June 21: Summer's here - time for Rosato!
Summer Solstice
The longest day, the shortest night & a cool glass of Rosato!
June 21st is the summer solstice: the longest day and shortest night of the year! So, it's officially and truly summer! And what could be better for such an important event than a cool glass of Rosato? I'd say: Niente! How perfect that the fresh Rosati have just arrived!
Rosé, Rosado, or Rosato – whatever these pink wines from around the world are called – one thing is for sure: pink is totally in! How lucky that just in time for the summer solstice, the start of summer, the fresh 2018 Rosati vintage from all "my" winemakers has arrived! After all, six of "my" winemakers already have a Rosato in their selection:
Il Palagio di Panzano Aldemara Rosato Toscana IGT
Since the 2017 vintage, Azienda Agricola Il Palagio di Panzano has also been producing a Rosato. It's made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes that come from a south-facing vineyard in the Conca d'Oro, the Golden Valley. The aroma of sweet cherries and red berries with a hint of white blossoms makes you crave summer. And the name Aldemara? Monia Piccini, owner of Il Palagio, dedicated this wine to her grandmother Aldemara – her "Nonna" is even on the label.
2018 Rosati have arrived at the NinainChianti.com shop
Le Cinciole Rosato Toscana IGT
Le Cinciole's Rosato is also a 100% pink Sangiovese summer delight. Right after harvest, the grapes are vinified using the "white wine method": after just 12 hours of skin contact, the must is processed further. Fermentation and aging happen in stainless steel tanks. In the spring after harvest, the Rosato is finally bottled during a waning moon. Just in time before summer kicks off! The fact that this Rosato is a truly special treat to drink is proven by the super high rating of 91 out of 100 possible points for a Rosato from American wine critic Antonio Galloni on his wine platform Vinous, and the fact that Le Cinciole's Rosato is also listed in the Slow Food Guide "I migliori 100 vini rosa d'Italia."
Le Fonti Panzano Rosato IGT
Le Fonti's Rosato is made from 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot, and it really stands out with its vibrant rosé color and super fruity taste. It gets this from the so-called "Saignée method": "Saigner" means "to bleed" in French, and "saignée" means "bled off." In other words: during red wine production, 10 to 20 percent of the must is drawn off without prior pressing. After a two to three-week secondary fermentation, the Rosato ages for another two to three months in stainless steel tanks before being bottled in the spring.
Poggio al Sole Primavera Rosato Toscana IGT
With its delicate salmon pink color, the Primavera definitely makes you crave warm weather, sunshine, and spring. Because "Primavera" means spring, right? And that's exactly how Poggio al Sole's Rosato tastes: fruity, fresh with a floral touch and soft tannins that give your palate a pleasant tingle. Oh, and by the way: this Rosato is also 100% Sangiovese.
Rocca di Montegrossi Rosato Toscana IGT
Rocca di Montegrossi's Rosato Toscana IGT is a true Chianti Classico: it's made exclusively from the native Sangiovese grape variety and shows a salmon and cherry red color in the glass, somewhere between the shades of Marco Ricasoli's Rosato. On the nose, it charms with a real fruit basket: from strawberries and raspberries to cherries, peaches, pink grapefruits, rhubarb, and lychee. Enjoyed well chilled, it's fresh, juicy, easy-drinking, with lots of fruity flavors on the palate too. This explosion of flavors was also recently rated 91 out of 100 points by wine critic Antonio Galloni on his wine platform Vinous!
Fattoria di Rignana Rosato Toscana IGT
Fattoria di Rignana's Rosato is the wine that embodies the motto: "Viva la vita!" Because this wine is fresh, lively, and light. With a wonderfully fruity aroma, without being sweet – featuring fruity notes of raspberries, strawberries, and cherries. The Rignana Rosato is also made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes. By the way: you can also get this super enjoyable wine in a maxi-size 1.5-liter magnum bottle.
So, there's not much left for me to say. Except maybe that you should always enjoy a Rosato well chilled. Then it's perfect as an aperitif. But it's also a fantastic food companion – for example, with dishes featuring cream cheese or smoked fish. And of course, you can also just enjoy a bottle of Rosato on its own: for example, to toast with friends to the longest day of the year and the start of summer. Well then: Hello summer! Hello, Rosato! And "Salute"!