Since we Northern Hemisphereans are enjoying summer right about now, how about a nice pink wine today?
The Costaripa RosaMara Chiaretto is from Italy’s Lombardy region in the northern part of the country, near Lake Garda. It’s a lovely rosato that shows a rich pink color in the glass. That alone is worth the price of admission, $18 per bottle at a wine store in Los Angeles, $12 by the glass where I had it.
Four great Italian grapes make up the blend: 60% Gropello, 30% Marezemino, and 5% each of Sangiovese and Barbera. The wine sees some French oak aging and derives a wonderfully full mouthfeel from it. I pick up a field of strawberries and an herbal play on the nose, with the palate showing very nice acidity. It’s fruity and dry, which is what rosé should be. There’s an element which seems part floral and part herbal in the flavor profile. The smell of basil from a nearby pizza really seemed to be made especially for it.
