Tag Archives: Rosé

Our Top 9 Rosés

So many rosés, so little time. As always, we’ve done the dirty delicious work of tasting through hundreds of the season’s offerings to bring you the best of the bunch. Here’s our wine buyer Kate Miceli on why she chose the following 9, out of the 50+ we have in store, as the favorites this year. 

Mittelbach, Austria
The Mittelbach rosé is perfect for those who prefer a pronounced and bold style of wine.  Made from the Austrian red grape Zweigelt and loaded with flavors of dark cherries and muddled raspberries that finishes dry! So so great with BBQ. $17.99

Ameztoi Txakolina, Basque, Spain
A rosé from Basque Country in Spain!  This might be the most refreshing one of the season because it is bone-dry and super spritzy.  Pour it from higher than usual into your glass to incorporate extra bubbles and enjoy. $21.99 

Little Sheep, France
New to Bottles this year, this adorable bottle has been an instant hit. The wine tastes like ripe strawberries and pillow-y cotton candy – it’s so super fruity and ends with just a touch of delightful sweetness! $12.99

Commanderie de Peyrassol, Provence, France
Peyrassol has set the benchmark of style and quality for Provencal rosé. It’s classic, unpretentious, and is a good mix of flavors like ripe berries, sea breeze, and lemon! This is the OG pink wine. $21.99

Yes Way Rosé, France
Yes Way Rosé has pool party written all over it!  It tastes like watermelon rinds, lemons, and sunshine (says Dan)!  Dry and so refreshing.  If you love Whispering Angel, try this one too. $14.99 

Tempier, Bandol, France 
Let this wine transport you to the picturesque town of Bandol, set in the south of France in the Mediterranean Sea.  This is the treat of the summer that does not disappoint and will always impress!  Ask about our 1.5L mags, too. $47.99 

Steininger, Austria
One of the many rosés that people ask for more and more every year. I visited the winery in Austria earlier this year, and the family reveled in that this past warmer season was the best vintage they can remember in over 17 years.  Try this at least once, it’s delicious and looks oh so refreshing in the bottle when frosty cold. $19.99

#Lou Peyrassol, Provence, France
A big-time Bottles favorite because it works for every occasion, from a fire-escape picnic to a yacht-club gala.  Try this delicious entry-level wine from the very famous and beloved Peyrassol house. $14.99

Le Poussin, France
Another awesome value rosé from France that does not disappoint!  Great as a summer sipper… but also, are you trying to make Froze this year?  Use this as a base wine for those refreshing popsicles or slushes — it already tastes like ripe summer raspberries and strawberries. $11.99 

 Cheers to summer!
-Kate 

prices subject to change 
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Our Top Easter & Passover Wine Picks

They’re two of our region’s most celebrated holidays, two that we look forward to all year. And even if you don’t honor the traditional Easter or Passover rituals, there’s lots to toast to this weekend. Spring has sprung, and our markets are bursting with the new season’s first produce. Here’s what our team recommends to accompany all spring occasions. Whatever you may celebrate – we hope you do so with great wine, family and friends.

OUR TOP EASTER PICKS

Quinta do Encontro Brut
A delightful, relative newcomer to the store that we can’t get enough of. This Portuguese sparkler is dry with vigorous bubbles, and tastes like a dream $25 Champagne, but is half the price! Pop it open to welcome your Easter guests or sip on it as a reward for spending all of Sunday in the garden. $10.99

Steininger Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 
This spring-in-a-bottle charmer will be spectacular with your Easter ham, lamb or vegetarian quiche. Our Wine Manager Kate just returned from a visit to this Austrian winery, where the winemaking family reveled that this past, warmer season was the best vintage they can remember in over 15 years.  Ask her to show you pictures of the lovely family and underground cellars. If you like Whispering Angel, you need to try this Austrian gem!  $19.99

Henri Perrusset Macon Villages Chardonnay 
A wine perfectly suited for spring holiday meals!  This light French white is easy drinking and a super classy selection from the Kermit Lynch Portfolio.  It’s easily one of our absolute favorites.  Crisp, like the morning dew on an early, spring morning. $21.99

Raul Perez “Ultreia” Mencia  
This wine is so special! It tastes like a delicious jam made from Scandinavian raspberries with hints of dried herbs, and a smooth, somehow refreshing finish!  Even, Eric Asimov, NY Times  Wine Critic  agrees, including it in his most recent roundup of value wines not to be missed. It’s a beautiful complement to the Easter mainstays of lamb, ham and roast beef. $21.99

And then there are the bottles below. They do double duty, what with their spring-themed labels and all. Never fear – we wouldn’t recommend them if we didn’t like what was behind the label a whole heck of a lot:

