What do you do when you get a text on a Sunday morning from friends that asks “What are you doing this afternoon? We’re having a 2:00 pm rosé tasting along with paella!”
Now what were you thinking? There is only one answer to this question. You say “Yes!,” of course.
My dear friends Susan and Jay are fellow wine lovers, travelers and francophiles. They are some of the most fun-loving people I know, and as Jay puts it, “the best last-minute friends you’ll ever have.” Me — I have always been a planner, and every year I resolve to be more spontaneous. So this Sunday invitation was a gift from heaven and there was no way I was turning it down.
Susan adores rosé and it is her wine selection of choice. I have been happy to see the popularity of rosé turn around in the United States in recent years and to have many more selections available now. A French rosé is much drier and not as sweet as the old pink wines at which connoisseurs would turn up their noses, and far more food friendly — plus, there’s nothing like a glass of chilled rosé when the weather turns warm. Today’s rosé offerings are as diverse in hue as they are in flavor.
A rosé can be made from any red grape varietal and from different countries. Some of my favorites are from Provence (surprise, surprise), a rosé-specializing region of France, where they are usually a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan grapes but can include Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre. This article from epicurious isn’t recent, but it’s a fun read. And this Five Minute Guide to Rose Wine is a good backgrounder.
Jay showing off the limited magnum from Bandol he snagged to our friend Lynn
While Jay is definitely more a fan of French red wines, he loves Susan so much that he has a rosé tasting of the new releases each year so she can find her favorite to add to their cellar. Jay also loves to cook and always trying to perfect his paella, so how could anyone say no to both rosé AND paella?? Sign me up for the annual rosé tasting any day.
We started off the tasting with a pink sparkler from Napa Valley.
Side by side vintages from both 2016 and 2017. Guess which one we all liked the best?
The views from Susan & Jay’s 19th floor terrace are spectacular. Wait, was that a good idea to have a wine tasting this high up?
The nuances in color in different rosés is subtle but striking. Rose is the little black dress of pink wines, just at home on the patio as it is in the dining room.
The paella is almost ready…and just as beautiful as it was delicious!
I have decided that rosé wine bottles are the most beautiful of all. This one was actually my favorite taste of the day.
Clowning around in the kitchen with the chef
After tasting each of the rosés, Jay couldn’t stand it any longer and had to open a favorite French red. It was superb.
We ate and talked and laughed on the terrace from late afternoon until the sun went down.
Great food, amazing wines, and treasured friends. For me, that’s what life is all about. Merci beaucoup, Susan and Jay, for an afternoon to remember. Santé!
Wonderful presentation! Looks likea magazine article . Maybe your best yet . Very informative .
Yes, I, too, said yes to the rose. It was a fabulous afternoon (and into the evening) ! Great friends and great wine – life does.not get any better !
I agree wholeheartedly with your approach to living. What a splendid afternoon all the way around. You and your fun-loving friends are an inspiration to being spontaneous in life!
Also, your skill at photo journalism continues to delight me. 🤗
Oh my goodness how much fun and what beautiful pictures; your friends AWESOME looking and fab smiles.
So love the dish Jay prepared; yummmmy.