Rosé Adoration Part II – Tegernseerhof Zweigelt Rosé, 2007

The first installment of our multi-post Rosé-pushing mission got a great response at the shop. Lots of people popped in to buy the St. Martin and, as predicted, our pink wine drinking converts are now legion – we’re building an army of Rosé crusaders!  After reading the Rosé Wine entry in my edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine, I think we might have to march team-pink on author (and prolific wine writer) Hugh Johnson. He finishes the entry with a typical Brit poke a the narrowness of the American palette when he writes “The new world is in general rather bemused by the concept of Rosé“. This seems like a little jibe, but you should take it personally. Our national identity as Wine Lovers is being challenged by Hugh. Let me translate his brit-speak for you: “ Americans have cardboard palettes and can only taste monster, high-alcohol red wines and over-oaked Chardonnay“. What’s that? You think I’m reading too much into it? Maybe, but I think drinking a bottle or two of this next wine will show those Brits that we can appreciate wine in all its nuances.

Joking aside, this really is something different. The name gives us a peek at the complexity of the wine – Tegernseerhof Zweigelt Rosé – say that a few times fast. Made in Wachau, Austria from Zweigelt, the country’s most planted grape, the “T Rosé” as it is affectionately known around here, is a deep-pink stunner. It has a big nose of ripe strawberry, watermelon and lime rind, and wet cement. Much of the same carries over to the mouth – but here it’s the body and texture that really stand out. The wine is big and dense, with a wonderful, almost waxy feel to it. The flavors unpack one at a time. New nuances show up with every sip. Acidity is perfectly integrated into the wine, but its presence cannot be denied – one glass will have you salivating, giving the impression of serious juiciness. Unlike many pink wines, the Tegernseerhof has the stuffing to hang out for a couple of years. It’s a great match for roasted or grilled chicken, spicy Thai food, or quiche. What could be more festive than pink wine with your Sunday brunch?

Stop in and pick up a couple of bottles. Diversity is the best revenge for slights against our National Wine Drinking Identity!

Tegernseerhof Zweigelt Rosé, 2007 – $12.75/bottle