The Little Sheep
What an elegant rose, with notes of red summer berries and delicate floral notes. Smooth, and beautifully balanced with fruit-forward flavors and cherry hints that lead into a refreshing, enjoyable finish. $12.99

Lelievre Pinot Auxerrois
We brought this wine in last year and just had to include it again here, given its affinity to spring foods. It’s from Lorraine, near Champagne and Chablis. Though different from those two wines, if you like them, you’ll love this, too. It’s incredibly, beautifully aromatic, and round with pear and white-fruit flavors, all brought together with a delicate acidity. And did you notice the bunny on the label? Could it be more perfect for this spring and Easter?  $18.99

Le Poussin Rose
Made by by Sacha Lichine of Whispering Angel fame, the “Pink Chick” is a delicate, pale pink blend made mostly from grenache with a little dash of syrah to round it out. It has floral, rose petal scents on the nose and a dry, well balanced palate with supple summer fruits. It’s one of our most popular, packed full of flavor, at a great price. $11.99

OUR TOP PICKS FOR PASSOVER

O’Dwyer’s Creek Sauvignon Blanc
This Kosher for Passover and vegan beauty of a wine is made on a single estate in the iconic Marlborough region of New Zealand. It’s vibrant with juicy, tropical fruits and pairs perfectly with the Passover table. $17.99

The Butcher’s Daughter Bordeaux
A great wine that just happens to be kosher for Passover, this Bordeaux blend is ripe with a bouquet of cassis and raspberry fruit, and a deep cocoa character. Made to drink with your brisket or lamb roast. It’s a year-round best seller! $13.99

Terra Vega Malbec
From Chile, this silky and balanced wine pairs beautifully with brisket, what with its amazing aromas of plum, cherry and herbs, all followed by a fruit-sweet, biscuit finish. $9.99

Chag Pesach! Happy Easter! Happy Spring!
xoxo, Team Bottles

prices subject to change

A Fabulous “40 Ounce” French Wine

We were a touch skeptical too – after all, it’s our job to be. Our shelf space and your palate are too precious for us to give in to every pretty label that walks in the door. We need to have solid reasons to bring in bottles: just having great packaging is not one of them.

Which is why we were thrilled that the 40 Ounce Rosé had some serious chops to back up its super clever, ironic packaging. The twist-off-topped large format bottle primarily known for holding the cheap buzz that is malt liquor (mass-produced, highly sweet, high alcohol content, get-drunk-fast swill) contains precisely the opposite: the wine is made from high-quality gamay, merlot, cabernet franc and pineau d’aunis grapes grown sustainably in France’s Muscadet and Touraine regions; it’s light, dry, delicious and fun, and at just 12.5% ABV, it will not numb your brain after a sip or two.

Though it was available last year in only a few large states, it was an immediate internet sensation, selling out before the summer was over.  We’re happy to say it’s now available in our little but mighty region. And we have it at $17.99 for the bottle, while supplies last.

Cheers & Enjoy!

price subject to change

Our Top 9 Rosés, Part II

Last week we shared with you five of our favorite rosés that have arrived thus far in 2018. (We also shared our POV on the so-called “Rosé Season.” If you’re confused about when you should drink rosé, give it a read.)  

This week we present the remaining four of the earliest-arriving bottles that are now atop our list. Some are new to our shelves, others will be easily recognizable to our rosé regulars: They’re the classics that once again with this vintage, proved their worth. Chateau Montaud
Provence, France
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren
It’s a year-over-year classic and staff favorite with good reason: the Montaud is a dry rosé-drinker’s dream! It’s light with fruit and spice notes and finishes with hints of peaches and stone fruits. Get a bottle for the night, or a box for the weekend. You’re welcome.
1 Bottle (750ml): $12.99  3L Box (as shown: that’s 4 bottles, folks): $27.99

 

Bodini
Mendoza, Argentina
Malbec
Bright, shiny and clean, the Bodini bursts with cherry and strawberry aromas and subtle notes of spice and pepper. It has a touch more body when compared to super light styles, and finishes with a fresh, balanced acidity. It’s a terrific pick for those just starting to drink the pink.
$10.99

 

Honoro Vera
Jumilla, Spain
Tempranillo, Syrah
This is another year-after-year store best-seller — and not just because of that super-cool label. It’s a beautifully crisp, salmon colored rosé with mild watermelon rind aromas, and bright strawberry and cherry flavors. It’s a juicy sip of the weather we’ve been waiting for all winter, and what one of our regulars calls “a rosé party in my mouth!”
$12.99

 

Peyrassol “#LOU”
Provence, France
Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
It’s baaaack…this was the runaway hit for us last spring/summer and this year’s bottling is just as tasty. Think white flower blossoms, peach and light berry fruits, with a good though not overpowering acidity, and a spicy minerality on the finish. Then think about how much fun you’ll have drinking it. This was one of the bottles that sold out fast last year – be sure to stock up!
$14.99

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we share more of our favorites as they arrive.

