Everything’s Okay as Long as There is Sparkling Rosé

 

As my dreams of hiking were once again washed down the drain by this ceaseless rain, I was delighted that my best friend still wanted to get together. Trading in the smell of fresh mountain air for a delicious wine flight at Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland, CO, I soaked in the moment while sipping their stellar 2019 Rosé Sparkling. Here I was, cozily tucked into a beautiful tasting room, chatting it up with one of my favorite people in the world, while the bubbles of this wonderful wine danced on my tongue. Glancing down at this beautiful concoction that brought me such joy, it dawned on me that everything’s okay as long as there is sparkling rosé.

               As wine styles go, I have never been a huge fan of champagne/sparkling wines or still rosés. I have had exceptional quaffs of each including the Palmer & Co. Brut Réserve Champagne, Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne, Hampton Water Rosé 2019, and every vintage of Blue Mountain Vineyards’ Marquette Blush, but my excitement level of trying these wine styles was typically low. That was until a fateful day in August 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota.

               When thinking of Sturgis, images of bikers and whiskey come to mind, not wine that will blow your mind. Belle Joli Winery Sparkling House, located in Sturgis, proves you should never judge a book by its cover. En route to Hill City, my husband and I made a short stop at the tasting room so I could try some of the sparkling and other wines only offered at this location. I love this winery and had hoped for a decent sparkler, but I never expected to fall in love. Their Rosé Vintage Demi Sec was incredible with its notes of red plum and mixture of exotic and baking spices, and I quickly purchased not one, but two bottles. When opening one of the bottles with my mom that Thanksgiving, and once again being rocked by its amazing flavor, I started to think back to my previous sparkling wine drinking endeavors and saw a trend. My last two favorites in this category were both sparkling rosés, the Heath Sparkling Wines Adoration 2018 and the Poema Cava Brut Rosé. It was time to further my exploration of this scrumptious pink concoction.

               Found in most countries throughout the wine world, a sparkling rosé can be made in all the common ways. A still rosé wine can be created by letting black grape skins have limited contact to the juice during maceration (the time in which the grape skins are soaked in the juice), or during red wine production some of the juice can be bled off the grape skins after a short period of contact, or a red and white wine can be blended. The still wine then goes through a second fermentation, typically in the bottle or a tank, to create those glorious bubbles. Although notes vary depending on all the usual factors – grape varieties used, climate temperature, locale, wine making techniques, etc. - a sparkling rosé tends to have notes of red fruits and berries to go along with the typical yeasty notes of a classic sparkling wine. It’s also signified by its pretty color that can range anywhere from a pale rose gold to a deeper red hue. It’s all of these factors, along with those glorious bubbles and the fact that it is a great accompaniment to so many foods, that makes me love these wines.

               Since that Sturgis day, I have kept that vow to pursue more and more pink sparklers. After much “research” I can say that this wine category is a winner. It goes well with food, it’s a perfect sipper for both the patio or bath, popping the cork on one these bottles can aid in any celebration, and its cheery color and notes can brighten any day. I also like the fact that its styles can range from sweet to dry, giving every taste preference out there an opportunity to enjoy. Some of my current favorites include the aforementioned options from both Belle Joli and Sweet Heart, the Valerie Hill Vineyard and Winery NV Sparkling Rosé, and the Aspen Peak Cuvée Rosé. I also have others in my cellar I am excited to try for the first time or rediscover.

 Discovering a new grape variety or region is always an exciting adventure, and I have loved my trek into the world of these happiness inducing pink beauties. Next time you are on the hunt for a new wine, I hope you will consider some pink bubbly because everything truly is okay, as long as there is sparkling rosé.




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