May 14, 2013

April wines

A month of waiting, longing and waiting. When we were about to give up and thought we were forever doomed to live in a state of permafrost it finally happened - spring arrived. Hats, gloves and scarves are now stored away until at least October. Or longer if I get to decide….

Spring also means rosé wines. Just like last year TheMan and I raided the wine shop in aim to find this summer’s favourite rosé. Having been seduced by Les Baronnes Sancerre Rosé for the last two summers we have become very picky… Dark raspberry coloured rose wines go away immediately. They are usually too sweet and taste like raspberry or strawberry lemonade. The New World, not very likely… France, yes please. And Provence, yes very much.

This year also two bottles from Italy ended up in our basket. Everything that comes out of Tuscany has to be good, right? We have been very impressed with the Rapaura Series from Stoneleigh so a bottle of their rosé somehow also made it to our basket, despite the very dark raspberry colour.

Verdict? Les Baronnes is still our number one choice, but M de Minuty Rosé is a good choice for a relaxing afternoon in the garden with friends. The two Tuscans were very nice too and just what we like, but Tuscany is famous for its red wine. Not rosé wine… And Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rosé? Well, I should have known from the colour. Too sweet and tasted like raspberry lemonade. TheMan added tonic water which made it less sweet and fizzy. Worked as a pre-dinner drink, but one drink was more than enough…

2010 Brolio Chianti Classico

La Prua Veneto Appassimento Rosso

Vicar's Choice Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

2012 Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc Stoneleigh

André Clouet Silver Brut Nature

Castelforte Amarone della Valpolicella

2010 Le Volte dell’Ornellaia

2009 Fonterutoli

2010 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc

2012 Rapaura Pinot Noir Stoneleigh

2011 Castello di Ama Rosato

2008 Gallina Barbera d’Alba La Spinnetta

2012 M de Minuty Rosé

2012 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rosé

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