It’s Time for Rosé

by Russ Kane, wine writer, blogger and aficionado
www.vintagetexas.com

I don’t have to tell you, but things are heating up around the state of Texas. It’s the time of year to explore your options for a refreshing quaff for your summertime party aperitif, poolside sip or a pleasing partner for lighter summertime culinary fare. Here are two wines that will soothe your summertime psyche and please your guests:

Messina Hof Sophia Marie Rosé 2010

Pink with a crimson hue, this wine displays a pleasurable take on what’s now available from Texas Gulf Coast wine growing. This wine is young, excitingly crisp, and presents a nearly imperceptible hint of sweetness. It is made from hand-harvested Lenoir, a grape with a 150-year heritage in Texas. Bright red fruits, cherry and cranberry, will titillate your palate one-on-one and also complement summertime seafood, cheeses, pasta and fruit. The name commemorates the birth of winery owners Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo’s first grandchild, Sophia Marie.

Becker Vineyards Provençal (pronounced Proven-sal) 2009

This wine was a favorite of mine when it was released in mid-2010 and it seems to have reached an even loftier place on my palate this summer. It provides a beautiful salmon pink in the glass and a memory of the French Cote d’Or in my mind. Provençal is made from Mason County Mourvedre grapes with limited skin contact. Its aroma and taste meld to yield floral accents followed by pear and strawberry notes amenable to seaside sipping and summertime wine and food pairing. Find it while it’s still in the marketplace or wait for the soon to be released 2010 vintage in mid-summer.

To find a Texas winery, click here for an interactive map.

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Russ Kane has covered activities in the Texas wine industry for over a decade with articles in selected local and regional publications. He blogs regularly at www.vintagetexas.com/blog where he describes his travels around Texas, associated meet-ups, and wine tasting experiences. His book The Wineslinger Chronicles is scheduled for release Spring 2012.

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