Affordable Rose Wine helps summer make its last stand

Wine Appraiser

Tonight our blind-tasting pair looks for a wine you can enjoy before summer is over. We will delve into some facts about Rose’ so you can make an informed purchase.

We will also talk about wine characteristics, terms, and general rules you may want to follow to make your wine tasting experience the best it can be.

We are also changing our format from a double-blind tasting to a single-blind tasting. NOOOOO! DON”T DO IT!!! Oh wait, what does that even mean? We will explain.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2023 Kirkland Provence $7.99 from Costco. The blend includes 36% Grenache, 28% Cinsault, 12% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, 5% Carignan, 5% Tibouren, and 4% Ugni Blanc. The Reverse Wine Snob says - Aroma: strawberry, cherry and a little watermelon plus some salty minerality and pleasing touches of wild herbs and flowers. (Bulk buy)

2. 2023 Ro Substance Rose $9.99 from Costco. This wine is made from the Syrah grape and comes from the Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington State. The Reverse Wine Snob says – Aroma: strawberry, melon and cherry, along with some light herbal notes. Tastes: Watermelon and some other tart fruit notes are added to all the other flavors from the nose. Smooth and a bit creamy, the wine also has great depth of flavor on the rich, juicy fruit.

3. 2023 Illahe Tempranillo Rose’ $19.99 from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits. The wine comes from https://www.illahevineyards.com/wines in the Willamette Valley from 100% Tempranillo Grapes that are picked early to give acidity. 25% barrel and 75% tank fermented. 3.22 pH (this is low so should be bright and crisp). The winemaker says Aromas of Lemon zest, spruce, rhubarb, and fleshy watermelon rind. Taste: juicy honeydew melon and Oregon strawberry finish.

Next week we will have a red wine Budget Bargain Hunt Episode. Each wine will cost less than $10. We will be tasting three wines that will include:

1. 2018 Bogle Petite Sirah that we purchased at Costco for $8.49.

2. 2016 Chateau Le Grand Moulin, Blaye Cotes De Bordeaux, purchased at Costco for $8.00.

3. 2020 Aglianico Puglia IGP, Epicuro Vino Rosso from Trader Joes for $5.99.