Still on the Fence About Rosé?

Rosé wine has become more popular in the past few years and if you haven't already noticed it's my choice for spring and summer. I always add it to my list this time of the year.

They are crisp and refreshing and can be paired with many of the lighter foods we serve in the warmer weather.

The comments from last week's post prompted me to do another post on rosé wines and to help you change your mind about pink and rosé wine.

Way back in the 70's it used to be that pink wines were for the "ladies who lunch" crowd and white zinfandel was 'it'.

Now, generations later and in a new millennium there have been many changes around the world that have taken us to new heights and winemaking is no exception.

Winemakers today have the tools and knowledge to make wine that will please every palate. With that said you should dispel any thoughts you still have that pink or rosé wines are only sweet.

This week our local wine shop was featuring rosé wines from several different regions in the U.S. and France. The wines were all different colors from a light apricot to a rich rosé color. I bought a merlot rosé, syrah rosé, pinot noir blanc, and a montepulciano rosé.

Each of these grapes produces a rosé wine that is dry with the crisp acidity of a white wine and the complexity and depth of a red wine and still has characteristics of the grape.

These dry rosé wines are perfect with summer salads, grilled fish and seafood, light pasta dishes and chicken. You can also just sit back in your lounge chair and enjoy an crisp chilled glass of rosé while you are waiting for the grill to heat up.

You can certainly find a semi-sweet or off-dry rosé wine. The Mateus brand has off-dry rosé wines that can be found in most areas. There are other off-dry rosés that you wine shop will have in their stock. These wines can be enjoyed with fruit desserts. Great for summer barbecues.

The lesson here is to seek out what you like and give it a try. If you are still on the fence about rosé don't hesitate to visit your wine shop and ask questions. You will definitely be able to get the answers you need to make the right selection.

There are wines for everyone, dry or sweet, semi-dry or semi-sweet in both sparkling wine and still wines. So be sure to seek out the style you prefer and Taste Wine and Enjoy!


Salute!
Winelady Cooks

May is For Rosé

I just read that May is National Wine Month in the UK. I don't know if it's going to get much press here in the states since it is being supported by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust which is based in England along with wine retailers, agents, and importers.

It's a great marketing ploy to promote wines and tastings. Of course, this can boost sales and it gives the consumers an opportunity to try wines they otherwise would never drink. But that's in the UK and we are thousands of miles away.

Don't fret though. If you are in the New York metro area and you have a chance to visit Long Island Wine Country you are in for a treat.

Several wineries in the Long Island Wine region will feature their newly released Rosé wines during the month of May. This is the perfect time to taste a wine you may not otherwise try.

In the spirit of National Wine Month, why not pick up a "pink" wine at your local wine shop and give it a try. For all who are red wine lovers give Rosé wine a fighting chance and try a glass. Close your eyes and just take a sip of the wine without thinking about the color. You will be surprised at the strength and flavors of the Rosé.

For white wine lovers, give Rosé a taste. Close your eyes and don't think about it being pink. You will be surprised, totally surprised. I don't want to give away the finish and spoil your enjoyment.

This is the perfect time of the year to try Rosé wines. They should be served chilled -- perfect for a warm day -- and they are very food friendly -- perfect for grilled foods as well as light summer dishes.

Try It!

Salute!
Winelady Cooks

Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been in a cookie baking frenzy lately. It could be the upcoming family gatherings that are planned, and yes I admit, it's my sugar craving.

I like homemade desserts and sweets. So I'm happy to be baking cookies and cakes and I usually make extra for us to snack on with our tea and coffee.

We have also been enjoying coconut lately so I decided to add it to my cookies. They were very yummy!

This is a very easy recipe I found on all recipes.com which I adapted for my cookies.

Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven 350 degrees.
2. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl and set aside.
3. In medium bowl cream the butter and both sugars until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until light and fluffy.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until blended and stir in the coconut and chocolate chips.
5. Use a medium cookie scoop and drop onto a parchment lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
7. Cool on wire racks.

Sugar glaze the cookies, this is the best part -- if you love coconut. 

If you don't like the coconut, just omit it from the recipe and make a chocolate ganache topping.   They will be just as yummy -- I mean delicious!  I forget I'm grammy when I eat cookies.


I've shared this with:
Full Plate Thursday

Sweet As Sugar



Mangia!
Winelady Cooks

Welcome Spring With A Celebration

Finally, the flower buds are sprouting and the beautiful pink blossoms on the trees make me happy.

This is a great week to celebrate the beauty of nature, the warmth of the spring sun, and Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day.

Keep the Dos Equos on ice and chill the sparkling wines and you'll be ready for the Fiesta and the toast to your favorite "lady" of the day.

I'm a firm believer that Mother's Day (and Father's Day) is a day to toast the person or persons in our lives that is special to us. Share your love with those who made a difference in your life.

A sparkling wine (or sparkling water) makes any toast a special event. My favorite spring and summer wines are rose and sparkling wines. They each play a role in making a perfect pair with our favorite foods.

Rose wines are light to medium wines that can appeal to almost everyone. They are sometimes misunderstood as wines for ladies who lunch. In reality, dry rose wines are the best of both worlds. They have the acidity of white wines and the complexity of red wines.

Sparkling wines can be either dry or sweet. You can enjoy an off-dry sparkling wine to enjoy with Cinco de Mayo's spicy dishes or a Mother's Day dessert.

If you are firing up the grill this weekend try a dry rose. It will stand up to grilled burgers, chicken and salads dressed with a vinaigrette dressing.

Enjoy your festive weekend and celebrate with a refreshing dry wine or something a little sweet and a rose for your favorite lady.

Happy Spring!


Salute!
Winelady Cooks