Out & About Summer 2021

TOP TIPPLES Head sommelier at The Vineyard hotel and UK sommelier of the year 2019, ROMAIN BOURGER looks forward to some warm summer days when a glass of rosé wine is just the thing to complement al fresco dining

H opefully everyone is now able to enjoy these bright sunny days and some socialising, and the sunny weather calls for barbecues and perhaps some rosé wines. How is rosé wine made? By blending red and white wine? Well, technically this can be done, such as in Champagne and other quality sparkling wines, but when it comes to still rosé wine, in my opinion, this is not the best method of production. Champagne, and now quality sparkling wines, have been well known to excel in the art of blending, whether it is blending grape varieties, sub-regions or, indeed, colours. This has been the key of keeping their consistency and ‘creating’ their own style and personality. But, how else can rosés be made? A famous method is the bleeding process or rosé de saignée. This is the process of bleeding of a certain amount of juice from a red wine tank while fermenting. Initially, this was done in order to increase the juice-to- colouring-component ratio and has more extraction in the finished red wine. While some argue that wines made from the bleeding process is just a by-product of red wine production, some, including me, see a true winemaking process in it. Some of the best rosé Champagne are now made using this technique. To me, this give more character and personality to the finished wine. In a similar way, they can be made exactly as a red wine by macerating – softening – the juice with the skin, but for a shorter amount of time. This is an easier way to control the colour that the winery wants to extract. The third technique is by pressing the grapes hard enough to extract the colour. This normally results in pale rosé. Rosé wines, still and sparkling, range from bone dry to off-dry and from pale to dark pink/light red therefore – so something for everyone.

In recent years, the trend has been towards very pale wines, some almost looking like slightly tainted white wines. Provence is the true home of rosé wines due to its warm, sunny and holiday-like weather. But other regions or countries should not be forgotten. Provence is the true home of rosé wines due to its warm, sunny and holiday- like weather.

sweet and medium-bodied wines made from Cabernet France and Cabernet Sauvignon. Due to their sweeter nature, these wines go wonderfully well with spicy food. Bordeaux makes some lively, darker wines that can pair really well with full flavoured food and meat. Other examples of light rosés can be found in the Languedoc-Roussillon. If you want to discover new wines, you might be able to find some Shiraz rosé from Australia which should be a bit fuller and darker, but very fruit driven and round. Similarly, if you like fuller wines, try a Malbec rosé from Argentina where you will find the delicate berry fruit and hints of violet. Another great alternative is a blush Pinot Gris from New Zealand, these wines will be lighter in colour and showing ripe summer fruits aromas. California offer fantastic wines with different origin, whether they are made from Italian grapes, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, you can get your hands on some great gems. If you wish to stay local, then explore what the UK has to offer. With the climate getting warmer, still wines are really developing and some fantastic examples are to be found. You will find some deliciously fruity wines made from varieties grown in the UK for decades such as Rondo or discover some fruity, lively and light Pinot Noir. Don’t be afraid to also explore countries like Austria, Germany, the east coast of the US or eastern Europe as some fantastic wines are also made there Some exquisite examples to me are Chapel Down wines or Railway Hill from Simpsons Wines, both based in Kent. Alternatively, a great rosé cider could also do the trick. A staycation needn’t be all bad with these choices on offer.

The Loire Valley, for example, produces some fabulous light and fruity wines from Pinot Noir in the Sancerre area or some delicious Cabernet d’Anjou or Cabernet de Saumur – these are slightly

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O&A SUMMER 2021