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Celebrating National Rosé Day with Distinctive Wines

National Rosé Day was June 10th and to mark that occasion I interviewed 3 winemakers who craft distinctive versions of refreshing pink wine. I traveled from Napa Valley (Stewart Cellars) to Sonoma County (Taft Street Winery) and hit Glen Ellen in between (Laurel Glen Vineyard). This is the season for Rosé and over the last few years that style of wine has been getting quite interesting as winemakers search for creative ways to produce it. That’s what you’ll hear on this podcast. So find a warm spot in the sun with a chilled glass of Rosé and let’s get started. Cheers!

 

National Rosé Day

Blair Guthrie of Stewart Cellars

 

National Rosé Day

Mike Martini of Taft Street Winery

 

National Rosé Day

Randall Watkins of Laurel Glen Vineyard

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Innovative Winery Owner Jean-Charles Boisset

This interview began as a discussion concerning the 40th anniversary celebration of Raymond Vineyards’ first vintage release. Always the innovator, owner Jean-Charles Boisset had it bottled with a gold embossed red velvet label. No, really. This inspired me to sit down with him to discuss his creative inspiration. That led me to present other wine producing innovations he has been offering from Buena Vista Winery (Sonoma Valley) and JCB by Jean-Charles (Napa Valley). I enjoy interviewing J.C. because I never know what to expect from him. I take that back. I do know what to expect and it’s his playful irreverence that tempts me to return. This is the extended version of what aired on my radio show. An EP of JC, if you will. Enjoy.

 

 

jean-charles boisset

The Chameleon Grape

Which grape can make a white, rose, red and sparkling wine?  Think about that before you read further.

 

If you guessed Pinot Noir  you are correct. You get Pinot Noir Blanc when you remove the juice from the skins immediately after pressing. As with all red grape varietals the skin give Pinot its color. Rose of Pinot Noir sits on the skins from 10 to 24 hours or so to get that rosy color. Red Pinot Noir has full contact on the skins during fermentation.  And you may know that Pinot Noir is one of the main grapes in sparkling wine and champagne, along with Chardonnay and occasionally Pinot Meunier. The sparkling Blanc de Noirs, is typically 100% Pinot Noir removed from the skins and made in the sparkling wine style.  You gotta love the versatility of Pinot Noir!

 

Wine Uncorked