Wine Focus for June: Looks like rosé!

[Robin Garr]

I am loath to do the white wine category in June, especially since White Burg didn't get much traction.

But don't you think price and availability might have been a barrier to entry in the White Burg topic? I really wanted to take part, but when I found the generic Jadot Bourgogne Chard selling for $20 I kind of lost interest in pursuing the fancier stuff.

On the other hand, I like the idea of Rosé for June. As others have said, it's not my favorite style, but I welcome the occasion to have an incentive to explore it more.

[David M. Bueker]

Perhaps price and availability could have been an issue, but do you really think that worthwhile Italian whites are more available?

[James Roscoe]

Good Italian whites sell well south of $20, including good Soave. Even some good pinot grigio can be had for under $20. Personally I prefer whites from other parts of Italy. They frequently can be had for under $20. Isn't it time for seafood? Italian whites are perfect! (So are spanish whites!)

[David M. Bueker]

Isn't it time for seafood?

I find so much seafood to be rather oily. Ugh...

My summer seafood is most often wild Alaskan Salmon which works very well with rose.

[Robin Garr]

Perhaps price and availability could have been an issue, but do you really think that worthwhile Italian whites are more available?

Around here, David, I'd say so, if only because Italy is so diverse, and there are interesting whites from uncommon varieties coming out of Southern Italy in particular. I expect I could score Falanghina and Fiano around here under $20 and Greco di Tufo for not much more, and that's just talking about Calabria, mostly. Lotta Sicilian whites. And some decent stuff from Friuli that's not Pinot Grigio, just to name a few.

All that being said, I'm totally fine with rosé and in a way would prefer not to have whites back-to-back. James, why were you so strong about not doing rosé?

[David M. Bueker]

Selection around here is near zero unless you want overpriced, faceless Pinot Grigio.

David, I just looked at your favorite store's website and saw several Lageders, plus a couple Marco Fellugas (the "lesser" Felluga, but decent) and Bastianich. Take one for the team!

Plus Inama Soave, FdSG Fiano & Falanghina, etc

[David M. Bueker]

Let's see which of those wines they actually have in stock! I'll check next weekend, especially since they seem to have a Vitovska!

[Robin Garr]

Okay, I don't sense any real consensus here, so before we make an arbitrary decision, let's take a quick poll. Go to the top, click "Rosé" or "Italian whites" (no other choices at this late date). If there's a clear preference, we'll Make It So.

[James Roscoe]

I love the passion that has developed here and Bob Parsons hasn't posted a thing!!!

[Jenise]

Given the weather in California this week, I think we need to focus on mulled wine or Glog.

At least the high pressure system is returning this weekend!

Let me know when it arrives.

Signed,

Shivering in Washington

[Robin Garr]

2009 Edmunds St. John Bone Jolly Gamay Rose
Ok, so I opened this a day early, but at least I can get another note in. Perhaps I have caught Gilman disease, as I swear it was a bit chemical/rubery/tinny for the first hour, but after that there was nothing but strawberries, chalk and all the things I have come to know and love in this wine.I still think the 2006 is the best version of this Rose that Steve has ever made, but I will happily slurp down the 2009 this summer.

David, let's start a new thread for the Rosé month - I kind of hate to launch it with the first two pages filled with non-tasting discussion.

I'll put one up later today unless you beat me to it, and then maybe you can copy and paste this one in to the new thread?