Today’s Selection – Acrobat Rose of Pinot Noir – Oregon, 2011

For the last five years or so I have spent my summers sampling Rose wines.  Warm weather makes me crave crisp, refreshing and fruity wine.  The Acrobat Rose of Pinot Noir was a great find at Binny’s for around $15.

Acrobat is the value label of the well known King Estates in Oregon.  This rose of pinot noir is made using the traditional french method of saignee. Using this wine making process, a portion of wine is bled off after pressing – allowing the wine to have a short time on the skin.  That short bit of time produces a beautiful pink color. Click here to learn more about how Rose wine is made.

The color of pink lemonade

Acrobat Rose of Pinot Noir 2011

100% Pinor Noir

13% Alcohol by Volume

3500 Case Produced

Enjoy the Journey Wine Rating: First Base

The wine screams summer.  It is the color of pink lemonade in the glass and makes you want to kick up your feet on a steamer chair.  The only way that I can describe the aroma is that it like a watermelon Jolly Rancher.  You will get a big mouthful of strawberry – a big fruity flavor with a sophisticated, dry finish.

I would recommend this as a patio wine, as an aperitif, or paired with a big green salad. Have fun with it…that is what it is about.

Today’s Selection – King Estate Signature Pinot Gris 2011

In preparation for our upcoming Oregon wine adventure, Today’s Selection features a pre-#WBC12 tasting (the 1st of many?) of an Oregon Pinot Gris:  King Estate’s 2011 Signature Pinot Gris. 

This serendipitous selection was procured by our neighbor and friend, Chris Swindells, who sashayed over to Binny’s to seek recommendations for chilled whites to serve on our deck last night.

100% Pinot gris

13% alcohol by volume, 100,000 cases produced

Enjoy the Journey Wine Rating: First Base

It’s hard to overstate King Estate’s impact on the Oregon wine industry, as it was founded in the early ’90s with the mission to produce enough high quality Oregon Pinot gris to develop a sustainable national market for the wine.  Mission accomplished!

In the U.S., if wine from this grape is from Oregon, it’s known as “Pinot gris.”  If from California, it’s “Pinot grigio.”  Oregon Pinot gris is typically copper pink in color and can range widely from too sweet (in my opinion) to fresh, light and crisply acidic.  King Estate’s 2011 Signature Pinot Gris hits high notes of green apple, peach, pineapple, and a bit of citrus.  The aroma is a nice berry mix, and the finish doesn’t fade fast like lesser Pinot gris.

Pairings

We did an OUTSTANDING pairing with  the delicious, triple cream St. Andre cheese and tangy Michigan cherries.  We kept sipping it as we dove into the roasted chicken infused with wine and herbs entree, and the wine didn’t hold up well with those flavors, but that was our fault for the stupid pairing.

You can find King’s Estate 2011 Signature Pinot Gris at Binny’s and at kingestate.com for around $17 a bottle.