I was going to post this right after Rhône Rangers in San Francisco, but decided it’s really just as much a preparation for Hospice du Rhône – especially for the Rosé lunch on Friday:
Rosé Lunch
Date: Friday, April 27, 2012
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 (advance purchase is required)
Friday’s lunch has always celebrated pink wines and for the 20th year we will continue to toast these beauties. Don your best pink attire as we raise our glasses to the vast variety of Rosé wines that have traveled far and wide to be with us for the 2012 revelry. To highlight these lovely pink quaffers, Chef John Toulze of the girl & the fig from Sonoma, California will return to delight guests with Rhône inspired cuisine. The Rosé wines will be provided by the attending producers at the 2012 event.
(Question for someone who’s gone to this event before – do people really “don pink attire”? Because I’m going to have to buy something if that’s the case.)
Anyway, here’s a summary of my pink favorites from Rhône Rangers – I’m looking forward to drinking and discovering lots more next weekend!
Tablas Creek Rosé 2011 (Paso Robles, CA)
Always a favorite of mine, the 2011 is delicious. A traditional Southern Rhône blend of 58% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 12% Counoise – these grapes come from an organically-farmed vineyard, and are fermented using native yeast. Surprisingly high alcohol at 14.5%. Watermelon, plum, red berries on the nose. All that and a bit of spice on the palate. Nice and dry, it’s a very food-friendly wine.
Quivira 2001 Rosé Wine (North Coast, CA)
51% Mourvedre, 18% Carignane, 18% Counoise, 7% Grenache, 6% Syrah. 13% alcohol. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, then the wine spends a short period in neutral French oak before bottling. Berries and orange zest on the nose, cherry-berry and spice on the palate.
Quady North 2011 Rosé (Rogue Valley, OR)
60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. Bright with lots of fruit. Dry and crisp, with citrus, stone fruit and watermelon on the palate. This is the kind of wine I like to sip on a hot day.
Proulx Willow Creek Farm Rosé (Paso Robles, CA)
Dry, with strawberries on the nose.
(It’s not listed on their website, and I failed to take detailed notes. To be updated later….)
Finally, this post is a celebration of today’s scorching hot San Francisco Saturday. Three guesses what’s in my glass….
Surprise!
