By: Ed “The Wine Guy”
I would like
to give an overview of the Rose' season, and to feature Les Lauzeraies Tavel
Rose' 2014 as the new Wine of the Week. Sales of Rose' wines during the season
have surpassed all expectations. Last year, we offered about 15 Rose' wines;
this year we more than doubled that number, and tried to present a more-varied
selection from different parts of the wine world. Your response has been
overwhelming, with the wines from Provence, France taking the top spot in
sales. Whispering Angel, from Provence, has been the best of the best, and that
for three straight seasons. Most of the Rose' wines are on the dry (not sweet)
side, and are a far cry from the sickening-sweet, syrupy wines of the past. Les
Lauzeraies Tavel Rose', from the Southern Rhone Valley, France, is a blend of
eight (8) grapes, including both red and white wine grapes - remember that the
juice of all wine grapes is white. This Tavel is made the same way as other
Rose' wines, but, since the liquid is allowed to remain with the skins, seeds,
and stems for a longer period of time, it develops a deeper color, heavier
body, and higher alcohol content. The result is a beautiful ruby color, a
deeper aroma and flavor of berries, minerality, and spice. I have enjoyed Tavel
Rose' for many years. In the comparison of wines, more often than not, it is
not a matter of good versus bad, but only of difference. You be the judge.