"Pink Criquet 2006" news and stories

Pink Criquet 2006 Rosé Wine is 13% abv. and an Appellation Bordeaux Rosé from France. The slim and elegant silver label with a bright pink criquet on it, is set off by the metallic pink screw top. Don't make the mistake that this is an inferior wine because of the screw top, because it is anything but. Many great wine makers are switching to screw tops and plastic corks to prevent their wines from becoming "corked." This is where a wine has been bottled with a cork contaminated with TCA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole) which can ruin the taste and smell of the wine, giving it musty aromas and tastes. It is estimated that as many as 3% to 7% of all wines have TCA contamination, but you don't have to worry about that with the Pink Criquet.

Pink Criquet 2006 is made with 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Bordeaux. A percentage of the grapes are left to sit on their skins for a short time after crushing so that it picks up more flavor and color, in a process called saignée. This gives the wine its deep, solid, bright rosé color and complex flavors.

The aroma is that of deep red fruit. Berries of all kinds, apples, with a wisp of citrus. I was chopping some Buddha's Hand citrus the other day and caught faint notes in this wine. The taste is crisp and refreshingly dry with good fruit, sweet berries and tart citrus, and even a hint of cranberry. All with a medium light and smooth body. A bit of acid and tannins make this a nice sipping wine that works in the summer or winter. You can also serve it as a before dinner aperitif. Served well chilled it is crisper and lighter, but if you serve it a bit warmer it becomes deeper and fuller, almost like one of the light red wines.