White Zinfandel has certainly ruined many opportunities for roses in the United States. Slowly they are appearing in restaurants and at wine bars, yet, it is only the brave that are drinking this pink sensation. The rest of us, myself included until recently, don’t want people to believe that we might be drinking White Zinfandel. In reality, the only person that will care, and should care, what you are drinking is you, unless someone else is buying your drink, but that is more geared for the topic of economics, which I won’t be covering here.

I was recently at a wine bar in Paris with friends for dinner. When it came time to order our wine, I was looking at the reds, and by accident I ordered a Cotes-du-Provence thinking it was red. The server came back with our drinks. We had a rainbow of wines sitting on our table, one ordered white, another red, and apparently I ordered a rosé. A bit reluctant at first, I considered sending it back, but quickly remembered the French customer service policy…

I should take the time here to fill you in on the astonishing practice of the French customer service. In France, as with most of Europe, tips are included because the servers and bartenders are receiving hourly wages. Without having to worry about tips you can be a bit more honest with your customers, I guess. The French take it one extra step; they are never wrong, even when they are wrong actually they are not. In the U.S. it’s the customer is always right, well in France the customer is always wrong.

In my situation I was wrong, but why annoy my server because she did smile when I ordered, there must be something good here. In turn, I accepted my fault and drank the wine. There are some mistakes in life worth making. I never knew springtime could be more enjoyable until I started drinking rosés. I later learned that in Paris it’s hip to drink pink. There is nothing like getting the seal of approval from your server when ordering a wine, for me at least, I’m more excited. That smile I received was her way of telling me that I would not regret my decision.

Rosés are made in every region in France, but the South is more known for their winsome, approachable wines, in particular Provence. I am drinking a 2006 La Ferme Blanche from Cassis. The color on it is an orange pink, it is young, but generally best drank that way. On the nose is a slight tangerine and apricot fruit profile. Here is a good example of a rosé; it’s light, dry, not complex, well balanced and extremely enjoyable. The only way I can think to describe what I’m experiencing on my palate is lifesavers. This wine is the white lifesaver. There is flavor there, but it’s not as strong as the orange, green, or red. The white lifesaver is the subtle flavor; it doesn’t over power. I have had rosés with fish dishes, as well as meat dishes, though I would stay away from heavier meats.

While I write this I feel the urge to go to a restaurant by the water and order up a dozen oysters. Seeing that I’m in Paris, perhaps I’ll just take the rest of this bottle down to the Seine, have a picnic, and watch the sunset. This is a perfect springtime and summer wine and a great way to Wine Your Diet.

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