If you are one of the four hundred guests who are going to this year’s Rose Revolution, then you are perhaps a little more spoilt for choice than last year. The trade tasting event, held one day before the public event, featured all the wines that are available on 14 May. After tasted all these, this is my punter’s guide to Rose Revolution 2016.
This is 2016 and people are still bashing up rosé for being uncharacteristic wines. I can understand. That sense of being deceived and cheated, let down by lean boring wines from places, which people are led to believe, are the best production regions for rosé wines in the world. Again, and again. Such mythical great regions do exist, but they show the best only with the most able hands. So, don’t give up on rosé just yet.
Before you embark all the Rosé Revolution adventure, remember that liked all wine events, there are bound to have hits and misses. So if you read this article ahead of (or during) the tasting, then I hope the following wines will prove that the ticket you have is well worth the money. So in no order of preference, these are what I will put my money on.
Mas De Daumas Gassac Rosé Frizant 2015
People familiar with Languedoc region will certainly recognise this label. From one of the top winery, here we have notes of crushed red fruits and an undernote of floral fragrance. Almost creamy with its bubbles, the residual sweetness was well-balanced with fresh acidity leaving a lingering finish. Who says a rosé must be lean?
Chateau de Berne Terres de Berne 2015
From Provence, Terres de Berne came across with a cranberry-like expression, while showing hawthorn and peach on the palate. Considerably complex for a rosé that might look less than appealing with its light salmon-pink hue.
Domaine du Petit Chaumont Gris de Gris 2015
Dense fruit profile of strawberries along aroma of fresh red-apple likeness. A light grip and slightly chewy texture, giving it profound tactile sensation seldom met in rosé wines.
Triennes 2015
This wine came in a magnum bottle, twice the size, which made me wonder why the extra effort to bring a big bottle. But soon my curiosity changed to gratitude as this ranked as the best rosé I tasted in the afternoon. A wildly expressive fruit aroma that gave impressions of strawberries sweetness, cranberry sourness, before adding a touch of incense-like smoke A final sour candy taste on the finish completed the experience.
Eddie McDougall Little Pig Rosé 2014
I added this wine into the list not because Eddie McDougall was the winemaker. But the wild berries perfume I got from this ruby pink wine was something I cannot ignore. A full and generous mouthfeel with cranberry driving through the palate, that was before it ended with a strong lifted sensation. Difficult to get tired of this wine.
L’Impossible 2015
The only thing impossible is consuming too little of it. Herbs and strawberries with a seemingly off-dry sensation supported by light tangy acidity was both appetizing and fulfilling. I can’t decide if I should eat or drink after this.
Vino Loho Natura Rosé
I want to give this wine a special mention. Made in the natural wine style, avoiding use of sulphur dioxide, this wine showed aroma of orange blossom before revealing a slight oxidative note. Palate was on the sweeter side, although the delightful acidity left an impression of apple soda. Like it or not, you decide.
Picture by Jessica Tan.
