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Cool wines to try at home and around town.
At home
Elyse 2008 Rosé California — $15.49
Almost a dozen grapes are thrown into the vat to make Elyse, including Grenache, Mouvedre, Syrah, Carignan and more. It reminds you of a rosé from the Tavel area of France — crisp, dry and uplifting with flavors of raspberries, strawberries and ripe plums. Always serve rosé chilled. It is wonderful with food but can easily be served on its own.
Chateau St. Martin de la Garrigue, Tradition 2008 (Cinsault grape/Syrah/Grenache) — $12.99
Tart cherries meet ripe cranberries in this delightful French rosé. It is the French who made rosé famous with their rosés from Tavel in the Rhone Valley. This is very dry, and with each sip, your palate is left cleansed and ready for more. My first French rosé was in France, with a French couple, over a large platter of moules (mussels). When wine and food join in perfect harmony, you have achieved great success with your pairing. Voila.
Out on the town
LXi
Za-Za Garnacha Rose 2007, Campo Borja, Spain — 3-ounce taste, $3; full glass, $6; bottle, $23
You’ll go ga-ga over the Za-Za. Sommelier Tyler Mirt has long been a fan of rosés. He has seen sales of rosés increase in our area as people become more educated about the wine. He feels it is losing its image as a new drinker’s beverage, as more and more sophisticated drinkers are requesting rosé with almost every small plate on his menu.
The Za-Za is medium-bodied and similar in style to a Pinot Noir. It has lots of cherry fruit flavors and a backbone of lemon zest.
KingsPointe Village, 5982-A S. Yale Ave., 340-5240
Stonehorse Café
Frog’s Leap Rosé “Pink” 2008 La Grenouille Rougante (Gamay grape) — glass, $9; bottle, $36
J.C. Tipton, one of my favorite Tulsa bartenders, says Frog’s Leap rosé is one of the best rosés he has recently tasted.
“It’s very unpretentious and the perfect summer-fall wine,” he says. “You always want your rosés young and fresh. The fresher, the better. Not everyone understands rosé, thinking it’s like soda pop. But once you start tasting dry rosés, you’ll never look back.”
1748 Utica Square, 712-7470
