Nassau Valley Vineyards brings home two golds
As promised, this week brings more Rosé. First I would like to toss in a plug for Nassau Valley Vineyards and a big congratulation to wine maker Mike Reese for winning their first two gold medals of the 2015 vetting season. Way to go Suzanne and Peggy!
NVV brought wine to the Delaware coast in a big way. If by chance you haven’t visited the winery, let me say you are missing a fine opportunity. In addition to a well-run vineyard and winery, these women have established an art gallery, a lovely venue for parties and weddings, plus a series of events that revolve around wine.
You owe it to yourselves to take a spin up to their tasting room, especially this month, to enjoy the gallery featuring Coastal Camera Club’s exhibit, sample some award-winning wine and take advantage of their sale with a substantial discount on mixed or full cases; i.e., a case of Laurel’s Red would set you back about $144.
Let’s lead off the Rosés this week with NVV’s Cape Rosé 2012. This is French dry style Rosé. The strawberry fruit forward nose sets up your brain to think “sweet” but the palate immediately differentiates the lovely clean acid profile that balances the fruit.
An excellent food wine to complement our fresh local seafood or a summer tomato bisque or corn chowder, or maybe just to sip while swinging in your hammock. Careful, though, wear a bib or an old shirt.
With the current sale you could grab a case for around $15/bottle.
By the way, the name of that cute little kiddy apron, bib, originated from the days when winos were called tipplers and bibbers. The gluttonous among them often spilled from their trenchers (chunks of bread used as eating utensils in Europe until the 1600s), flagons and goblets.
These sloppy eating habits also gave rise to the necktie. Many may find it odd that although forks were in use as cooking implements, Europeans did not employ them as eating utensils until centuries after the Orientals. It is claimed Catherine De Medici introduced widespread use of the fork to European nobility. The hoi polloi used their hands or trenchers, even for sopping soup (supper), and also used knives. The upper crust men carried knives to cut and spear meat and in most cases cut it for the ladies at table, as well.
Hoisting a small joint and gnawing from it was also considered mannerly. Fork derives from Furca, the Latin for pitchfork, so we know the concept was around.
Etymologists claim the lack of metal and foundries prevented their adoption rather than ignorance. I think the enjoyment of grabbing a joint drove it. No, you evil-minded loyal readers, I’m referring to rib, burger and taco joints.
Mirabeau Rosé 2014, from Provence, is pretty pink. It opens to raspberry and cherry, then continues the cherry through a creamy but clean, long finish. When bought under $16, 88 points. Chateau de Roquefort Cotes de Provence Corail Rosé 2013 was rated 89 by Tanzer. Most of the others treated it more roughly, in the low to mid 80s. Stephen knows his stuff, folks. This is a bargain around $20. The 2014 not so much.
The 2012 vintage was wiped out by a devastating hailstorm. Surrounding vignerons gave him grapes and/or juice, and the vintage was blended and released as CdR Grele Rosé 2012. Who said the French were tightwads? Grele is a blend of Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, Merlot, Cab, Syrah and Rolle.
Pale orange colored, it has lovely aromas of orange zest and strawberries with floral notes and chalky minerality. On the palate, look for citrus and strawberry balanced by appropriate acidity through a pleasing, spicy, finish that repeats the flowers and minerality. This is a good story, and it is too bad the wine won’t cellar 15 years. A real example of winemakers’ art and good fellowship.
