Rosé: Touraine Rose “Les Cabotines” 2008
This is a marvelously stylish pink wine from the Loire Valley produced by Joel Delaunay. Gamay, of course is well known as the grape of Beaujolais, though with a strong foothold in the Loire Valley as well. Pineau d'Aunis, however, is as resolutely a local grape as can be imagined, being grown nowhere else to our knowledge. When red, it is curiously pale, with a powerfully earthy, almost musty flavor that is not to everyone's taste. But as a rose it makes a much more "normal" wine, especially when co-fermented with Gamay, as it is here.
What differentiates this wine fro the sea of southern roses that dominate the market is its coral color, zingy nose and fresh, tangy flavor. Good Loire wines always seem to be clearer in their earthy expression than others, and this is no exception. Relatively light in alcohol' it is a suave, sprightly and simply delicious rose.
To order, click here: Bottle ($16.00), Case ($153.60 - 20% off!).
