Love and Roses
In honor of February’s Saint Valentine, who was beheaded in Rome for helping Christians get married (yikes), we will celebrate the art and game of LOVE! In our modern world nothing says BE MINE like Roses. So I have busted out all the rose flower and love themed wines: two Italian rose’s, a French inspired Oregon Gewurztraminer!, a Spanish Grenache, and a Cali Cab. Come and enjoy the wines, feel the love, and take home a basket of Rose's....
Morini, “MoRose” Centesimino Spumante, Ravhenna Emilio-Romana, Italy, NV, $21
This dry, rose sparkler has hints of wild strawberry, and a touch of lemon zest. We will find wonderful tiny bubbles, and scents of roses from the grape called Centesimino! This grape was believed to be descended from 1 vineyard discovered in the 1960’s!!
Ottella, “Roses Roses”, San Benedetto di Lugana, Italy, 2015 $16
“In Fair Verona, where we lay our scene. But Soft, What light through yonder window breaks?” We stay in Italy for our second wine. Just outside Verona, where we will find the literary remains of Romeo and Juliet. This still rosé is the color of a blushing cheek. Look for soft white peach aroma filled in with a raspberry jam background. The finish evokes a fine slate/mineral aspect. Give me a straw and some sunshine. Well, forget the straw……
Ovum, “Since I Fell for You” Gewürztraminer, Rouge Valley, OR 2015 $30
This bone dry and aromatic wine is perfumed and styled with Old World elegance. Ovum specializes in Alsace, France styled wines. It avoids the sometimes off-putting, cloying perfume of the grape, suggesting instead more tangy fruit and a dry finish It was fermented in neutral wood with native yeasts and left on the lees for nine months. Flavors of plum, strawberry and warm spices. Look for rose bush aromas!!
Nada Giuseppe, Langhe Rosso, Piedmont Italy, 2015 $20 (rose on the label)
The color is ruby red with orange reflections. The bouquet has scents of red fruit, floral and with delicate notes of oak. Iris, violet, steeped cherry, bramble aromas come together in the glass. The chewy, succulent palate offers red cherry, raspberry, aromatic herb and star anise while firm, but refined tannins provide backbone and a velvety mouthfeel.
Lucas & Lewellen, “Queen of Hearts” Cab Sauv, Santa Barbara, CA 2012 $16
The grapes for this wine were grown in the Valley View Vineyard not far from the Danish village of Solvang! 100% Cab. This wine is a blend of several small batches. Each lot is carefully nurtured in the barrel for nearly two years, then estate bottled. This vintage has aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and cola with smooth flavors of plum, strawberry and warm spices.
Arthur O’Conner, LO-VE Garnache, Spain, 2015 $ 18
The style showcases the beautiful floral aromas of Garnacha. The wine offers a luxurious richness without overwhelming. It is powerful, but the alcohol is calm. Masculine and feminine qualities dance together in balance, each a compliment to the other.
Now that’s LO-VE….