We are excited to share three new killer rosés that have recently hit the shelves here at Vine Arts. All three are produced from atypical varieties and showcase the diversity possible in the world of rosé. These three rosés are the perfect wines to carry you through the rest of summer, straight into Labour Day long weekend. 

Field Recordings Fiction Rosé – Paso Robles, California

We have carried the Field Recordings wines for some time and they are always a big hit! Winemaker, Andrew Jones, seeks out unique plots of grapes from around California, making the most of underrated and little known grapes from vineyards that have have piles of potential, but perhaps haven’t achieved the acclaim they deserve. Field Recordings’ Fiction project focuses on delectable blends, composed of multiple grape varieties from multiple vineyards. 

This year we got our hands on all of the delicious rosé that Field Recordings sent to Alberta. This rosé is an unusual blend of Valdiguie, Molinara, and Grenache from sustainably farmed vineyards in California. At a low 10.5% alcohol, this wine is still dry and fresh. It has notes of juicy guava, mellow strawberry, and a hint of herbality. With punchy, tart acidity to match the summery, fruity flavours, how can you go wrong? It is also made with minimal sulphur, no additives, and is vegan friendly. 

Domaine Terra Vecchia Une Ile… Rosé – Corsica, France

This enticing rosé hails from the rugged mediterranean island of Corsica. Under French rule, but located much closer to Italy, its historical relationship with Italy shows in its viticulture. Though labelled under long, unfamiliar Coriscan names, many of the grape varieties are in fact grapes we know and love from Italy and greater Europe (nielluccio, for example, is the Corsican name for sangiovese). Terra Vecchia, meaning “ancient land,” has been planted with vines since the early 1800s. It has existed continuously as a vineyard, but in 2006 it was replanted by the current vigneron, Jean Francois Renucci, with typically Cosican varieties. 

This rosé is made from 100% Nielluccio (sangiovese) that is harvested at night. A combination of direct press and macerated grapes are used to make this pale, salmon coloured rosé. It is aged in a concrete tank with its lees, which add texture to this very mineral and complex rosé. Terra Vecchia Une Ile…Rosé is perfect for sipping outside. It has bright, invigorating acidity and is dry and crisp. It has flavors of juicy grapefruit and red currant which are balanced by a subtle chalky note.   

Tenuta Viglione Rosato – Puglia, Italy

Tenuta Viglione is located in Puglia, in the far southern “heel” of Italy. Giovanni Zullo is a third generation winemaker. His family’s vineyards are deeply rooted in the love of good food and wine, and Giovanni honoured his family’s passion by seeking to advance the quality of the wines and modernizing the winery. The vines are grown organically on rocky limestone soils. Primitivo (Zinfandel in North America) thrives in this hot, mediterranean climate and makes some of the region’s most popular wines. This wine is made of 100% Primitivo harvested early to retain freshness and balance. It is vinified and aged in stainless steel to highlight the purity of the fruit flavours. It has a lovely floral nose and has flavours of red cherry and delicate red raspberry. It is brilliant ruby-pink in colour and has nice, subtle tannins on the finish. This rosé is delicious on its own, but it will certainly stand up to a meal as well.