In case you haven’t noticed—

This makes me happy.  Why?  Because Rose is good.  And I like good things.  Pretty much every wine person I know has a special affinity for a good dry Rose.  Why is this, exactly?  Why do we all freak out over Rose?  Why do we become like fiends, trying to find the absolute most perfect one ever made (that year)?

There are a variety of factors, not all of which necessitate a long conversation.  But I should start, of course, with reminding you that if you’re still one of those people that THINK they don’t like Rose, I plea with you; try this one.  Especially if you like white wine.  If you like white, chances are you like Rose too.  You just don’t know it yet.  If you think you don’t like white wine?!  Well, I’ll work on YOU later…

Allow me to introduce you to my new baby, Domaine Sainte Lucie “MiP” Rose, 2012 vintage from the Provence region of France.  “MiP” stands for “Made in Provence”, giving this wine an accessible and memorable package.  This picture doesn’t really do it justice; although it does look frosty and inviting, you really have to see this wine in person to appreciate it’s beautiful color.  Pale, pale, pale rose petal pink.  This is a blend of mostly Cinsault, with a bit of Grenache and Syrah.  My favorite thing about this wine is the nose- you’d have to be a crazy not to realize you’re in for something special when you get your first inhale of this wine.  It is completely alive, vibrant, and bursting with fresh notes of wildflowers, passionfruit, a little prickly pineapple, wild strawberries and a minerally touch of wet stone.  The mouthfeel is silky and addicting.  A pleasantly dry body, and a finish that lingers, refreshes, and cleanses.  It feels like satin.  In my opinion, there is something nothing short of magical in this wine.  That which cannot be explained.  Must be experienced.  But that IS the point of drinking wine, isn’t it?

Which brings me back to my original question- why does Rose captivate us wine-lovers?  In essence, I believe it to be because Rose is just fun.  Rose reminds us that wine is meant to be enjoyed- today.  It’s pink color is flirtatious and suggests an air of frivolity that is not present in other wines.  It is inviting.  It doesn’t just ask to be drunk, it begs to be.  It’s not serious or heavy handed (although, there are of course serious Rose drinkers), it just invites you to come play.  NOW.

My Google search yielded no quality results, so that’s as good of an explanation as I think we are going to get:

So, in closing, YOU NEED THIS WINE.  And you need it now!  It is $17 a bottle and will be in residence at Cellar on Greene and available for sampling until it runs out!  Which it will, at some point.  So hop to it.  You’ll be glad you did.