Cheers & enjoy!

Prices subject to change

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Our Top 9 Rosés, Part I

OK, let’s start with a fact: Despite what the mainstream media, your Instagram feed and your Aunt Jenny are putting out there, this is not the start of Rosé Season. There isn’t anything in the official anything anywhere stating that rosé can only be sipped in the warmer, sunny, cheerful season. There’s no “Rosé Rule” that, like the No White After Labor Day silliness, applies to pink wine. Rosé is one of the most versatile styles in the history of wine, and pairs remarkably well with pretty much anything you can throw at it – cold weather and winter fare included.

That said.

What spring does represent is the start of Rosé Arrival Season. It’s when the fresh new batches of rosés made with fruit from the previous year’s harvest are released to us at Bottles, to offer to you. It’s when we get to taste hundreds of new vintages to decide which we think you’ll fall in love with over the coming year, whether enjoyed on your porch on a sweltering July night, or with your family over Thanksgiving dinner.

This year’s feat of selecting was harder than ever, what with the increasing oceans of rosé being produced all over the world. We do our best to bring you the best of the new, while still making available the classics that prove themselves worthy of our precious shelf space — and your wallet — year after year.

A reminder: for many rosés, this Arrival Season is fleeting. Some are made in miniscule batches, meaning once they’re sold out, they’re gone for the year. So if you spark to one bottle in particular, check with our team on its availability so that you can squirrel some away for your November turkey feast.

Here’s a look at five of the rosés that made our short list from the early arrivals:

Domaine Houchart
Provence, France
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre
This is one of the “now you see it, now you don’t” rosés: It’s one of the first to arrive, and because it’s made in incredibly small quantities and is just delicious, it’ll be one of the first to sell out. It has a spicy acidity, ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, and finishes with a touch of white pepper. Get it now while the getting is good.
$13.99

Radley & Finch
West Cape, South Africa
Cinsault
A super easy-drinking, bright and fresh rosé with undertones of a juicy fruit salad. Its acid level is pretty low, which makes it very crowd friendly and a perfect introduction to rosé for those new to the style.
$10.99

Casa Americo
Dao, Portugal
Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro
We’re calling it: this is going to be the sleeper hit of the season. It’s new to Bottles and not yet on the industry’s radar screen, which is why we’re able to offer it at such a great price. It’s lively and refreshing like a bowl of ripe raspberries. It has lovely wildflower aromas, too.
$8.99 (yep. $8.99)

Barnard Griffin
Columbia Valley, Washington
Rosé of Sangiovese
This new-to-Bottles bottle won a huge rosé award last year on the West Coast (The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition), so we’re thrilled that it’s made its way to us this year. It’s dry, packed with fresh watermelon, pomegranate, cranberry and citrus flavors, and backed by a lip-smacking acidity. It’s made from Italy’s most famous grape — sangiovese, the main grape in Chianti — so it’s no surprise that it pairs beautifully with a bowl of spring pasta, enjoyed on the porch.
$13.99

Massaya
Beqaa Valley, Lebanon
Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
You’ll be hearing lots from us soon about this really amazing Lebanese winery in the Beqaa Valley. For now, though, trust us that this beautiful bottle will charm you to no end. It’s full of ripe summery strawberry fruit with subtle spice notes, and satisfies with a dry, crisp finish.
$18.99

Tune in next week for Part II when we share the remaining four rosés that are among our favorites this year.

Cheers!

