Great Wine: Vina Real Rose

By Johannes Marlena

It’s now Fall, and Summer is over… so, stop wearing white and drinking rosé? I beg to differ.

If you haven’t already figured it out, there’s no reason for rosé to only be a Spring/Summer wine. The versatility of the variety is like an endless well of satisfaction. 

Rosé is a social wine, perfect to lift the start of any social occasion—but it’s also a good loner wine, say for sitting alone in front of the TV while catching some old episodes of Friends or The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix to help you get through the week. 

And food pairings? Puh-lease, other than sparkling wine there may be no other kind of wine that goes with pretty much anything you feel in the mood for: fried chicken, tacos and enchiladas or paella, shrimp pasta, sandwiches stacked up with cured meats, garlic fries, popcorn, salads with feta, goat cheese and/or candied nuts, most appetizers—you name it, a brunch omelet, berry cobblers, lemon bars or strawberry shortcake. Hungry yet? 

At around $13 a bottle, you really need to keep a year-round supply of the VIÑA REAL Rosé just in case the mood strikes, which will happen often. From the classic Rioja region of Spain and made from both red and white grapes—Tempranillo, Garnacha and mostly Viura (using white grapes for rosé is happening more often these days, though it’s been frowned upon)—the nose on the 2017 bottling is a delightfully crisp, bright medley of pink grapefruit, orange peel, honeydew and gooseberry notes. 

On the palate, that same crisp, bright quality is all there for maximum refreshing effect—with additional notes of young, fresh red fruit. The white Viura grape used for the blend, however, brings a subtle weightiness, a smoothing of the edges and depth of flavor (white peach) that some may be unaccustomed to in a rosé—it’s very pleasant. 

Vivacious and vibrant, this is an instant pick-me-up—a mood lifter. Call it wine therapy. Outstanding value and ultimately good for your health.  –J.M.

Find this wine at a store near you, or purchase online:

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October 28, 2018