Summer is here! The great weather and the endless array of outdoor festivals truly mean that it’s blue-sky & rosé-wine time. As part of our newly-launched One Dozen Rosés, you can read all about the aromas & tastes of each bottle you will receive in your case of wine.
The Rosé Report will take the guess work out of what taste awaits in many bottles of rosés. Here are just a few of the rosés to enjoy in One Dozen Rosés plus a recipe from the kitchen of a great Niagara winery bistro. Watch this space for the full report – and it is ongoing throughout the summer – at savvycompany.ca/rosereport. Each week we will highlight a couple of must try Ontario Rosés.
Bring on summer! ORDER NOW …
Come summer, it’s so easy to be a big fan of rosé. Chilled and off-dry,it pairs beautiful with whatever you bring home from the farmer’s market. That’s why we’re all so excited about our latest venture. No more waiting in hot, sticky lines at the LCBO!
It is not all rosy when it comes to rosé wines, as many people are stuck on the idea that rosés are sweet. Truth be told, they are anything but sweet. Similar to white wines, rosés are also dry with a refreshing zing to quench your thirst. Many are low in alcohol (9% to 13%) and can range from any shade of pink from pale salmon to candy floss to even light red.
“Rosé wines unleash the creativity in a winemaker. They can be made from any combination of grape variety resulting in dramatically different styles,” says Savvy Sommelier Debbie Trenholm. “There are so many exceptional rosé wines made right here in Ontario but not all are available at the LCBO. We’ve launched this One Dozen Rosés and The Rosé Report to help you experience those hidden gems.”
~ The Rosé Report ~
Let’s have a Mini Wine Tasting!
Our Sommeliers do it all the time…now it is your turn. In your One Dozen Rosés, there are wines from 2 wineries – DiProfio Estates & Harwood Estates – with bottles from different vintages. This Rosé Report will look at Di Profio from Niagara, stay tuned next week for another segment on Rosé wines from the same vineyard but from 2 different vintages – this time from Prince Edward County.
Di Profio is a tucked-away winery, run by husband & wife team Joseph & Carolynn DiProfio – this boutique winery is making fantastic wines. Interestingly, their son is the winemaker at Pondview Estates Winery as well as at the family business.
Grab 2 glasses and try a splash of each of the wines side-by-side to see and taste the difference a year makes. Notice the difference in the colour, the aromas & the tastes too. We thought these wines were so dramatically different that we wanted you to try this experience – and experiment – too. Our team of Savvy Sommeliers liked the wines both equally…here are our tasting notes:
DiProfio Gamay Rosé VQA 2012
$15.70
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: A gorgeous ruby or watermelon colour, this wine has aromas of strawberry jam & fresh rhubarb pie that continue into the taste. There is an interesting mint & earthy note that has not appeared in other Rosés in your selection. Our Sommeliers figure that this must be characteristic of Gamay Noir grapes.
Suggested Food Pairing: ”My beet pizza would be great with this”, tempts Savvy Team member Deb White. To make, simply spread basil pesto on a pizza shell, sprinkle chopped cooked beets, crumble feta cheese and minced red onions. Bake in the oven or on the BBQ until golden brown. Easy as that!
DiProfio Gamay Rosé VQA 2013
$15.70
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: A completely different colour than the 2012, this one is a stunning coral colour in the glass. Aromas of grapefruit & geraniums are noted with tastes of red fruit (cherry, raspberry or strawberry perhaps). This Rosé has a nice refreshing acidity, a very long finish of lemon…or is it grapefruit? Definitely an outstanding wine.
Suggested Food Pairing: Anyone for a picnic? Chill & pack in your basket (no need for a corkscrew) to enjoy with tabbouleh, hummus, quinoa salad, even a fruit salad. For something completely different, serve a glass of this Rosé with Chilled Cantaloupe Soup when you have friends over to unwind in the sunshine. Recipe is on the following pages
Welcome to life Among the Vines
As an added bonus, you can visit their bed and breakfast, Among the Vines, nestled between Jordan Village and Jordan Station, among the vines of the Mia Cara vineyard and next door to their winery; home to Di Profio Wines. Come & enjoy the root of the wine experience in a very personal way.
