IF you were to stock Rose

"Out-of-state wineries will have to post a $1,000 bond, pay a $200 annual fee for the privilege of shipping to Maryland residents, and file quarterly reports stating which Marylanders are receiving their wines."

Do you think some/many won't be willing to do that and so they won't ship to Maryland?

Ron - since you're looking for wines to stock for retail, I think it's always a good idea to promote local products. I have no first hand knowledge of CT wines, but have heard some good things about Sharpe Hill dessert wines and I'm sure some of them make rosé. It might be worth your while (and fun) to check them out.

Howie, we do try to promote local wines. Since we are located in Brookfield, CT, there is a winery, DiGrazia Vineyards that produces a number of different wines, including several dessert types.
But honestly, with the exception of their Port, most of those wines are on the sweet side even though they say dry. That holds true for many of the CT wines.
The two wines that I have enjoyed were:

Chamard Chardonnay
Stonnington Triad Rose

We have done the CT Wine Trail several times. Even if the wines are not that exciting, the country side and the driving is fun

"Out-of-state wineries will have to post a $1,000 bond, pay a $200 annual fee for the privilege of shipping to Maryland residents, and file quarterly reports stating which Marylanders are receiving their wines."

Do you think some/many won't be willing to do that and so they won't ship to Maryland?

Unknown - are they fairly standard requirements or are they onerous out-the-mainstream requirements?

My absolute favorite still rosés are the Cotat and Lopez de Heredia, though neither are cheap, and the latter is not to everyone's style. Another exceptional one is the Château de Cazeneuve from Pic St.-Loup. Terre Nere, Château l'Eperonnière, Couly-Dutheil René Couly, and Alois Lageder are others that I have enjoyed, but don't seem to be mentioned yet on this thread.

In the sparkling, non-Champagne category, I also like the Renardat-Fache, as well as Nana, Vins et Cie. (Chaussard) You Are So Bubbly!.

Here in town, I see my fave Lancyre Rose is back, now the `09 vintage!

In this week's newletter Dan Berger named as his "Wine of the Week" a German(!) Rose'! It is the 2010 Weingut Schnaitmann, Evoe' Rose' Trocken, Wurttemberg ($19). It will be released in May. Details: 800-596-9463. "Case purchases suggested."

[Jenise]

Ron, on the whole Provence produces the best roses in the world--lots and lots of them, and at prices most American wines can't compete with. Italy also produces some exceptional roses, like a nebbiolo-based model called Il Mimo, and so too does Spain--Muga is one I look forward to every year. The quality for the price, genereally $10/bottle retail, gives you little or no reason to look for roses from California or Washington which will generally cost at least twice that, though some are quite good. Most are dry: those made in the sweeter style, like Sofia or anything called white zinfandel or white merlot, are made for people who don't drink wine regularly but just want something soda-poppish containing alcohol. Not much reason for most good wine stores to stock much like that, the buyers of that kind of thing will probably be buying their own at supermarkets (presuming CT law allows that).

Ron, I drink rosé year around, and think that I must be off, but then maybe I just know how good it can be with a bowl of veg/beef soup, or a bowl of chili with a touch of heat included in the chili. It is (IMO) the best possible wine to have with a baked ham. Heck, it even goes well with a Kentucky football game! I have some favorites and at least two of them has been mentioned already. Steve Edmunds Bone-Jolly rosé of Gamay is a great wine, and as for aging it can (again IMO) go at least a short distance. I just purchased a case of his 2007 which is as fresh as it was in 08. Hand Picked Selections (HPS) (Dan Kravitz) imports 2 from the south of France that I absolutely love. One is the aforementioned Ch. Lancyre (been drinking that for maybe 10 years. And the other is one from Bargemon. I suspect that even though I have about 3 cases of Steve's wines I will get some of each of the HPS rosés as well.

Jenise, I totally agree with the roses from Provence. Price wise, they are so hard to beat. We have to keep a few of those White Zinfandel and White Merlots for those that like it. I try to be good when I talk with customers about those wines, but some how, I do get into saying Take some water, add about a pound of sugar and some food coloring and you have White Zinfandel But it do say that tastefully

Right now in CT, only package stores can sell Liquor, Wine and Beer. So the supermarket avenue is not on us at this time.

Bob, I like your view about roses. So many people forget about them and just how wonderful they can go with various meals. I can think nothing better than having a nice chilled dry rose with a ham sandwich on some nice fresh semolina bread.

So many people get confused when you mention rose. They think you are talking about those pink white zinfandel. That goes along whenever I suggest a Red Zin for a meal. Some people look at me and say, no, I dont like that sweet stuff. Its hard to talk to some about the existence of Red Zinfandel.

