Sipping roses in summer

Summer’s here, and with it the season for tall drinks, cold beer, and wines that do well in the heat — rosé wines.

Rosé wines are neither red nor white, but somewhere in between. They are made from red wine grapes, but with a shorter skin contact and fermentation periods, so the colour is lighter than a red wine (varying from a very light rose to light red). Most rosés are also sweeter and lower in alcohol content than conventional red or white wines, although internationally the fashion is swinging back towards a drier style.

Rosé wines are much misunderstood — not unsurprising, since most consumers barely know much about either red or white wine, let alone a wine that is “in between”. For one, rosés are drunk chilled (like whites), but have the ability to be paired with cuisines that would wipe out conventional white wines, particularly spicy Indian or oriental cuisines. The low alcohol levels and relatively sweeter finish also make it a very nice afternoon drink or a pre-dinner aperitif which reduces the risk of you slipping under the table after a few glasses.

Rosé wines are also called “blush” wines, and in California the term “White Zinfandel” is confusingly used for a rosé made from that grape. All major wine companies in India produce rosé wines (prices mentioned are Bangalore rates):

Sula Blush Zinfandel: Bright pink, fruity, with aromas of honeysuckle and fresh strawberries. Said to be a versatile, “anytime” wine great for picnics, parties, and hot summer days (Rs 637)

Grover’s Art Collection Shiraz Rosé: Salmon pink, with a full, fruity aroma and a long finish, the wine complements Indian food — especially tandoori dishes and kebabs. (Rs 480)

Four Seasons Classique Blush Rosé: Made from Shiraz and Zinfandel grapes, this salmon pink wine has a floral aroma (with hints of berries and spice) and a fruity, off-dry, balanced taste (Rs 582).

United Spirits (the spirits company of the UB Group) also markets two rosé wines produced by group company Bouvet Ladubay from France’s Loire Valley:

Bouvet Rosé Excellence: A sparkling wine of salmon pink colour, and a lingering aroma of peach with lots of flavour. (Rs 1,672 )

Bouvet Rubis Excellence: Cherry red with violet overtones of peony pink froth. The aroma of red fruit is enhanced by sparkling textures. On the palate, one gets hints of blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry. (Rs 1,672).

That’s a good number of rosés to for you to chill out with.

Wines I’ve been drinking:
I tried a Valdivieso Caballo Loco No. 9 from Chile with friend and celebrity chef Manu Chandra of Olive Beach. Produced mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this wine is made in a unique solera style that blends 50 per cent of the wine from the current vintage (in this case 2004) with wines ranging back to 1990. Very dark and aromatic, the flavour of cherries, coffee, and spice aromas combine with hints of vanilla and cinnamon; it has full-bodied, strong velvety tannins that will hold the wine for several more years, and a nice long finish. It’s priced at Rs 3,100 per bottle.

The writer is a Bangalore-based wine consultant