Taking the Bloom Off the Rosé
Has the European Union lost its sense of taste? The unique character of rosé wines is so widely recognized that in France, they outsell white wine. But later this month, European Union representatives will vote on a proposal to change the standard for rosés by permitting them to be made from blends of red and white wines. With that vote, the union now threatens to damage rosés’ carefully cultivated reputation and undermine vintners’ record of quality.
First, a little explanation. Rosés are not, as some people believe, a mix. In Provence, the most frequently used method for producing a true rosé is called maceration, a delicate process in which the skins of crushed red grapes are allowed to remain in contact with the juice for several hours before they are removed and the fermentation proceeds.… Seguir leyendo »