Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Organic Rosé

2023 Domaine Bousquet Organic Rosé ($13)

Domaine Bousquet´s Organic varietal series comprises a blend of estate and purchased organic fruit from the Uco Valley in the high Andean foothills of Argentina.

The grapes benefit from huge day/night temperature swings, achieving ripeness while retaining the juiciness. The wines are produced with a French sensibility and un-oaked to let the fruit shine through.

The grapes, sourced from the Uco Valley, are harvested early in the morning to preserve the freshness of the fruit. They are then fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts at a maximum temperature of 26°C/78.8°F for 10 days.

This rosé is produced from organic grapes consisting of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Syrah, 10% Pinto Grigio and 10% Viognier. It is pale salmon in color, with delicate red fruit and floral aromas. On the palate it has flavors of soft red fruits that are enhanced by the Syrah, some citrus as well as sweet fruit flavors without being a sweet wine. This rosé has nice acidity and finishes soft. [ABV: 12.5%, RS: 1.27 g/L, pH: 3.28, Acidity: 5.62 g/L]

This Domaine Bousquet Organic Rosé is a delightful sipper on a hot summer day, and a great value too! That makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Rosé

Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry Rosé ($13)

Corvezzo (“kor-VETZ-zoh”) is the leading name in organically grown, vegan wines from northeast Italy’s Veneto region.

Family-owned and run, Corvezzo has the largest acreage in Italy of certified organic Glera and Pinot Grigio grapes. 

Giovanni Corvezzo, owner/winemaker, believes organic farming gives his wines better balance.  According to Giovanni, his wines have not only adapted to organic farming, they have also thrived, becoming stronger, with better balance and producing higher quality fruit.

Corvezzo Prosecco Rosé is made with organic & vegan grapes consisting of 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir). It is produced via the Charmant Method with Fermentation lasting 60 days.

This Corvezzo Prosecco Rosé is pale salmon in color. On the nose it has very delicate fruit aromas of melon, strawberry, raspberry and floral notes. On the palate this Prosecco is light-bodied with citrus notes of grapefruit and strawberry, good acidity and finishes dusty dry. [ABV: 11.5, RS: 12 g/L]

Corvezzo Prosecco Rosé is certified fully organic in Europe, covering both viticulture and production in the winery. But, because of a difference in regulations, U.S. labels state that it is “Made with organic & vegan grapes.” Regardless, this Corvezzo Prosecco Rosé is light and tasty and perfect for sipping during these warm summer months. And, it this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Corvezzo

Behind the Cork™ - Fiol Rosé Prosecco

Fiol Rosé Prosecco ($22)

FIOL(FEE-yol) Prosecco DOC Rosé is a new Prosecco that launched in the U.S. just in time for summer!

More than just another Prosecco, FIOL Prosecco DOC Rosé is a sophisticated, distinctive Prosecco with a big personality. Their goal was to produce Prosecco in the authentic style, from the original Prosecco heartland in Treviso, before Prosecco became trendy. A Prosecco that goes back to its roots, reminding us all why Prosecco went on to take center stage in sparkling wines and why everyone has fallen in love with it.

 Behind FIOL are childhood friends Gian Luca Passi and Giovanni Ciani Bassetti, whose families have lived and farmed in the Prosecco heartland of Treviso for generations.

FIOL Prosecco DOC Rosé is produced using the Charmat Method, in Stainless Steel tanks, to preserve the fresh and vibrant flavors using 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Noir grapes that are fermented for a minimum of 60 days.

This FIOL Prosecco is a beautiful pale salmon color with subtle aromas of strawberry and raspberry from the Pinot Noir that go nicely with the lemon and white flower aromas of the Glera. On the palate, this Prosecco also has delicate notes of the strawberry along with the light bubbles and crisp acidity. [ABV: 11%, RS: 13 g/l]

This FIOL Prosecco Rosé is great as an aperitif, along with everyday meals or a real treat for special occasions. And, at this price, is a great value! That makes it the perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Fiol Prosecco DOC

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé

Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé ($13)

Domaine Bousquet was founded on virgin land in 1997 in the Gualtallary sub-zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina.

Today, the estate, run by daughter Anne Bousquet and husband Labid al Ameri, is Argentina’s largest exporter of wines made from certified organic & biodynamic grapes.

All wines are made from 100% certified organic fruit grown at a cool 4,000-foot-high altitude and crafted with a French winemaking sensibility.

This Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé is produced from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay grapes that are hand harvested. The first fermentation took place for 15 days, while the second fermentation to produce the carbonation, occurs in a stainless steel tank (Charmat Method), and lasts for about 30 days.

The Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé is pale salmon in color with delicate aromas of cherry along with floral notes. On the palate, it is light-bodied, dry (8.1 gm/L RS) with tiny bubbles, having red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry. It finishes dusty dry with just a hint of tartness.

Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé is great for a summer brunch, a cool glass in the afternoon, and pairs with most lighter-fare meals. And, at this price, makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - Summer Wines from Mack & Schuhle

It’s Summer! And time for some light and refreshing wines. Mack & Schuhle Importers have just the wines to cool and refresh you during these hot summer days!

Light wines are versatile and can be enjoyed on their own as a refreshing drink or paired with a wide range of summer dishes, from salads and grilled vegetables to seafood and lighter meats and they won’t overpower the flavors of lighter summer foods.

The flavor profiles of light wines, such as citrus, green apple, and floral notes, just shout freshness which is especially appreciated during the warm summer months.

Summer foods tend to be lighter and fresher. So, light wines will complement these foods well and enhance their flavors.

Mosketto Delicate Sweet Pink ($11.99) — Italians love to start off an evening, especially at a social gathering, with a glass of this delicious pink bubbly wine. It really doesn’t matter what time of year it is, the wine’s presence puts everyone in a good mood. The pleasant bubbles in this wine come from a natural carbonation process without the addition of CO2 or artificial flavors. It is produced in Italy from Brachetto and Moscato grapes.

This Mosketto is salmon in color with very delicate aromas. On the palate it has sweet flavors of white cherry and peach. At 5% Alcohol by volume (ABV), this is indeed a light and refreshing wine to enjoy throughout the summer (or anytime!).

Art of Earth Riesling ($11.99) — Any time is the right time for a Riesling.  Many wine lovers claim, however, that if there is one wine that is considered to be the best for warm weather, it has to be Riesling.

This Riesling is from the Reinhessen QBA in Germany and is produced in the dry, trocken style. It is pale gold in color with delicate aromas that include nectarine and citrus blossom. On the palate, this off-dry wine has flavors of green apple and pineapple with good acidity and finishes bright with some minerality.

This one is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan.

Artigiano Peach Bellini ($12.99) — It is said that Cipriani in Beverly Hills could only serve the Bellini during the summer months of the early 1900s, but nowadays this cocktail can be enjoyed year-round. A comparable alternative to the mimosa, Bellinis make an excellent brunch drink because of their fruit juice and light sparkling wine flavor.

This Belinni is from Spain and made from a blend of 100% organic white wine and peach puree. It’s got big peach flavor and is lightly carbonated. This is a sweet one with just 6% ABV.

With these hot summer months, these three wines are perfect to enjoy with friends and family. And, at these very affordable prices, make them great fits as the Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by Mack & Schühle