~ The Rosé Report ~
May 2019
Did you know…Rosé wines can be made with any grape? Unlike shopping specifically for your favorite grape variety, allow yourself to discover a different style with Rosés. Select based on recommendations, price, colour in the bottle, pro reviews…or by the creative label!
Our team of Savvy Sommeliers have done the ‘tough work’. We’ve been sipping & sampling the latest Rosé wines made across Ontario & have picked the most refreshing ones to be featured in the May assortment.
So…get your corkscrew & wine glasses ready to Clink & Drink Pink!
In the May Bouquet of Rosés, you will find:
Huff Estates Rosé VQA 2018 – from Prince Edward County
Keint-He Portage Rosé VQA 2017 – from The County
Meldville Wines by Derek Barnett Rosé VQA 2018 – from Niagara
Rosehall Run ‘Just One Rosé’ VQA 2017 – from The County
Two Sisters Vineyards Margo Rosé VQA 2017 – from Niagara-on-the-Lake and a Savvy Exclusive!
Westcott Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé VQA 2018 – from Niagara-on-the-Lake
Several of these Rosés have just been released & you are the first to enjoy them! And the coolest part…the wines that you have in your hands are extra special. They are not available at the LCBO, rather they came straight from the winemaker to you.
To help you enjoy the wines, our Savvy Sommeliers have shared their tasting notes along with food pairing tips and our favorite recipes to serve with Rosés.
At any time during the summer, if you would like to order additional bottles of your favorite Rosés or other hard-to-find Ontario wines (we do craft ciders & artisan cheeses too!), call me at 613-SAVVYCO (613-728-8926) or debbie@savvycompany.ca.
I’ll be happy to arrange a special delivery for you.
Here’s to summer!
Debbie & the Savvy Team
613-SAVVYCO (613-728-8926)
debbie@savvycompany.ca
PS: Show us how you like to enjoy these Rosé wines. Post a picture on Instagram & tag us! @SavvyCompanyInc #RoséAllDay
In this Bouquet of Rosés, you will find…
Huff Estates Rosé VQA 2018
$20
Prince Edward County
This is one of Huff Estates’ signature and most popular wines. Rosé and County wine fans clamor for it every year – Savvy Team included! Always crafted with 100% Cabernet Franc grapes grown on the estate, there is the regional characteristic of minerality & crisp acidity that makes this a class act wine.
Travel TIP: If you are heading to Prince Edward County this summer, plan to visit Huff on Sunday when they have live jazz performers playing on the el fresco patio overlooking the vineyard.
Sommelier’s Tasting Notes: This refreshing wine is bone dry with a light pink hue that resembles classic Rosé wines from Tavel, France. Fresh strawberry & rhubarb notes with a splash of pomegranate creates a well-crafted refreshing balanced Rose wine with refreshing acidity.
Keint-He Portage Rosé VQA 2017
$22
Prince Edward County
This is a Rosé to serve to any friends who think all pinks are light and sweet.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: The colour of candy floss, this is a beautiful, Provençal-style Rosé. Made from 100% estate Pinot Noir, you’ll find notes of strawberry, honey, and vanilla and a hint of muskmelon in this dry watermelon-pink summer sipper. Piquant lemon rounds out the flavours.
Suggested Food Pairing: Enjoy on its own this year or serve with a chilled gazpacho.
Meldville Wines by Derek Barnett Rosé VQA 2018
$20
Niagara
Derek Barnett was the first winemaker that we hosted a winemaker’s dinner for when we started Savvy Company over 15 years ago. We were tickled pink when he told us that he planned to release his newest wine creation – this Rose – at our Spring Pop-Up Wine Shop in April. The crowd was WOWed! And we wanted to make sure that you got a bottle before it is all gone. Derek only made a small batch.
Winemaker’s Notes: A pale cherry skin colour with orange hues, the aromas and flavours are of wild strawberry and raspberry, a dry wine with a rich texture on the mid palate, a balanced acidity brings a mouth-watering finish with a red citrus note.
Suggested Food Pairing: Derek says it best: “This wine can also be enjoyed just by itself with good friends.”
