Rosé for Days
San Francisco isn't exactly known for it's hot weather- even in summer but we've had a bit of a heatwave this weekend. When it is hot I usually only want one kind of wine, Rosé. The thing that many people don't realize is that Rosé isn't really one kind of wine. Rosé is produced all over the world including France, America, Canada, Chile and more. Some producers focus on single varietals like Inniskillin's Pinot Noir Rosé. Others use a blend like Serendipity's Rose which mixes Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. I had a chance to drink both this weekend and they are equally great.
Rosé has gotten a bit of a bad rap. Most people associate Rosé with the White Zinfandel Sutter Homes first introduced in the 1970's and continues to sell today. Don't get me wrong I have on more than one occasion drank a Sutter Home White Zinfandel, but it seems unfair to compare it to some of the stellar Rosé wine I've tasted over the years. Though, we all owe some thanks to Sutter Homes as the demand for White Zinfandel allowed old vine Zinfandel to thrive instead of being replanted for more profitable varietal.
My biggest confession is that Rosé often brings out a major wine sin, I almost always put ice in it because in that heat, you need it. What is your favorite hot weather wine?