The 11 acres of mature fruit bearing and newly planted vines are filled with activity during the day and tranquility at night. We promise that the vines won’t disturb your sleep. Awake to a fresh breakfast prepared by a truly caring chef. Travel the Twenty Valley wine route and return for a relaxing evening in the friendly atmosphere of our home
The Good Wine Rosé VQA 2012
$17.95
Niagara-on-the-Lake
We tried both the 2012 & 2013 Rosé from The Good Earth Food & Wine Co. and the 2012 was the hands-down favorite. Winery owner Nicolette Novak says that “Rosé goes perfectly with everything they serve at the Bistro”. On your next trip to Niagara, be sure to plan a visit to The Good Earth to enjoy their wines at their bistro & patio that looks out into their vineyard. A perfect place for lunch or dinner. While you are there, be sure to ask for Nicolette – the wonderful woman who is the driving ‘force’ behind everything that goes on at Good Earth.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: This bright, cherry-coloured wine is very aromatic. It reminds everyone in the Savvy Team of cotton candy – the colour, aroma & taste. Laced with fresh ground white pepper, herbs, watermelon & fresh cut grass, this wine is complex with all of its interesting aromas & flavors.
Suggested Food Pairing: Another Rosé that we thought was so good that you needed 2 bottles on hand – at all times! Enjoy this wine with roast salmon with a raspberry coulis, or with herbed roast pork. Be sure to try Nicolette’s favorite recipe to serve with this wine: Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce & Toasted Hazelnuts.
Be sure to drop by The Good Earth Food & Wine Bistro to sample their excellent cuisine.
Rosé wines delivered to your home, office…even cottage! ORDER HERE
Be sure to try the only assorted case of Rosé wine you will find in Ontario which is delivered right to your door – One Dozen Rosés . Each month throughout the summer – July, August & September – Savvy Sommeliers will offer 12 bottles of different rosé wines from across Ontario. Next to the taste, the best part of this new way to buy hard-to-find rosé wines is free shipping. You don’t even have to get up off your lawn chair to order
~ Recipes to Enjoy with your Rosés ~
Gnocchi Pillow with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
From The Good Earth Cooking School
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 cups ricotta
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
½ C grated parmesan cheese
¾ C all-purpose flour
¼ tsp grated nutmeg
Pinch salt & pepper
Brown Butter Sauce
1 C + 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
1 shallot, diced
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ C thinly sliced fresh sage
¼ C toasted hazelnuts, chopped
¼ C freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Method
In a bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, egg yolk, nutmeg, salt & pepper. Add the remaining ingredients, mixing well with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be slightly sticky.
On a well-floured surface, section the dough into 8 equal parts & roll out into long ‘logs’ of approximately ¾ to 1” diameter. Create the gnocchi by cutting each log into ¾ to 1” pieces Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Drop about a quarter of the gnocchi into the water When the gnocchi float, cook for an additional minute.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to a cold water bath. This will stop the cooking and ‘set’ the gnocchi Repeat until all the gnocchi are cooked. Strain, lightly oil, and lay out in a lightly oiled baking sheet.
At this point you can refrigerate or freeze the gnocchi for future use. To reheat, simply bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the gnocchi, cooking just long enough to heat through. Strain & serve.
Method – Brown Butter Sauce
In a large frying pan, melt 2 Tbsp butter & add shallots. You pan needs to be large enough to accommodate all the gnocchi, or as many as you wish to cook.
Cook butter for 2 minutes over medium heat then add the remaining butter; turn down the heat to a low setting & continue to cook for 8 minutes. The butter will begin to foam & take on a golden colour then remove from heat.
Carefully add the sage & hazelnuts. Add cooked gnocchi & toss gently.
Garnish with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano & serve with Rosé wine.
Enjoy…and remember to Clink & Drink Pink!