All prices subject to change

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Our Top 6 Spring Wines

Channeling our inner Kevin Costner here, and putting out there that If You Drink Them, It Will Come. We’re talking spring wines and spring weather, folks. Who knows if we’re out of the snow  woods yet, but gosh darn it, we’re going to drink like we are. And here’s what we’ll be opening:
Underwood “The Bubbles” Sparkling Wine in a Can, Oregon
Oh where to start with this one. Do we talk about how cool it is to have wine in a can (great for the wine! environmentally friendly!)? Or how cool it is to have sparkling wine in a can (instant party anywhere!)? Or do we talk about just how yummy these bubbles are (oh hello ripe citrus, tropical fruit, and white flower flavors). Or, maybe we should just shut our mouths and drink it, and encourage you to do the same. (The drinking part, not the mouth-shutting part.) 
Underwood “The Bubbles Rosé” Wine in a Can, Oregon
You probably didn’t set out today looking for springtime in a can, but man did you find it. Each of these little aluminum gems are bursting with effervescent wild strawberry and tart cherry flavors that’ll make you look forward to mowing your lawn, weeding your garden, and mulching your beds. We guarantee it.
$6.99 per can (each flavor)
Boya Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chile
And now for a refreshing coastal Chilean rosé with bright raspberry and tangerine notes, and a dry, mineral-y finish. Crack open a bottle, invite friends over for freshly shucked oysters and grilled chicken and vegetables and you win. It’s a food-loving, crowd pleasing blockbuster of a wine for sure!
$15.99
Domaine d’Ourea “Tire Bouchon” Gigondas, Rhone Valley, France
Quench your thirst with this juicy, funky, deep and fascinating Grenache-based wine while you slow roast ribs or slather that chicken in barbecue sauce for the season’s first cookout. It’s all dark fruit, with an undercurrent of dried-herb earthiness and some grippy tannins that whip in at the end. It’s super stuff.
$13.99
Foris Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, Oregon
We can’t stop thinking about salmon when we think of this wine! It’s an Oregonian Pinot Noir with bright Bing cherry, red plum, and floral aromas, and beautifully assimilated flavors of cherries, currant, cranberry gratin, dried strawberries, and barrel spices. Bring on spring!
$21.99
Lelievre Pinot Auxerrois, Cotes de Toul, Lorraine, France
No really, you need to try this wine! We are so excited about it! It’s from Lorraine, near Champagne and Chablis. Though different from those two wines, if you like them, you’ll love this, too. It’s incredibly, beautifully aromatic, and round with pear and white-fruit flavors, all brought together with a delicate acidity. It’s pure springtime in a bottle (though would be amazing with Thanksgiving dinner, too!). And did you notice the bunny on the label? Could it be more perfect for this spring and Easter? 
$18.99

Rosé Popsicles!

It’s mid-August and summer is nearly over (don’t shoot the messenger). We might be sick of tomato sandwiches, sick of already seeing Halloween decorations and sick of seeing school supplies (why does that still make me anxious when I’m not even a student or a teacher?!) One thing that we are definitely not sick of, however, is rosè. It’s been the star of the summer and for these last couple weeks of sweltering August heat, we recommend serving it up all icy and on a stick, or in a good ‘ole push-up bag.

Below is a recipe for our rosè popsicles. Since the batch we make yields a large amount, we should tell you to serve them at your next BBQ or picnic, but there is no reason you couldn’t scale this down and whip up a batch to keep in your freezer for any night of the week. You deserve it.

PS. Any leftover unfrozen rosè juice makes a delicious drink to sip over ice!

Alex’s Famous Rosè Popsicles

Ingredients

One 750ml bottle rosè of your choice (we recommend something dry but with a good boost of fruitiness. Ask a Bottles team member and they’ll steer you in the right direction.)

One 750ml bottle sparkling water

8 oz. simple syrup

16 oz. fruit juice (we recommend watermelon, berry or grapefruit. Take a sip of your rosè and see what flavors you think would match best.)

Tools

Mold of choice (we’ve used things from loaf pans to muffin tins to plastic cups to inexpensive plastic bags easily found on Amazon.)

Popsicle sticks, if using

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and stir vigorously. Pour your concoction into your desired molds, freeze for at least12 hours (it’ll be worth it). If you’re using the push-up bags, be sure to leave an inch or more at the top, as the popsicle will expand as it freezes.

Serve ’em up and enjoy those last licks of summer.

xoxo Alex

Which Rosé is Right For You?

It’s midsummer and the wine world is swimming in a sea of rosé. Let our life-raft of a chart help you pick the one that’s right for you and your palate.

Do you solely drink light whites? Stick with those in the lower left quadrant. Like reds and wines with savory notes? Make the bottles in the upper right your new BFFs.

Enjoy!

