Okay, so there are a couple of reasons behind my pronouncement that people ought to be drinking rosé wine all year long and not just during the flowery, blooming, highly-allergenic (I really should have bought stock in a tissue paper company) months of Spring.
First is that a good rosé is often one of the most versatile, food-friendly wines that can possibly adorn your dinner table. The other is that… well… rosé will probably get you laid. So naturally that became the logical choice as the topic for the first article I submitted for my new column at Playboy.com (but for scheduling reasons became the second in the series to be published). For those offended by the nature of that theme, I apologize; for the other 99.8% of you reading this, I’ll accept your thanks for saying what was on your mind already (you’re welcome, by the way…).
I loved writing that article (which was penned a couple of months ago, and posted last week at the re-launched, safe-for work – but only just! – Playboy.com). It’s fun (sometimes, anyway) to face into a widely-held perception, especially an edgy one, but then sort-of turn it on its ear (in this case, building an argument for rosé that actually speaks to female empowerment and compromise in a relationship), hopefully without it all ending up either too trite or too stodgy. You’ll have to let me know if I came close to the intended goal on that one.
I mention in the article one of my personal favorite rosé wines, and one that I’ve found myself recommending often over the course of the last few years:
2010 Paul Jaboulet Parallele 45 Rose (Cotes du Rhone)
Price: Around $12
Rating: B
My “mini-review” for this wine consisted of the following note: “Bring on the Provençal fare any time. And bring on the the dancing girls, too;” which just about sums up the two major thematic points I was trying to drive home about a good rosé in the Playboy.com article. Red berries, flowers, even a tiny hint of meat dazzle like a well-rehearsed Kenjutsu display, and then tangy red fruits unleash palate kung-fu for a close-in,hand-to-hand bout with your food. If we take fighting as more of a kick-ass dance between equals in the martial arts sense, I mean, and not in the awkward-battle-inside-your-mouth sense. Okay, you’re right, that comparison totally doesn’t work… I should have stuck to the sensual stuff…
Cheers!
The article's racy edge may be a bit for some, but given the expected readership, it may be exactly what it takes to convince big boys that they can safely drink pink wine. We are already planning a couple of rosé parties this summer, where we end up tasting about three dozen different versions, and invariably there is something for everyone.
Just posted pink recently, and along with some recommendations, there is a family friendly, SFW guest essay on Thinking Pink by my pal Amelia at the Woodstock Farmers Market. http://www.vtwinemedia.com/vt_wine_press/?p=2416
Cheers!
Thanks, Todd – that tasting sounds like an awesome idea!
I should add that while I've gotten mostly positive reaction to the PB article, I have had a very small amount of upset people contacting me about it. So, yeah, the topic is definitely edgy! :) I am 100% serious about my stance being from the standpoint of relationship compromise and fun and female empowerment on this piece – I guess that got a little lost in the presentation for some (which is understandable).
The pink parties are always a hit, I highly suggest them.
Hey, I figure the tone is appropriate for the medium, but can imagine you getting some flack for being the messenger who uses it. In all fairness, guys need reminders sometimes, and it helps to speak their romance language.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rosé
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Ha! Love that you push the envelope! Totally appropriate for Playboy.com….I think some readers of 1winedude may have totally lost the humor in it and felt you were telling others to use wine as a vehicle to sleeping with random women. You win some, you lose some!
I don't know if Rose will "get you laid," but I think it will definitely help you gain a few points from women who love the pink stuff. I think Champagne impresses a girl the most (at least me anyway), so why not go for Rose Champagne! Works with an assortment of foods and makes her feel bright and bubbly:-) If nothing else, the fact that the guy has some wine knowledge and, as you said, isn't ordering tired old big ass Cab, is impressive:-)
Cheers!
@QuitWINEing – thanks! You nailed it (pun intended!) in terms of what I was going for. Rose bubbly – *great* call there, by the way! Part of the message i was going for was this: Nothing against big Cabs, but if your lady wants something else to drink, indulge her; after all, she puts up with all of your crap and is still with you!! :)
Big fan of rosé and you're right regarding it's versatility. It stands up to anything I have coming off the grill. I do prefer it in warm weather though because it's so refreshing and can replace the heavier reds that I don't prefer in warm weather. Bedrock Wine Co's 2010 Ode to LuLu is my favorite so far this year. Very light color, subtle floral and watermelon with just the right amount of acidity. Absolutely delicious.
@grillgod – thanks, great pick!
I make my own homemade strawberry wine every year. Why? Cause chicks dig it! I'm married so I can't pay all my adoring fans back with some quality time, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge and appreciate the sentiment that you put forth here. And my wife loves the wine too…
Jason
Jason – thanks! I'm sure that plenty of guys probably dig that stuff as well…