By Leslie Sbrocco–
2021 Bouchaine Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Carneros Napa Valley, California $29 https://bouchaine.com
One of Napa’s best spots to visit is Bouchaine. The 100-acre estate is located in the Carneros district that straddles Napa and Sonoma and overlooks the San Francisco Bay. The singularity of the spot is that sunny days mixed with morning fog and cool nighttime temperatures—along with winemaker Chris Kajani’s talent—create wines of elegance and freshness. This pink is a unique look at Pinot Noir made in a style called Vin Gris. This French term describes pale pink wines that go through a winemaking process called “saigneìe” where juice from a portion of the crushed Pinot Noir grapes is ‘bled’ from the tank—a rather graphic term for saying the freshly-crushed juice is drained from the tank to make a light Vin Gris while the rest makes a concentrated red Pinot Noir. This wine is strawberry-scented and fun and is truly summer in a glass.
Smith-Devereux ‘La Fleur’ Rosé, California $25 https://www.smithdevereux.com
This abundantly fruity pink is an homage to winemaker Ian Devereux White’s mom, Chef Lynne Devereux, as well as to his French heritage. As he says on the stylish bottle’s back label, “Here’s to you, Ma.” It’s a refreshing yet complex rosé with a whisper of sweetness and lovely soft mouthfeel. It’s a wine meant for food from brunch fare to grilled salmon, roast pork loin to barbeque ribs. If you can’t get this limited-edition wine, check out the entire roster from Smith Devereux. The winery’s background is all about music and wine and their wines share a sense of whimsy while being focused and flavorful. As the Smith Devereaux team says, “Every bottle tells a story. We hope that our wines will become a part of yours.”
Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area” and “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.”
Published on June 9, 2022
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