Annual Rose & Sausages Melbourne 2022
While Rosé was once considered a little out of fashion it has come back with
full force thanks to the efforts of quality conscious producers focusing on
dryer, textural styles like those seen from its spiritual home in Provence. It
has taken a firm foothold in the psyche of savvy wine drinkers worldwide and the
demand for it has grown exponentially every year. Even with an incredible
selection like we are seeing today its barely a drop in the ocean of what's
available in the market now.
In Australia the move towards dryer, fresher
styles and away from the lolly water, fruit bombs of the past have been
thoroughly embraced by consumers. We believe this is the perfect style for
drinking over the hot Australian summer and with Rosè from every region and from
an incredibly diverse selection of varieties it is an exciting time to be
drinking locally indeed.
Of course, the traditional Rosé of Provence
still sits atop the throne with its slippery palate, textural savoury edge
combined with fresh cut, juicy red fruits that make it the perfect combo for
summer sipping. Regions like Bandol and those further west incorporate an even
more structured style again with grenache giving way to the broodier mouvedre
based wines of the region. And, while the Mediterranean south dominates our
hearts and minds the Rhone, Burgundy and Loire are hot on its
heels.
Spain takes its lead from Provence, with styles generally best
consumed in their youth with grenache and tempranillo based rosato's featuring
heavily. At the same time Italy is hitting its stride with textural and forward
styles from across the country and based around stalwart varietals like
sangiovese and nebbiolo as well as a range of other native grapes from its
warmer southern coasts.
Add to that a range of perfect pink from across
the globe and there is no better time to be joining the Rosè
revolution.
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Fontaleoni Rosato Condorino IGT Toscana 2020Fontaleoni is a family estate run by brother and sister team, Matteo and Simona Troiani, with a little help from consultant Paolo Caciorgna. They've succeeded in producing a range that is emblematic of the best of what the region has to offer with particular emphasis on Vernaccia.
Like all their wines they get the primo treatment in the winery. A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot this presents with a top note of rose-petal, plum, and wild cranberry. Its bright and crunchy mouthfeel gives way to soft red fruits and that sangiovese sour cherry we all know and love. I don't know why we don't see more sangiovese base rose as they seem to get that balance of savoury and sweet so well, especially when they are pink.
2020Merlot, sangioveseItaly495$20.00 As low as $18.00