50 Shades of Pink . . . and Then Some!

Just about a year ago we used this space to tour the Mediterranean world in search of anise-based spirits. Let's start by taking that same trip again, this time seeking and following another thread characteristic of almost all Mediterranean cuisines, the presence on the table in warmer weather of a bottle of Rosé. The idea of Rosé is inextricably linked with any thought of Provence -- with all of the south of France, in fact -- but it is equally appropriately paired with Greece, mainland and islands, and with southern Italy. The wines in question, made with a wide range of grapes, both international and indigenous, are, almost without exception, delicate, elegant, dry, in some cases even austere. And, to repeat, they are an integral part of the fod and wine culture of the places they come from.

+/- 50 Shades of Pink . . . and Then Some!

With that providing our European background, move the story to this country, time around the late 1950s early 1960s. Just as the American consumer was beginning to develop an interest in and taste for good wine, what showed up on these shores but a gift or two from Portugal . . . pink, slightly frothy, just a bit off-dry, and packaged in a sturdy crock that made for a charming candle holder. These were shortly followed in the wine marketplace by . . . . you guessed it, white Zinfandel. And thus it became incontrovertible truth for an entire generation of American wine drinkers that pink = sweet.

At Heights Chateau we've always known otherwise. We're passionate enthusiasts for Rosés and are eager to share that passion. We love their versatility, the range of colors, flavors and styles . . . the light southern French, delicate in color with understated elegant fruit; the darker shades of California, with riper fruit and picnic possibilities; the ruby-hued Spaniards and Italians, richer in fruit than the French yet not as ripe as California and a match for a wide range of foods.

And the category continues to expand, with Rosés coming in from all over the world, from South Africa, South America, and virtually every place in between. Come see our vast selection (last season we topped out at eighty, this year we could easily hit a hundred); we think you'll be impressed by the depth and breadth on our shelves.

Start with three new discoveries of ours:

Dio Fili 2011 Rosé @ $8.99
This young estate is located just to the west of the Greek region of Macedonia; it was founded in 2006 by Yiannis Boutaris and Yiannis and Georgia Goutziamani ("dio fili" in Greek means "two friends"). Yiannis Boutaris was elected mayor of Thessaloniki in the fall of 2010 so Yiannis and Georgia now run the business alone. A blend of Xinomavro and Moschomavro aged in stainless steel, this Rosé is bold in color, smell and palate. The nose explodes with rich ripe red berries, crisp stone fruit and hints of white pepper and minerality. Floral, spicy and exotic, the palate is medium to full bodied, drinking like a clean light red wine.

Alento 2012 Rosé @ $12.99
The Adega do Monte Branco is located in Estremoz, a lovely town in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The winery, which dates only from 2006, is the project of Luis Louro, son of Miguel Louro, the owner and founder of Quinta do Mouro, one of the Alentejo's leading estates. Alento is the winery's first (and better known) brand, designed to showcase the characteristics of the region; they are modern, distinctive wines made predominantly from native grape varietals. This Rosé, for example, is made from Aragones and Touriga Nacional; it is deep, dark, and spicy, with an intense aroma of red berries, well balanced and elegant, with good acidity and a lingering aftertaste.

Essential 2012 Rosé @ $14.99
Richard Betts made his first reputation as one of the top sommeliers in the country, based for several years at the award-winning Little Nell in Aspen Colorado; then came a cult wine line in partnership with Dennis Scholl, another wine company and a tequila brand, and now his own label which he has confidently named My Essential Wine Company. To make his first Rosé, Richard headed (naturally) to France. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, the wine is a real crowd-pleaser, with light pink tones, bright acidity, and lively fruit.