Two memorable rose's from the past few years, Folie a Deux Rose' is a favorite from previous tastings (California) and Jean-Luc Colombo produces a lovely little Vin de Pays called "Cape Bleue", made from Provencal fruit, brought in by Palm Bay Imports, and should sell for about $11-$12. Colombo also makes a nice red and white, both called Les Abeilles, Cotes du Rhone (about $13 retail) that would make any wine shop owner proud. Gives you something solid to recommend. FWIT, the Cape Bleue was my favorite rose' last year. Just a word of caution, a winemaker in Provence told me that one year after bottling is all you can expect out of a Provencal rose', to be forewarned. I think the wines from Tavel might be a little more forgiving.

Much to be said for the crisp dry roses of Provence. Excellent food wines to complement sharp, assertive, or acidic flavors.
Here are some favorites --alphabetical by region --

Domaine Sorin Bandol
Domaine de Gros Nore Bandol
Domaine Ott Bandol
Domaine Tempier Bandol
Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol
Chateau de Belllet Bellet
Domain Helene Calviera Bellet
Clos Sainte Magdelaine Cassis
Chateau La Coste Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Cuvee Elisabeth
Chateau Revelette Coteaux d'Aix en Provence
Les Maitres Vignerons de Saint-Tropez Carte Noire Cotes de Provence
Chateau Simon Palette

Plus a couple from the Loire because, why not? --
Cottat Sancerre
J. Mourat Pere & fils Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil

Well, we've suggested from France, Italy and Spain, all of which is just fine. But if you really want to surprise your customers, consider Israel which is doing very nicely with rosé wines. Possibly hard to find in your neck of the woods but worth considering.

Best
Rogov


Vitkin Winery, Israeli Journey, Pink, Israel, 2010: A blend primarily of Tempranillo and Carignan with a tad of Shiraz. Baby pink in color (think of those pink blankets one buys for baby girls), and bone dry, with crisp acidity and showing generous raspberry, cranberry and strawberry fruits. Adding complexity to the wine is a bare trace of bitter herbs that sneaks nicely in from mid-palate on. Drink now. Score 89.

Shvo Vineyards, Rosé, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2009: Made entirely from Barbera grapes, with absolutely minimal skin contact to allow a light coloring, and then with fermentation relying entirely on wild yeasts. Light salmon pink in color, light- to medium-bodied, a smooth, ripe and generous wine, remarkably well balanced with appealing plum, cherry, berry and raspberry notes and even a light hint of tannins, all leading to a long and supple finish. Drink now–2012. Not many rosé wines earn scores of 90 or higher but this is one of the best I have ever tasted and comfortably earns its score of 91.

[James Roscoe]

Casal Garcia Rosé of Vinho Verde (NV) imported by Constantine Wines in Columbia MD! Yum! (and inexpensive)

It is true that Provence is a leading source for good, even great, rosé. My only caution is that this is because Provence is a leading source for rosé of all quality levels. There is a lot of pink dreck out there, and I've tasted quite a bit of it! That said, it's always good to have a quality Tavel or two in stock. Another appellation worth looking into is Costières de Nîmes, where talented winemakers like Diane de Puymorin and François and Anne Collard produce very nice wines at very good prices. I used to sell Domaine Tempier, but even I think $30 is just too much to pay for a wine meant for immediate consumption.

"Out-of-state wineries will have to post a $1,000 bond, pay a $200 annual fee for the privilege of shipping to Maryland residents, and file quarterly reports stating which Marylanders are receiving their wines."

Do you think some/many won't be willing to do that and so they won't ship to Maryland?

Unknown - are they fairly standard requirements or are they onerous out-the-mainstream requirements?

I had not opened this thread so was unaware that this question was in here. At the Bassins barrel tasting on 2 April, we asked a number of wineries present if the requirements were going to stop them from shipping to Maryland. Every one said that they planned to register to ship assuming that the potential sales would more than account for the requirements. Funny but even Joel Peterson said the Ravenswood would pursue it and from what I can see they have ample distribution throughout the state already.

I had not opened this thread so was unaware that this question was in here. At the Bassins barrel tasting on 2 April, we asked a number of wineries present if the requirements were going to stop them from shipping to Maryland. Every one said that they planned to register to ship assuming that the potential sales would more than account for the requirements. Funny but even Joel Peterson said the Ravenswood would pursue it and from what I can see they have ample distribution throughout the state already.

That's good to hear. The requirements seemed fairly benign, except the quarterly reporting. I wonder if other states have that requirement.

Speaking of a good value rose, comprised of 60% Syrah 35% Grenache and 5% Mouvedre, I opened a 2009 Château Grand Cassagne (Costières de Nîmes) last monday when the temps in Maryland hit mid 80's. A very dark rose, dark salmon, in color, which tastes of herb infused strawberry with hints of watermelon. Nothing complex but a nice, easy to drink rose for the summer. $10

Drew