The temperature is on the rise and Zeus seems to be taking days off with increasing frequency, this can only mean one thing, it is time to replenish our stocks, as we are rolling into rosé season.
Shaking things up a little, we are taking a brief foray outside of our treasured Provence, and paying a visit to the dramatic vistas and vineyards of Switzerland’s very own sunshine state – the Valais.
As many of you will already know, Robert Tamaracaz of Domaine des Muses is one of the stewards of Swiss wines, showcasing their greatness and potential to an eager international audience. Today we take a look at his delicious Dôle Blanche.
A gorgeous rosé saignée, Robert’s 2022 Dôle Blanche is a classic Swiss mix of Pinot Noir and Gamay, picked from a selection of vineyards around the Coteaux de Sierre (Left Bank of the Rhône). This region boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it perfect for producing ripe red grapes for rosé wines. A pale, slightly salmon pink hue in the glass, this wine opens with an intoxicatingly delicate nose, filled with raspberries and strawberries.
On the palate, the attack is fresh and vibrant with a lovely lifting acidity, whilst also providing ample depth and weight. Juicy, pure raspberries, pomegranates and strawberries come through clearly accompanied by a little gooseberry twang and incredibly subtle notes of spices on the finish.
This rosé manages to find a great balance between interesting complexity and fruitiness in a wine that is deliciously easy drinking when young and develops warmth and spice when aged. The finish is long and harmonious. This is an exquisite, elegant, and endlessly enjoyable rosé wine which will perfectly accompany these coming afternoons in the sun as well as act as the perfect partner to a variety of appetizers, salads, tomato fondue and Asian cuisine. Serve slightly chilled around 8 degrees C.
Domaine des Muses Dole Blanche ‘Tradition’ 2022 £33
This classic Swiss mix of Pinot Noir and Gamay (Saignées) is picked from a selection of vineyards around the Coteaux de Sierre (Left Bank of the Rhône). Thermoregulated fermentations and aging in stainless steel vats this wine has a pale, slightly salmon pink hue.
Delicate raspberry scents radiate from the nose. On the palate, the attack is fresh, then reveals raspberry and strawberry fruity and velvety flavours. The Dôle blend manages to balance interesting complexity and fruitiness in a wine that is deliciously easy drinking when young and develops warmth and spice when aged. The finish is long and harmonious. This is a Rosé wine of wonderful elegance. Fantastic with appetizers, salads, tomato fondue and Asian cuisine.
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