's)
 

Tasting Notes for Villa Alena: Light, semi-dry, fruit-forward, raspberry

So the moment of truth; which Rosé came in first place with the Pubster Gals? St.Julian Winery Tempranillo Rosé 2018 - Michigan was the overall winner with Shady Creek Winery Rosé 2018 at a close second. 

ArtSees Diner highly recommends both St. Julian's Winery, (we prefer the Union Pier tasting room) and Shady Creek Winery in Michigan City. 

Follow the links above to discover more about each winery and make sure you visit very soon!