Rosehall Run ‘Just One Rosé’ VQA 2017
$17.95
Prince Edward County
This blend of Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir (50/50) was a tasting panel favourite, and the excellent price point is a real bargain for such a quality wine. The Gamay was left on the skins for 24 hours, providing the pretty pink colour, and the Pinot was produced in the Saignée method, bleeding some of the juice from the tank.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: This is all about the strawberry flavours, but there’s candied orange, here too, leading to an expressive strawberry jam finish. But don’t be fooled: this is a bone-dry rosé, ready to wow the red wine drinking crowd.
Suggested Food Pairing: Serve this year, chilled, and pair with grilled ribs.
Two Sisters Vineyards Margo Rosé VQA 2017
Savvy Exclusive! $18.75 (regular $34.80)
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Two Sisters Vineyards continues to impress us with their fine wines. We were certainly intrigued with this wine when we saw the beautiful bottle… and each sip impressed us too!
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: A classy pink colour delivers classic aromas & tastes of a well-made Rose. Red berries, lime zest, watermelon and rhubarb in the taste with a weave of floral notes in the aromas. Bone dry in taste with a lingering finish. A class act!
Suggested Food Pairing: Great for a romantic picnic for two or to enjoy while the sun is setting with nibbles of plate of prosciutto & melon or grilled shrimp.
Westcott Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé VQA 2018
$22.95
Twenty Valley (Niagara)
And another family run winery! Like Keint-He, the Westcott family are making a range of wines focused on Chardonnay & Pinot Noir grapes. In the past years, their Rosé sold out in a matter of weeks. We are delighted to be the first to feature this ever-popular wine. This year, the wine is made using 100% Pinot Noir.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Aromatic, dry, and supple, there are loads of strawberries and mandarin notes, along with some racy acidity that makes it dry & refreshing. The bright watermelon pink of the wine is a visual treat, and it looks every bit as mouthwatering as it tastes!
Suggested Food Pairing: This would be delicious with BBQed salmon.
~ Rosé Recipe Box ~
A Spring & Summer favorite to enjoy with Rosé wines
Gorgonzola & Strawberry Canapés
From Food & Drink Magazine
Makes 24 canapés
Crisp, golden toasts are ideal for the bold, herb flavour of the Gorgonzola. A fruity and colourful topping of strawberries or grapes makes this an enjoyable fresh canapé, perfect for summer entertaining.
Ingredients
6 slices bakery white sandwich bread
2 Tbsp (25 mL) unsalted butter, melted
Freshly ground black pepper
6 oz (175 g) Gorgonzola cheese, softened
3 Tbsp (45 mL) whipping cream
2 Tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh basil
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh thyme
¼ cup (50 mL) chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
12 small strawberries, sliced or 6 each seedless red and green grapes, quartered
Method
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Trim crusts off bread and cut each slice into 4 squares. Brush with butter and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with pepper.
Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely.
Using electric hand mixer, beat Gorgonzola, cream, basil and thyme together until very smooth. Spread evenly on toasts. Sprinkle each with walnuts. Top each toast with strawberry slices or 1 of each grape quarter.
Have your fridge full of Rosé wines all summer long…
Always have refreshing Rosé wines on hand this summer! To order additional bottles of your new found favorite Rosés from this assortment OR to receive next month’s assortment (we are calling them Deck Party Packs), call your friends at Savvy on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or order online at savvycompany.ca/rose.
The June assortment of wines will have a completely different selection of hard-to-find Rosé wines including:
Closson Chase Winery Rose VQA 2018 – from Prince Edward County
Creekside Estate Winery Rose VQA 2017 – from Niagara
Di Profio Estate Wines Gamay Rose VQA 2017 – from Niagara
Di Profio Estate Wines Sparkling Rosie VQA 2016 – from Niagara
GreenLane Estate Winery Rose VQA 2017 – from Niagara
Queenston Mile Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose VQA 2017 – from Niagara
Price for June’s assortment:
$133 for 6 bottles
~ OR ~
$226 for 12 bottles (2 of each of the featured wines).
Deadline to order June’s parcel is Saturday, June 9th.
Call the Savvy Team on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or order online savvycompany.ca/rose.