Tidings Magazine

Italy

Italian rosatos, which tend to drink more like light reds, can have more obvious character than some of the French rosés. Take the Lamberti Bardolino Chiaretto Classico ($10.65) — it’s a deep-pink blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara and Sangiovese with hues of red cherry, typical of the northern hills around Lake Garda. The taste is wonderful; a delicate fruitiness balanced with a hint of thyme, some mineral notes and a backbone of acidity that carry the flavours in a most elegant way. A little further south, in Tuscany, is the great Rosato di Castiglioni 2006 ($13.95) from Frescobaldi. Though its nose is quite straightforward, crisp, clean flavours of strawberry and dark cherry are woven through a hint of violet with a fleeting kiss of cinnamon on the lingering finish. A beautiful choice for the cottage.

Chile

Dry Chilean rosés offer fresh-fruit flavours of strawberries and cherries with hints of ruby-red grapefruit and savoury spice like thyme. From the Maipo Valley, a blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot free-run juice is harnessed into the Viña Chocalan Rosé 2006 ($12.45), a beautiful, typical wine that would be a perfect chilled accompaniment to some Chilean empanadas, the staple snack-size turnover filled with shellfish or meat.

Australia

Of late, Australian rosé is trendy. Banrock Station White Shiraz ($11.05) has tons of ripe strawberry and banana that play on an off-dry body and a full, fruity finish. Most Australian rosés tend to have flavours of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and plum with some spice lingering on a sweet body; they’re all best served young. Why not try the Angoves Nine Vines Rosé 2006 ($11.95), a blend of Grenache and Shiraz from southern Australia?

Canada

As spring evenings become longer and the backyard patio becomes more inviting, sip away a warm, dusky night with a chilled glass of rosé. Of course, a lovely way to enjoy a wine is by keeping things local. For that reason, I’m including a list of Canadian selections.

Canadian Rosés

British Columbia

Calona Vineyards Blush 2005, Okanagan Valley ($9.90)

Sumac Ridge Cellar Selection Okanagan Blush 2005, Okanagan Valley ($10.95)

Arrowleaf Cellars Red Feather 2005, Okanagan Valley ($13)

Thornhaven Estates Winery Divino 2005, Okanagan Valley ($13)

Lake Breeze Vineyards Blanc de Noir 2006, Okanagan Valley ($13.90)

St. Hubertus Estate Winery Gamay Noir Rosé 2006, Okanagan Valley ($13.99)

Gray Monk Rotberger 2005, Okanagan Valley ($14.99)

Birchwood Salmon River First Blush 2005, Niagara Peninsula ($9.95)

Reif Rosé 2005, Niagara Peninsula ($9.95)

By Chadsey’s Cairns Winery and Vineyard Rosé 2004, Prince Edward County ($10.50)

EastDell Summer Rosé 2005, Niagara Peninsula ($10.95)

Cave Spring Rosé 2004, Niagara Peninsula ($11.95)

Henry of Pelham Dry Rosé 2005, Niagara Peninsula ($11.95)

Konzelmann Pinot Noir Rosé 2002, Niagara Peninsula ($11.95)

Niagara College Teaching Winery Blanc de Noir 2004, Niagara Peninsula ($11.95)

Pillitteri Estates Winery Merlot Bianco 2004, Niagara Peninsula ($12)

Château des Charmes Cuvée d’Andrée Rosé, 2005, Niagara Peninsula ($12.95)

The Grange of Prince Edward Trumpour’s Mill Rosé 2006, Prince Edward County ($12.95)

Waupoos Winery Rosé 2004, Prince Edward County ($12.95)

Huff Estates Rosé 2006, Prince Edward County ($14.95)

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