Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/960891
april 2018 / the tasting panel / 63 REPORT Ré experts have spoken: After it emerged as one of the biggest beverage trends of 2017, rosé is officially here to stay. Once referred to as "summer water," rosé has finally proved itself as a year-round staple, and it's easy to see why. Once dismissed as a simple thirst quencher meant solely for gulping down on a hot day, today's well-made rosé hails from various regions all over the world and is one of the most versatile styles of wine on the market, ranging from dry to sweet and light-bodied to full. Sommeliers and shop owners are increasingly touting their preferred produc- ers and regions to consumers, as background knowledge is especially vital when it comes to selecting quality rosé. According to Ryan Arnold, Divisional Wine Director of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a single grape variety can range so much in style that it isn't always ideal to choose rosé by that criterion. "Location and variety don't dictate any strict flavor profile; it's dictated by the winery," he explains, noting that a few specific Old World regions like Provence, Bandol, and Tavel serve as exceptions due to their more distinct styles. Arnold also recommends that those newer to rosé select by hue, as lighter rosés tend to fall on the crisper, drier side whereas darker-colored rosés are fuller-bodied and often—though not always—sweeter. Always in Season RETAILERS AND SOMMS ALIKE LAUD THE STAYING POWER OF ROSÉ by Vicki Denig PHOTO: CHRISTINA SLATON Ryan Arnold, Divisional Wine Director at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, recommends those new to rosé select by hue, as that can signal whether the wine is dry or sweet. e