Rose Outlook

Put an accent on the "e" of Rose.  The past two months have been pretty much a loss.  In a lot of cases, a disastrous one, if you have lost people or nearly all your financial security.  So for a moment, let's look away from all this fear and pain.

We had a week of wind and rain, likely to be followed by more of the same, but this weekend (like the future, we hope) is blue skies, sun and bursting growth -- the Bee Balm plant has shot up to three feet already.  In time for this lovely break in the gloom, we received a shipment from Wine Insiders to help chase those clouds away.  In the past we just chose their case selection divided evenly between reds and whites, but after proving ourselves loyal customers, they have been providing more detailed offerings, more into the fine French, Spanish and New Zealand vintages.  But they were right, we had to be educated first.

The fourteen bottles included some real delights and new territory to explore (or terroirs, I guess).  The Bordeaux rose above is made from Cabernet Savignon and Merlot and you must look for it.  It will not be returned to the refrigerator half empty.

Two other roses beg for attention:  Racine Pays d'Oc 2018 made from Grenache and Cinsault (France) and Marques del Turia Bobal Rose.  The latter is a dramatically darker color than most roses, from the dry landscape of southeast Spain.  The origin of the name Bobal is the Latin bovale, bull -- because the grape bunches resemble a bull's head.  Cinsault is found in Rhone blends and Provencal roses; it's floral and fruity.  By itself it is said to pair perfectly with escargot, but I for one don't intend to go there.

And the versatile, diverse Tempranillo from the Navarre and Rioja regions of northeast Spain (around since about 800 B.C.!), represented by Terra Sara Cuvee de la Familia, 2018...  I had to argue a little once with a sommelier for Tempranillo instead of what he suggested.  This light red wine's cherry, plum and tomato fruit, medium tannins and acidity as well as smooth finish aren't just friendly with your Italian, Spanish or Mexican food, it proposes marriage!

There is dawn after the darkness.  Get ready to enjoy life again.