Some Like Them Pink!
Up until 1973, when Bob Trinchero of California�s Sutter Home winery, invented Sutter Home White Zinfandel (+454355) $7.99, the standards for ros�s were defined by wines like Mateus Ros� (+166) $9.49 from Portugal.  A little fizzy, a touch sweet, these were (and still are) not far from being really fruity and full-bodied whites.  With his White Zinfandel, Trinchero took out the fizz.
Despite the fact that the many dry ros�s that have been made in the South of France for centuries, particularly in Provence, have always been acknowledged as being far more sophisticated sippers, they have fallen out of favour.  What a pity!
New varietal ros�s like Banrock Station White Shiraz (+110882) $10.99 continue to pop out of the barrel to challenge White Zinfandel�s supremacy.  Those cunning Australians never miss a trick.  If sweetness is your deciding criteria in fine wine, then you will love this strawberry cream soda confection.

Unlike Banrock's new White Shiraz most ros�s are blends of different grapes.  Some ros�s are blends of finished white and red wines. In practice, in the wine cellars of the world, they are made from almost everything and anything that the winemaker has on hand to play with.

Often overlooked in the Spanish section of your neighbourhood wine store, because it isn�t red and it is most definitely unexpected Bodegas Nekeas Rosado (+56515) $12.32 is a melange of juicy red berry fruit flavours, highlighted by a twist of something minty and herbal over a sturdy, almost chalky mineral core. A half and half blend of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has the weight and body to stand alone as well as complement most any food you chose to serve with it.  Think salmon!

Here in British Columbia, there�s an astounding variety of home-grown ros�s available locally. Domaine Combret VQA Cabernet Ros� (+556340) $12.90, made by a winemaker with a French heritage, is lightly pink, almost the colour of salmon.  A host of raisin-y fruit flavours compete vibrantly for recognition, here.
Italy chimes into the fruity fray with Bardolino Chiaretto Classico (+396572) $13.40 a bright busy blend of 50% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, 10% Sangiovese that is not at all unlike a spritzy and extremely light Valpolicella.  Look for flowery violet aromas and bright ripe cherry flavours over a twist of white pepper.


Another unique offering - from British Columbia�s northern Okanagan Valley - Gray Monk VQA Rotberger (+321620) $13.49 is about as pretty as wine can be, both in colour and flavour.
Raspberries, cherries and cranberries all jostle for flavour dominance in your glass and in your mouth.  Nothing bashful about this blushing party animal of a wine.  Take it to your next deck party.


Not all ros�s, however, are rowdy.  France specializes in ros�s like Domaine le Grand Cros  - Esprit de Provence (+25460) $16.95.  Wild strawberries and subtle hints of spice and rich vanilla malt set this wine apart from the blushing pink herd of carnival pony ros�s.  Old vine Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache add to the intensity of flavour.

Not to far from there Chateau Silex �loge (+110841) $16.99 from France�s Costi�res de N�mes is also more of a thoughtful and deliberate ros� made from 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Cinsault.  Nicely built with some �weight� this could be thought of as a very full-bodied dry white wine.
Looking for something special? Something local?  Dessert in a glass?

Adventurous winelovers will be intrigued by BC's own Paradise Ranch VQA Late Harvest Merlot (+34) $30.27 to finish off an evening in style.  Lusciously sweet and sassy, like sipping on raspberry jam, this affordable alternative to Ice Wine comes in a beautiful bear-embossed bottle that has helped put these dessert wine specialists on the edge.
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