The Toast of the Town
Rosé has taken Lake Erie by storm. Here's where to find it — and what to pair it with.
Why does it seem like nobody but your grandma drank rosé and now — out of nowhere — the blush-hued wine has become the warm-weather drink of choice for oenophiles across the globe?
“It’s huge,” says Lydia Tomek, the winemaker at Burning Kiln winery in Saint Williams, Ontario. “Rosé has evolved to become a more sophisticated, fruit-forward, drier wine. It used to have a stigma as being a little sweet.”
Burning Kiln’s 2016 Broken Needle Rosé ($18.95), for example, is made with Merlot grapes and has notes of strawberry and watermelon. It’s quick-pressed, which results in a crisp, refreshing wine.
What does it pair well with?
“Everything,” says Tomek. “Seriously."
Pick up a bottle at Burning Kiln (519-586-9858, burningkilnwinery.ca) or check out one of these other Lake Erie rosés.
• 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($14.99) by Debonné Vineyards in Madison, Ohio. Aromas of fresh watermelon, strawberries and citrus and honeydew and guava flavors. Pair with shrimp cocktail, fresh goat cheese, tartines or quiche. 440-466-3485, debonne.com
• 2012 Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé ($14.99) by Presque Isle Wine Cellars in North East, Pennsylvania. Hints of earth and ripe cranberries. Pair with picnic food or grilled seafood. 814-725-1314, piwine.com
“It’s huge,” says Lydia Tomek, the winemaker at Burning Kiln winery in Saint Williams, Ontario. “Rosé has evolved to become a more sophisticated, fruit-forward, drier wine. It used to have a stigma as being a little sweet.”
Burning Kiln’s 2016 Broken Needle Rosé ($18.95), for example, is made with Merlot grapes and has notes of strawberry and watermelon. It’s quick-pressed, which results in a crisp, refreshing wine.
What does it pair well with?
“Everything,” says Tomek. “Seriously."
Pick up a bottle at Burning Kiln (519-586-9858, burningkilnwinery.ca) or check out one of these other Lake Erie rosés.
• 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($14.99) by Debonné Vineyards in Madison, Ohio. Aromas of fresh watermelon, strawberries and citrus and honeydew and guava flavors. Pair with shrimp cocktail, fresh goat cheese, tartines or quiche. 440-466-3485, debonne.com
• 2012 Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé ($14.99) by Presque Isle Wine Cellars in North East, Pennsylvania. Hints of earth and ripe cranberries. Pair with picnic food or grilled seafood. 814-725-1314, piwine.com