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Wines of the Week

The market has become flooded with Rose' wines. More and more vineyards are jumping on the Rose' bandwagon. Sales have increased dramatically. Some wineries are more successful than others. We at Harney's will attempt to choose the very best Rose' wines from around the world, wines that express a full range of styles, and review them in this column throughout the Summer.

BORSAO ROSE' (Spain) I'm always amused at the centuries-old battle between Spain (Garnacha) and France (Grenache), each claiming to be the origin of the Grenache grape; however, it seems to have originated on the isle of Sardinia, a part of Italy. Whatever! Borsao Rose' is 100% Garnacha. It is a rich and fruity, tasty, inexpensive, good everyday Rose'.

90+ ROSE' (France) 40% Cinsault, 35 Grenache, 15 Syrah, 10 Mouvedre.This Rose' is in the Provence, France, style: light, dry, crisp, with hints of strawberry and cherry. Very refreshing and food-friendly.

BENVOLIO TOSCANA ROSSO (Italy) This light and fruity red wine from Italy may be classified as a Summer Red. If the wine is chilled for about 30 minutes, the unpleasant taste of alcohol, which becomes pronounced in red wines in hot weather, will disappear. So, there is no reason to give up red wine for the summer. Try it and see! Other light and fruity red wines that may be considered as Summer Reds are First Crush Sangiovese and Santa Cristina.


ROSE' FESTIVAL JUNE 10, 2:00 TO 4:00

Wines of the Week

We recommend the following wines for your pleasure as the warmer weather approaches or at any time of the year. Each week throughout the Summer, we will feature two additional Rose' wines plus a white or a red.

ST. MICHAEL-EPPAN PINOT GRIGIO a product of Northeast Italy, land of the Italian style Pinot Grigio: light-bodied, crisp, and dry. Fermented in stainless-steel tanks to guarantee freshness, this wine exhibits aromas and flavors of pear and apple, with a hint of mineral. Pair with lighter foods: salads, fish/seafood/chicken dishes.


JOSH CELLARS ROSE' CALIFORNIA. Many of you are already familiar and very pleased with the Josh line of wines by Joe Carr, who travels between the Cape, where he lives, and California. Here is his version of Rose' (89% Barbera, 6 Muscat, 5 Syrah), light-bodied, fresh, dry, with aromas and flavors of strawberry, peach, and citrus. Serve as an aperitif and with lighter foods.


Mi Mi ROSE' from the Provence area of France; a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. It is typically dry and crisp, with hints of strawberry and peach. Serve as an aperitif or with salads and lighter foods. Another Rose' wine we have that blends Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, is Estandon, also from the Provence area, a best-seller for the last three years.

More Easter wines.....


We recommend the following elegant wines for your enjoyment during this holiday season:

CLOS DU VAL CHARDONNAY
NAPA, CALIFORNIA 

A more respected wine region in the world does not exist. Napa's wines, especially Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, are world-class. This medium-bodied Clos du Val Chardonnay offers many-layered aromas and flavors: pear, peach, citrus, with hints of vanilla and toast. A perfect complement to the traditional foods of the season.


LA CREMA PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST, CALIFORNIA

This Pinot Noir is highly concentrated. There is so much going on here. The wine exhibits aromas and flavors of raspberry, strawberry, plum, with hints of mocha and spice; and, depending on your wine palate, you might also detect cherry, cola, cranberry, black tea. Superb with lamb.


CHAMPS DE PROVENCE ROSE'
COTES DE PROVENCE, FRANCE

The Provence region of France has always been known for its rose' wines. It's only in recent years that the United States has changed from a syrupy-sweet, heavy version of rose' to the light-bodied, crisp, and dry style of Provence. Over the last three years, sales of rose' wines have risen over 40%. Mainly Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, Champs de Provence exhibits notes of berries, citrus, with hints of raspberry and mineral.

Easter Wines

I recommend the following elegant wines for your pleasure during this holiday season:

DAVIS BYNUM CHARDONNAY 2013
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

From a single vineyard: River West, comes this rich and creamy Chardonnay, exhibiting aromas and flavors of butterscotch, lemon, and apple; medium-bodied, with a long, lush finish.


HIGH HOOK PINOT NOIR
OREGON

One of our most popular wines for years. It exhibits aromas and flavors of red raspberry and smoky black cherry, with a hint of spiciness. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, with a very long finish. Excellent with traditional, seasonal dishes; extraordinary with lamb. 


ENDLESS CRUSH ROSE' OF PINOT NOIR 2016
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Made from organic grapes, this superior rose' wine exhibits aromas and flavors of strawberry, watermelon, blood orange, red currant, with a hint of mineral. It was fermented with Provencal yeast in stainless steel to guarantee its freshness and fruitiness. Only 672 cases produced.