Prices subject to change

A Wine to Pair with Roasted Pork Loin, Summer Vegetables & Herbs

If you haven’t yet spent time with the summer issue of Edible Rhody, you’re missing out on coverage of some of the best seasonal eating and drinking our state has to offer. To tide you over until you do pick up a complimentary copy at Bottles, we’re happy to present a pairing of a terrific wine with a summer-style roasted pork loin dish from Metacom Kitchen’s Chef/Owner Richard Allaire.

pork

Said Chef Richard: “This recipe embraces the simplicity of summer cooking when you can let the ingredients shine through. You can adapt this using other vegetables, citrus or herbs depending on what is available at the farmers’ market.”

chinonKate Miceli, our Wine Assistant, paired this seasonal dish with the 2016 Couly-Dutheil Chinon Rosé. Said Kate: “Made from 100% cabernet franc, the Couly-Dutheil is punchy with pronounced flavors of ripe plums, mulberries, fresh thyme and lilac flowers. It has a luscious mouthfeel that is perfect with roasted pork, and the herbaceous tones mingle fantastically with the herbs and the carrot cumin sauce. Enjoy!”

 

 

 

Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Corn, Pearl Couscous Salad with Warm Carrot Cumin Sauce.(Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS

1 pound pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
3 shallots, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin seed
1 lime
25 snow peas (or use snap peas or green beans), blanched
4 ounces Israeli couscous
1 large heirloom tomato, seeded and diced
1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

METHOD

Preheat oven to 300°F. Preheat grill or prepare coals. Season pork with coriander and salt, then rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on grill and sear on all sides (this should take just a few minutes), then transfer to a cooking rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Place in the oven for approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Using a thermometer, remove from oven when internal temperature is 140°F. Set aside and let rest at room temperature while you prepare the salad.

Meanwhile, coat corn with 1 tablespoon olive oil and char on the grill on all sides. Let the cobs cool, then cut corn kernels off of the cob. Reserve the kernels and place the shorn cobs in a pot with the carrots, minced shallots and ground cumin seed. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook until carrots are very tender, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from heat and discard corn cobs. Transfer carrots, shallots and liquid to a blender. Add juice from ½ lime and ¼ teaspoon salt. Blend until carrot purée is very smooth (add more water if needed for desired consistency). Keep warm.

Bring approximately 3 quarts of water to a boil with 3 tablespoons salt added. Add snow peas and blanch 1 minute (2 minutes for green beans) and then remove with a slotted spoon. In the same water, cook couscous for about 6 to 8 minutes until al dente, strain. Coat couscous with 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.

Combine cooked corn, snow peas, diced heirloom tomatoes, juice from the other 1⁄2 lime plus the chopped cilantro in a bowl, along with the couscous. Add salt to taste. Place pork back on grill for 3 to 4 minutes to warm slightly (if desired) and then slice into large 4 pieces. Spoon carrot purée on each of 4 plates, then divide couscous salad equally. Place pork on each plate and serve immediately.

Cheers & Enjoy!

Peyrassol Rosés: That’s A Great Price, But What Do They Taste Like?

pey_groupIn a word, amazing.

First, some context: Even if you’re not a history buff, the story of the Peyrassol domain is pretty astounding. The estate was founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Templar on the site of their Commanderie. (Yes, those same Knights who were dedicated to protecting the crusaders en route to the Holy Land.) Winemaking has continued on that very same land, uninterrupted over the centuries, under the command of various powers and families, to this day. And with that amount of practice and experience under its belt, it’s no wonder that Peyrassol produces wines that are considered the benchmark against which all other Provencal rosés are measured.

Today, Peyrassol adheres to strict organic guidelines in the vineyard, eschewing synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides for natural methods. The wines are a beautiful expression of the region’s clay and limestone terroir, capturing the very essence of Provence: fresh, refined elegance.

pey_chat

The creme de la creme of the Peyrassol rosé collection is the Chateau de Peyrassol. Made with grapes harvested from the domain’s oldest vines, the wine gets its darker color, character and concentration from a long maceration period. It is a more full-bodied rosé, with notes of citrus, peach and apricot. It’s lively yet delicate, and is a very special bottle.

peyc_command

By comparison, the Commanderie de Peyrassol is a bit more traditional: it’s lighter in body with more minerality. It starts with lovely fruit blossom aromas, has refreshing flavors of watermelon and peach and finishes on a silky, stony note. The domain considers it the workhorse of the estate.

pey_lou

The newest addition to the Peyrassol lineup is entry-level-priced #Lou. It’s a highly-drinkable rosé for those both just getting into pink wine, as well as those of us who drink it year-round. It has a crisp start, fills your mouth with wild strawberries and citrus flavors, then finishes with mineral notes.

All three wines are on sale at Bottles through June 15th, 2017, at pricing meant to encourage your exploration of this historical and excellent estate. We think you’ll enjoy them as much as we do.

— #Lou: $11.99 (or just $10 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Commanderie de Peyrassol: $19.99 (or just $16.66 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Chateau de Peyrassol: $24.99 (or just $20.83 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
(additional case discounts and rewards points do not apply)

All prices subject to change.

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