By Duane Pemberton
The 4th of July here in America invokes visions of grilled burgers, hot-dogs and fried chicken. Toss in the obligatory sides of potato-salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, watermelon and other goodies – you have the makings for a natural pairing with Rose’ wine. Here are a three of my picks for this weekend – they are made in the good ol’ USA and also all happen to be from California.
2009 “Crusher” Rose by Don Sebastini & Sons – W.E.P. 120%
Technical Data:
- Blend: 83% Pinot Noir, 13% Viognier, 4% Malbec
- ph: 3.65
- TA: 52/100ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Price: $14
Nose: Cherries, watermelon, cranberry, red twizzlers, bubble-gum and white pepper.
Taste: Nice melon action up-front that has stellar notes of watermelon, honeydew and cantelope along with a hint of white pepper. Good mid-palate that brings in an almost bubbly-like aspect. The finish is nice and long – I’d easily hit this with pretty much ANY summertime-fare.
2009 Foppiano Estate Rose – W.E.P. 80%
Technical Data:
- Varietal Composition: 55% Petite Sirah, 45% Pinot Noir
- Appellation: Russian River
- Harvest Date: Pinot- Sept 1 Petite Sirah- Oct. 12
- Acid: 0.65g/100mL
- PH: 3.36
- Bottling Date: April 8, 2010
- Alcohol %: 14.2%
- Price: $15
Nose: Prosciutto-wrapped melon, candied cherries, rhubarb pie and white pepper.
Taste: Strawberries, melon, white pepper and some nice jelly-bean-like flavors coming through for me. Decent mid-palate transition and mouth-feel, however, the finish is a bit too hot for me.
2009 Pedroncelli Dry Rose of Zinfandel – W.E.P. 120%
Technical Data:
- Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
- Composition: 100% Zinfandel
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Acidity: .600g/100ml
- pH: 3.53
- Residual Sugar: 0.14%
- Price: $10
Nose: Big-time hot-dog smell coming through along with strawberries, raisins, sweaty sock, cranberries and spice.
Taste: Good amounts of strawberry, cherries, raspberries, anise and spice. Mid palate brings in some Oscar-Mayer action with flavors of rhubarb, white pepper and bubble-gum. Good, dry finish that makes this an easy pick for $10.
