New World Rosés
Rosés from countries such as the US, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand tend to be more fruit-forward than their old-world cousins. Fruit emanates from the glass of a new-world Rosé, dry or sweet. Rosés are made either by blending white wine with red, or by allowing red grapes to make minimal contact with the skins (White vs. Red Zinfandel).
Both dry Rosés and blush wines complement mild cheeses such as Muenster, Montery Jack,Edam, and fresh cheeses.
Bluebonnet Blush It tastes and looks a lot like White Zinfandel. $8.99 a bottle at Grapevine. Non Vintage. I buy this for my mother because she loves Bluebonnet flowers. I thought the flowers on the label were bluebonnets, but no, it is a Spicebush, for which the wine is named. Spicebush grows along the banks of the nearby Cypress Creek in the Texas Hill Country. The bottle does not list alcohol content, but I assume it is very low. This wine is fermented in stainless steel. It is supposed to be good for summertime. Well-balanced, fruity, and lightly sweet with apricot flavors of their Chardonnay plus spicy notes of Cabernet Franc. 3% sugar. It can go with light food or as a dessert wine with fresh fruit desserts. This is always a crowd-pleaser because it is so pretty and flavorful.
Verdad 2002 (Tasted in 2003) From the Central Coast of California. $13.99 at Grapevine. 12.5% alcohol. 95% Grenache and 5% Tempranillo. It is supposed to have aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, heart of watermelon, and spice. Crisp, zesty finish. It is supposed to be good with grilled meats, seafood, salads, and cheese. It is supposed to be a traditional Spanish style Rosado. Dry rosé. Lush and vibrant. The mouth feel is creamy. I bought this for Thanksgiving to go with some Spanish cheeses. Floral, mineral, dry, maybe peaches, bitter finish.
Verdad with Bleu de Basque. Great cheese, great wine -- awful together! The cheese tastes like BBQ (which is good), but it is too bitter with the wine. The wine is way too tart for this cheese.
Verdad and Capri smoked goat. Great! The frothy cheese makes the wine taste fruitier and it makes it feel frizzante in my mouth. I lose a little of the hickory flavor, though. It blends well. No bitterness.