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Our Valentine’s Picks
This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to celebrate our love for wine and there’s one style of wine in particular we’re recommending this week, sparkling Rosé!
Why not pop open something special this February 14th for your best friend, latest flame, or significant other? Rosé bubbles come in a range of different styles from the dry, light, and pale to the opulent and fruity. Producers everywhere are responding to the popularity this wine category has gained in recent years and as outlined by the variety below, you’ll find a sparkling Rosé to suit every taste.
Mistinguett; Vallformosa
Our first suggestion comes for the hills of Penedès in Spain. Our fantastic organic producer, Vallformosa have created a dry non-vintage rosé for all occasions! The wine is named after the famous actress and singer ‘Mistinguett’ and is produced using the Champagne method. Here we get intense aromas of strawberry cream candy, offset with hints of bitter grapefruit and notes of toasty gingernut! This Garnatxa-Trepat blend is also 100% Vegan and offers outstanding quality at a reasonable price point!
Spumante Rosé Prosecco; Masottina
If you’re firmly in the Prosecco camp, look no further than this Spumante Rosé Prosecco by Masottina, which is a blend of Glera and Pinot Nero. This winery is nailing it in terms of innovation and sustainability, custom-built to utilise the power of gravitational flow (meaning less energy is needed to pump and press in the conversion from grapes to wine!). This particular Prosecco is a luminous shade of redcurrant in the glass. It is extra dry in style with vibrant red berry fruits. Totally irresistible with a bowl of chocolate-dipped strawberries, if you don’t mind clichés!
Jeio Cuvée Rosé; Bisol
Alternatively, for those looking to really splash out, we recommend another sparkling Rosé from Veneto, Jeio Cuvée Rosé by Bisol. Bisol produces high-quality Prosecco from Valdobbiadene and the name for their contemporary range, Jeio, just happens to stem from romantic origins. Jeio was the name given affectionately to Desiderio, the husband of Giovanna Bisol. In the wake of WWII, it was Desiderio who led an intense search for very best land in the hills of Valdobbiadene in a quest to make truly memorable wines. Since then, the company has amassed a treasure trove of enviable sites ideally suited for high-quality grape production. The Jeio Cuvée Rosé is blush pink with aromas of raspberry, rose and citrus. This is a cosmopolitan choice, light and dry, low in alcohol at only 11% and our recommendation for a refreshing aperitif.
Champagne Pannier
Of course, any Valentine’s wine offering is incomplete without mentioning the traditional choice for a celebration, Champagne, and this Rosé blend by Champagne Pannier is a proper treat. Pannier age their Champagne in underground cellars dug out from magnificent medieval stone quarries, as in the picture, which create the perfect conditions for slow ageing and a consistent house style. Their Rosé Champagne is made in a generous and fruity style with a majority of red fruit in the blend and we reckon it’s the gourmet choice to pair with a meal due to the versatility and complexity of the style. You could pair it with pan-seared salmon or roast duck breast and you’ll find the crispness of the Champagne will balance the richness in these meats.
Lastly, anyone looking to add a twist to their bubbles should have a go at making a Valentine’s Rossini cocktail. Our colleague Aidan McNamara kindly offered us this recipe from his former bartending glory days!
The Rossini Cocktail
Made with strawberry purée, sparkling wine, and simple syrup, the Rossini cocktail is easy, sweet and perfect for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450grams) fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries
- 1/4 cup (60ml) simple syrup or granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (15mls) lemon juice
- 1 (750mL) bottle Prosecco Spumante
- Strawberries, to garnish
Instructions
- In a high-powered blender, purée the strawberries, simple syrup or sugar and lemon juice in a blender until very smooth.
- Pour the strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a wide mouth container to remove seeds and excess pulp.
- Transfer the purée into glass flutes to fill by a third of the way up the flute. Slowly pour the sparkling wine or champagne over the strawberry puree and stir gently.
- Garnish glass with a strawberry. Serve immediately.
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