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Rosé! Rosé! Rosé!

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Ladies and gentlemen, 2010 rosé has officially landed! A sure sign of springtime, evoking evenings filled with dinner parties on the deck, barbecues in the park, and long evenings cooling off by the lake. More and more, I am slowly convincing people that rosé is fantastic to enjoy all year round, but also can understand and respect the apprehension. Regardless, it is time to rejoice, for rosé is finally here.

The varying bright pink hues have to do with the amount of time the wine comes into contact with the grape skins during fermentation. Some rosés see more skin time than others, and thus become deeper and darker in color. Other rosés just have a kiss of pink, and tend to be on the drier side. Ultimate brightness and freshness are when they are consumed young, within a year or so. However, there are some, especially those from France’s Bandol or Tavel, that can cellar well for many years.

The most interesting is the diverse flavor profiles that can be found among rosés from different parts of the world. Generally speaking, French rosé is the most dry and most complex, using varying blends of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvedre. Domestic rosé grapes include Sangiovese, Malbec, and Pinot Noir. In recent years we have seen very interesting rosé out of Portugal, Germany and Austria. From bubbly, to bone dry, to the sweeter side, rosé offers something for everyone. The bottom line is they are definitely worth the winter’s wait! Below are a few of Leschi Market’s tasting panel’s favorites!

2010 Triennes Vin de Pays, France, $14.99, our #1 best-selling rosé from a year ago is back and even better than last year. Light, dry, and full of flavor. Production is down for this vintage and it will sell out quickly, so don’t delay.

2010 Saint Aix Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France, $13.09, a newcomer this year that will give the Triennes a run for its money to stay at the top of the charts.

2010 Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, Portugal, $7.49, simply so good it’s addictive! Perennial favorite, virtually available year-round. The touch of spritz will have you coming back for more!

2010 Villa Wolf, Germany, $11.19, bright salmon color, bone dry, great with a sunset!

2010 Ameztoi ‘Rubentis’ Txakolina Basque Country, Spain, $17.79, very, very limited. One of the best rosés around. Grapes hail from 150+ year old vines from 7th generation of sustainable winemakers. Light, fresh, and tangy. A must try.

2010 Syncline, Columbia Valley, $16.79, this Washington rosé is always one of the best domestics to try. You’ll find it as by-the-glass pours at many local restaurants while supplies last. Crisp, dry, and complex. Think rose petals, watermelon, and a long refreshing “ahhhhhhhhhhh.”

2010 Barnard Griffin, Washington, $9.39, made from Sangiovese. Liquid strawberries and cream will fill your glass from this six-time Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, one of the largest competitions in North America. Always a Leschi top-seller.

Wine Tasting Leschi Market’s annual Spring Wine Tasting in partnership with the Lakewood-Seward Park Community Center took place last month. An eventfully fun evening was had by all while we welcomed springtime by sipping on new wines and visiting with friends and neighbors. Definitely keep it in the back of your mind for next year. The much anticipated results are in!

Tied for first place, 2009 Encosta dos Curiosos Tinto Rouge from Portugal ($7) has a bright ruby color with a smoky berry palate and a long, yet light finish. The kind of taste that will have you craving more! Also in first place, the 2007 Cavas de Crianza Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina ($12), has great, full body appeal with tobacco leaf and black pepper on the finish.

Following those two wines in a very very close 3rd place was 2007 Five Star Cellars Sangiovese ($29) out of Walla Walla. Sourced from some of the best vineyards in the state, this is a real serious wine. Big, bold, black fruit up front, with a long smooth finish. This winery is a must try!

I would like to call out one other highlight of the evening. A wine worth taking note of is Madrona’s own Wilridge Winery’s Maison Red Blend, Columbia Valley, 1.5 Liter. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Dubbed the Wilridge Maison “wine growler,” this 1.5-liter reusable bottle is not only delicious, but it just makes sense. Here’s how it works. You pay a one-time $8 bottle deposit when first purchasing. The wine itself, equal to 2 regular sized bottles, costs $19.99. Once the wine has been enjoyed, and the bottle is empty, you then are able to bring it back to Leschi Market. You can then buy the wine without having to place another deposit, or return the wine and receive the deposit back. The bottle is extra heavy duty and designed to withstand years of use. Maison is significant in that it’s obviously gentler on the Earth because the bottle is reused instead of making a new one or recycling an old one. It is definitely a program we will be supporting. Essentially, the initial purchase is $27.99, then $19.99 thereafter. Anyone would be hard pressed to find two-$10 bottles of high quality Washington wine that is also Earth friendly at the same time. A win-win for all.

CHEERS! ENJOY!

Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is a wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His monthly column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMarket.com. Contact Ken directly at leschimarketwine@aol.com and follow the wine department exclusively at facebook.com/leschimarket OR twitter.com/leschimarket.


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