Once upon a time, not so many years ago, only red wine was considered a "real wine". White wine - or worse, pink - was hess not to mention. Assigned due to revulsion. The truth is, the quality of these wines, certainly the pinks, was shocking by any standard. They were made from leftover grapes, and sometimes mixed red wine with white. "Grenache Smock" they called it, even if there was no connection between the grape variety from which they were made and they were mainly used as a "spritz" - wine mixed with soda that immigrants from Romania and Hungary brought from their home country. Well, Shavin.
But that was once. In recent years, the quality of pink wines has soared dramatically, and we have learned to appreciate them and their properties. In sales figures, the rosé category has been starring and showing for several consecutive years the highest growth of all types of wine, in Israel and worldwide. This is no longer a trend or a passing fad, but a real change in consumption habits.
In fact, this wine has everything you need for it to truly become a bestseller – captivating aromas, light and pleasant flavors, gorgeous color and a strong freshness that we all crave when our planet heats up.
By the way, the wine gets the color by soaking the grape skins in the squeezed juice, meaning that the winemaker has full control over the final shade. Thus, after years in which the audience preferred a bright and powerful pink wine, in recent years the unequivocal choice has been a paler, almost transparent shade customary in Provence wines, created by the almost immediate separation of the grape skins from the juice. Yes - wine also has a fashion statement.
Wine barrels, photo: Gettyimages
The supply and quality improve from year to year, and today you see on the shelves not only proud Israeli produce, but also quite a few wineries and prestigious wine producers from abroad who choose to produce strictly kosher rosé wines, including wine brands such as Brad Pitt's Mirabel, Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy's Chateau d'Estublone, the famous Chateau Rubin from Provence and many more.
Shavuot – the festival of harvest and firstfruits, which symbolizes late spring and the arrival of summer – is upon us, and the wonderful weather is no less a great reason to devote ourselves to these flushed wines, alongside the dairy and cheese foods, which have long become the Israeli hallmark of the holiday.
Out of the huge variety we found and tasted, we narrowed down and chose only the opening octet, but there are many more good ones on the shelves.
Rosa Gold Addition 2022, Barkan Wineries
Made from Malbec grapes, grown in Alma's vineyard in the Upper Galilee. It has an intense fuchsia pink color and aromas of strawberries and citrus, accompanied by subtle tropical touches, while the fruity line continues into the mouth (strawberry, pear and peach) and ends with good sourness. Great grind, the tasting surprise. 39 NIS
Forte 6, 2022 (Portugal)
Made at a winery near Lisbon from Castelao grapes (60%), Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) (20%) and Syrah (20%). It has an intense pink-orange hue and pleasant aromas of yellow peach, red fruit (raspberry) and subtle hints of blossoms. Accompanied by ripe apricot and cherry flavors. It's rosé that doesn't pretend to be too sophisticated, and as such - is simply an enjoyable wine. And great price too. 49 NIS
Rosa 2022, Galilee Mountains Winery
Great wine from the Upper Galilee, half made up of Syrah grapes, 38% Sangiovese and Grenache complement. The nose is very floral, combined with strawberry and white peach aromas. In a sip it is fresh, lemony and crunchy and very fun. Extremely low alcohol content (only 10%!), and the price is also a bomb. What else is needed? 65 NIS
The pink wines,
Rosa ECO 2022, Tavor Winery
A blend of Tempranio and Barbara from the vineyards of the winery on the Sirin Plateau. The grapes were harvested by hand early in the morning, and contact with the skins for only about two hours gave the wine a beautiful pale color. Each plot fermented separately, and the blend is made after a short stay on the sediment. The citrus aromas of red grapefruit alongside melon, and the mouth has a pleasant, crunchy mineral feeling with a particularly refreshing finish. Great. 84 NIS
Rosa 2022, Shiloh Winery
A wonderful summer edition from the winery, which is currently moving to its new permanent residence. The rosé before us was made from Grenache grapes (52%), tempranio that was harvested very early (39%) and a little Barbara (9%). Its color is bright and unapologetic, with magical aromas of strawberries and cherries, and a fruity, floral feeling that makes your mouth and heart feast. Elegantly made. 85 NIS
Talpiot Rosa 2022, La Forêt Blanche Winery
Made from Merlot grapes grown in the vineyards of the western Negev (Kerem Naveh, near the Egyptian border. Who would have believed...). Bruno, the winemaker of the winery, keeps the mosquito contact with the skins to a minimum, creating a wine with a pale and trendy salmon color and a tempting aroma of white peach, fresh coconut and wild strawberries. In a sip, it exudes fruitiness (blackberry) and flattery, aromatic, and most of all, it's really, really fun. 89 NIS
Drinking pink,
Roseblood Roseblood 2022,Chateau d'Estovlon (Provence)
The winery, which includes former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, dates back to the late 15th century and is not far from Arles in Provence. The wonderful rosé before us is made up of 50% Grenache, 45% Sensu and 5% Tibbon. Its color is pale and almost transparent, and the nose is expressive with notes of pomegranate and apricot. It is moderately mineral, with subtle flavors and refreshing sourness. Beauty of wine! 129 NIS
Rosa Sancerre 2022, J. de Villebois (Loire Valley)
Straight from Sancerre in the French Loire Valley we got this expressive rosé, installed purely from Pinot Noir grapes. It is accompanied by aromas of black cherries, strawberry jam and candies. On the palate it's more elegant, acidic and crispy, but the cherry fruitiness is also rich. Not cheap, but very impressive. 150 NIS
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