Friday, April 27, 2007

Sparkling Rosés

Catavino is hosting a Virtual Wine Tasting for April with the theme of rosé wines. More specifically, they are asking people to compare Spanish rosé to rosé from elsewhere in the world.

I need very little encouragement to open a bottle of rosé. I also love Spanish wines and try to promote them whenever possible.

It just so happens that on my latest wine-buying foray I ran across a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé NV. The theme didn’t mention sparkling or still, so I decided to contribute a bubbly rosé comparison.

I compared the Jacob’s Creek to Casteller Cava Brut Rosé, although it wasn’t a side-by-side comparison. I have had several bottles of the Casteller, so it’s committed to memory at this point.

Because I am feeling lazy, I will review these wines in free-form poetry. Catavino also requested photos, but I am camera-less at the moment. Here goes:

Jacobs Creek Sparkling Rosé NV, South Eastern Australia

Pale salmon,
wiffs of toast and fresh berries
bing cherry, lemon crème and vanilla,
a subtle, elegant beauty,
pinot noir and chardonnay,
make my crab cakes sing,
another bottle is soon to come.

Casteller Cava Brut Rosé NV

Hot pink,
strawberry, raspberry, and cherry—oh my!
berries galore, peach, cinnamon and herbs,
a lively, flamboyant tart,
trepat and garnacha,
one new acquaintance, one old friend,
only three bottles left.

I have Dr. Debs at Good Wine Under $20 to thank for pointing me towards Catavino. It’s a great source of interesting information about the wines of the Iberian Peninsula, which—for anyone whose world geography is as terrible as mine—is home to Spain and Portugal. Anyone who isn’t exploring Spanish (and Portuguese) wines should begin immediately, as they are some of the best wine values regardless of price range.

Look for future posts on Spain and my crab cakes.

Don’t look for any more poetry. I won’t put you through that again.

3 comments:

Gabriella Opaz said...

John,

I, personally, have never experienced someone put Spanish wine to poetry, and I have to say, that I am not only impressed but inspired. I now feel as if I must at least give it my best shot before our rosé theme runs its course. Thank you so much for participating in our virtual wine tasting and I hope we hear more from you in the future!

Gabriella Opaz

Anonymous said...

Ok this was Really cool of you to do. We're soooooo glad you joined in and we hope to hear a few more poems as time goes on. The next virtual tasting is brewing in my mind with hopes of choosing easily rhyme-able grapes! Cheers!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Gabriella and Ryan. I've never thought I was much of a poet, but maybe wine brings it out in me. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my contribution, and I love your site. Great work.

 
Google