This Valentine’s Day, there is no better wine to celebrate with than a bottle of bubbly. But not just any sparkling wine. For the day named in honor of St. Valentine, one should chose a special wine that adds color as well as style for this year’s day of love. Sparkling rosés are just what Cupid ordered.
Rosé wines are not a specific varietal, but rather they are a style of wine that generally ranges in color from soft pink to light purple, depending on which grapes are used and the winemaking technique employed. Traditional red wines get their color from lengthy contact between the juice and the red grape skins. One of the most popular methods for making rosé is saignee — which literally means “bleeding” — where the grape juices are bled away from the skins soon after the grapes are crushed. The longer that the skins are left in contact with the juice, the darker the wine will become.
Many different wine grapes lend themselves to rosé production. The most popular is pinot noir, but I have enjoyed sparkling rosé wines made from varietals including grenache, syrah, sangiovese and even malbec. The qualities I look for in a rosé wine are fresh red fruits flavors, (running along the lines of strawberry and raspberry), crispness and acidity.
Sparkling rosé wines can be found in just about every wine grape growing in the world. Best of all, many sparkling rosés are a relative bargain and can be found in plentiful supply. Retail prices are approximate.
One of the best values for a sparkling rosé is the Non-vintage Cristalino Brut Rosé Cava ($8) from Spain. Made from roughly equal parts pinot noir and trepat (a grape varietal indigenous to the region), it sports beautiful scents of wild red berries and cherry on the nose. Fresh, clean strawberry and cherry flavors are light and bright in the mouth, with just a touch of ginger on the crisp, clean finish. QPR 6.5
The Piedmont region of Italy is best known for their prized barolo and barbaresco wines, but it is also home to the Non-vintage Banfi Rosa Regale ($19). Made from the brachetto grape, the wine displays vibrant scents of floral notes, such as rose petals and violets on the nose. Flavors of raspberries and red strawberries are supported by a slightly sweet frame. QPR 7
Champagne is not the only part of France to produce sparkling wines. The Non-vintage Chevalier Rosé Cremant Bourgogne ($20) hails from the renowned Burgundy region, where chardonnay and pinot noir grapes are used to produce a delicately fresh wine, with refreshing scents of red fruit aromas on the nose. Flavors of strawberry, red currant and nectarine are supported by tiny, delicate bubbles. The creamy texture is in balance with pleasant acidity. QPR 8.5
If you want a domestic sparkler with a champagne pedigree, try the Non-vintage Roederer Estate Brut Rosé ($27) from Anderson Valley, Calif. The cool climate of Anderson Valley is ideal for growing the chardonnay and pinot noir grapes used in this lively rosé. Pretty red fruit aromas of summer raspberries, red currants and cherries are repeated on the equally fruit-driven palate, ending with notes of brioche on the balanced finish. QPR 8.5
For a special treat, pop open a bottle of Non-vintage Jacquart Rosé ($40), an authentic champagne from Reims, France. The nose is wonderfully fruity, featuring strawberry and dark cherry notes. The mouthfeel is elegant and refined, where finely tuned bubbles carry flavors of cherry, raspberry and grenadine over the entire palate. The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing. QPR 9
Note: QPR is a rating system that compares the quality a wine delivers relative to the price. A QPR of 10 is considered an excellent value.
