By Barbara Seelig
Brown
Summer is a wonderful
time to entertain. It's a time for casual hors d'oeuvres and dinners
on your deck or patio. If you are wondering what beverages to serve
on a hot summer's day, why not try some of the new Rose Wines and
Sparklers. I know, when you think Rose, you think White Zinfandel,
but these Rose's are in no way reminiscent of what flooded the
market several years ago known as white zinfandel. Roses are made
from red grapes, generally with a short maceration period, which is
what yields the pink color. It is the length of the time that the
skins are in contact with the juice that determines hue. For
instance, if a brilliant red grape such as Grenache is used, the
maceration time can be as short as 6-12 hours. A lighter colored
grape may need a day or so to give the desired color. The juice is
drained from the skins when the color is satisfactory and
fermentation begins as in white wine production.
Recently at the Food &
Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen, I tasted Mionetto's Il Rose.
Mionetto is known for their wonderfully delicious and affordable
Prosecco from the Veneto. Their IL Rosé is a gentle-sparkling,
unpretentious seasonal wine that complements the moods and foods of
summer. The word IL, which means "the" in Italian, reinforces the
brand concept of being "the" wine of choice for fun-loving and
fashionable folks with good taste. The pink-hued IL Rosé is made
from gently-pressed red grapes, including Raboso, Cabernet and
Merlot and its delicate bouquet suggests roses, raspberries and
marasca cherries. The wine is available in 375 ml and 750 ml bottles
(suggested retail price of $6.99 and $10.99 respectively). "We are
debuting IL Rosé this spring because it is a perfect treat for wine
lovers who seek a refreshing and delightful wine. With only 10.50%
alcohol, it goes perfectly with picnic foods and casual outdoor
dining," said Enore Ceola, managing director of Mionetto USA. "Our
IL Prosecco and IL Moscato wines have proven that U.S. consumers
will embrace casual bubbly wines that make the everyday
extraordinary. We are happy to expand the IL brand to red grape
varietals with IL Rosé."
I am also very excited
about The Piccolo Family 2003 Corte Gardoni Chiaretto Bardolino
(12.5% alcohol) that I found at 56 Degree Wine in Bernardsville.
Chiaretto means claret and refers to the color of the wine, which is
a deep pink. This wine has all the appeal of a red but is light
enough for summer drinking. I recently enjoyed this wine with Herb
Roasted Chicken (recipe below) and it was a perfect pairing. On
another evening we enjoyed this wine with grilled Rack of Lamb and
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. This wine comes from the charming village
of Bardolino in the Lake Garda region, also in the Veneto. The
natural farming method used produces a low yield which renders
highly aromatic and generously fruity wines. The bouquet is that of
summer berries. This wine is interesting because there is also great
body with a hint of dryness. Red wine lovers find it quite
satisfying. Look for Corte Gardoni Rose at approximately $13.00 and
enjoy it with your next dinner al fresco.
The
Evolution of Italian White Wines
By Barbara Seelig Brown
There is a new wave of
great wines available - the Italian Whites. Yes, you are correct in
thinking that historically they weren't that interesting, now they
are GREAT! At a recent wine tasting event held by the Italian Trade
Commission in New York, I was fortunate enough to taste 20 Italian
whites. Pinot Grigio is the #1 selling varietal in the US but there
are many other varietals worth tasting.
Italian wines, as a rule
do not see a lot of oak and therefore they are lighter, crisper, and
very food friendly. As the saying goes, a beautiful wine is like a
beautiful woman who doesn't need makeup (or oak). Italy has long
been known for it's reds but in the 70's with the arrival of
"Nouvelle Cuisine" or the desire for lighter meals, Italian wine
makers began to re-invent their whites.
They created undemanding
wines that are very clean, crisp and pleasant on the palette.
Italian Trade Commissioner Roberto Luongo says "They're not going to
replace the so-called Super Tuscan Red Wines. They'll complement the
reds, for each has a place at the table or at leisure moments. It's
not a matter of either, or. Tasting them will show
that the sector of whites is as exciting as that of the reds." And
yes, it was!
