Wine: 2008 Albemarle Rosé
Winery: Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, 3550 Blenheim Road, Charlottesville; information: KlugeEstate.com
Composition: 33 percent Merlot, 32 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 32 percent Cabernet Franc, 2 percent Malbec, 1 percent Petit Verdot
Description: This blend of five classic Bordeaux grapes is dry, fruit forward and complex with notes of berries and peach. Fermented in stainless steel. Best served chilled, it is perfect sitting-and-sipping deck wine. With it considered to be a versatile food wine, Kluge recommends pairing it with Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican food. Thirteen percent alcohol.
Cost: $13
Where to buy: Corks and Kegs, Total Wine (North and South), selected Kroger stores, Sam's Club, McGuire Park Pharmacy
Fast fact: Rosé wines usually are made with red grapes. Skins are left on only for a short period during fermentation to give the wine color (salmon pink in the Albemarle Rosé). Mixing red and white wines to create a rosé is rare. Bulk wines, often called blush wines, are sweet. According to The Nielsen Co., sales of rosés were up 5.2 percent nationwide during the past 12 months, though volume was down 4.4 percent.
Upcoming wine event: Annual Mini Cooper Rally, Saturday at Cooper Vineyards, Louisa; Cooper and James River Cellars wines; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $15 advance, $20 at gate; bring your Mini Cooper; information: (540) 894-5253 or CooperVineyards.com
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