Tag Archives: rosé

A bouquet of rosé for Mother’s Day

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On Mother’s Day, you can give your mom roses. Or you can serve her rosé.

110821dOne of the prettiest pours you will find is Isabel Mondavi Deep Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon, a lovely dark pink that reflects the wine’s  aromas of strawberry and cranberry, with notes of green apple. It’s slightly acid. Of course, your mother is not.

The real-life Isabel is a mom, the wife of Michael Mondavi, who co-founded Michael Mondavi Family Estate in the Napa Valley with son Rob and his wife Dina, who sent me a bottle to sample.

It’s a light and lively wine, ideal for toasting mom on the deck, especially if you are grilling salmon or turkey.

As for the winemakers, they pour IM rosé as an aperitif. Start with a big glass, so you can add lots of ice. Garnish with a slice of orange or an edible flower.

Mondavi family members have dubbed the drink “Isabel Rocks.” That’s a tribute most moms would cherish. Expect to pay about $17, so mom won’t worry about you spending all your money on her.

Then again, you might have enough left over for roses.

 

The first rosé of the season

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imagesAs we glide toward summer, let’s uncork a rosé from the sunny vineyards of Portugal. I’m pouring Defesa Rosé, an intense, elegant wine with notes of red cherry and blackberry made by the Herdade do Esporão winery, in the Alentejo region, also a celebrated source of olive oil.

No shrinking violet, Defesa is robust for a rosé, with a slightly herbal feel. The color is the deep pink of a Mediterranean sunset.

If you shy away from rosé wines, I encourage you to give one a try the next time you light up the barbecue. Defesa is a good match for grilled chicken or spicy shrimp or perhaps a salad sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Also think of a nicely chilled bottle of rosé as a thoughtful gift for your hosts, delivered with a bouquet of pink roses. Expect to pay about $14 for this well-made import.