It’s Taco Time! Lately I’ve been obsessed with tacos… any style, any time of day. In fact, tacos are my latest “go-to” dish, one that has replaced my years-long fish and chips fetish. Whereas fish and chips are fried and relatively easy to pair with wine (sparkling wine, of course!), tacos are made in a variety of styles and exude a plethora of flavors thanks to an unlimited choice of ingredients. Street tacos! Tacos with plenty of spice! Tacos loaded with vegetables, cheese, chicken, pork or red meat…! Nirvana!
Now for the important question. Of all the choices, which wine should we open? The easy answer? An elegant, dry rosé! Going forward, take the guesswork out of pairing your next taco with wine by pouring any of the five rosé wines
sent as samples and reviewed below. Enjoy!
2020 DAOU Discovery Collection Rosé ($24), from Paso Robles, California, was inspired by the rosés of France. A blend of 95% Grenache Noir and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, intense aromas of nectarine peel, stone fruit such as peaches, dried apricot and juicy pears along with yellow and red florals wafted from the glass. Flavors of melon, lemon and tangerine zest, vanilla and cherries were elegant and chic and led to a lengthy finish. Sip this glorious rosé and enjoy a flavorful vegetarian taco on a patio as you dream of sweeping views of the mountains. You’ll be inspired, too.
From the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is
2020 Endless Crush OGV Rosé of Pinot Noir ($38), one of several wines produced by Inman Family Wines in Santa Rosa, California. The rosé was made from organically farmed Olivet Grange fruit and is a gorgeous pale pink color that’s just as crisp as it is refreshing. Reminding me of a classic Provencal rosé, I found aromas and flavors of strawberries, red melon, pink grapefruit and subtle spice. Potentially just as addictive as my taco infatuation, find this wine now and enjoy with a taco laden with pulled pork and vegetables.
Pale pink colors, vibrant acidity and fruit forward flavors are found in
Planeta Rosé 2020 ($20). From Sicily, this blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah offer lovely aromas of fresh, just-picked raspberries, red rose petals, hint of spice and herbs, and breezy salinity. On the palate, snappy acidity and red berries led to a lingering, satisfying finish. After harvest, the grapes were destemmed then pressed lightly before a one to two-hour maceration in order to extract the desired color and flavor. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and the result is a refreshing rosé, Sicilian style. Pair with a shrimp taco as you plan your next trip to Sicily.
Seafood tacos with sips of this beauty from Jean Luc Colombo? Mai oui! Open a bottle of
Jean Luc Colombo 2019 La Dame du Rouet Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Cinsault, 20% Grenache and indulge. The Côte Bleue is just west of Marseille and is the spot where Jean-Luc sailed in the surrounding waters since childhood. Freshness and snappy acidity are elements in this delicate, fruit filled wine. Crisp and elegant, yet with depth in body and complexity, I found notes of crushed raspberries, red currants, mint and typical French garrigue herbs such as rosemary and thyme.
Valdo Marco Oro Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut 2019 ($15.99) is from Valdo, a winery in Veneto and founded in 1926 – it was purchased by the Bolla Family in 1938. With over 90 years of innovation and search for quality, tradition and respect for the land, Valdo is considered by many “as one of the leading and most trusted Italian wineries specializing in Prosecco and sparkling wines.” Now it’s up to you to taste… with your spicy chicken taco, perhaps? The Prosecco Rosé is of 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Noir cultivated in vineyards of alluvial and clay soils. Pretty in pink with plenty of bubbles and aromas and delicate flavors of juicy pears, apples and raspberries, this wine was deliciously memorable.
You love rosé with tacos as much as I do? Let me know your choices! Email me (cindy@grape-experiences.com) or leave a comment after the article.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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