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Mateus Rosé, the medium pink, lightly sparkling, off-dry, fruity, and oh-so-easy-drinking wine from Portugal, appealed not only to cultural and literal royalty, but also to millions of people around the world. It was the most-sold wine in the world in the 1970s, but it was no one-hit wonder: this year, Mateus celebrates its 80th anniversary, and it’s still going strong.
Summer is a natural companion to the chill and tartness of these wines, so I make a point of seeking out a stockpile of my favourites at the beginning of May to get me through the season.
There’s no doubt that rosé wines have come of age. But why now?
FROM THE ARCHIVE: Canada isn’t as densely planted in vines as Italy, France, and Spain, but vineyards can be found from coast to coast. To the west are wineries on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and on the eastern seaboard are a few in Newfoundland and New Brunswick, with many more in Nova Scotia
The popularity of rosé has given rise to wineries creating rosé production programs rather than treating it as a poor cousin to red and white wine.
The cosmetic industry seems to have drunk the rose Kool-Aid, and there are plenty of rose-infused products on the market.
It’s true. A rose by any other name would be delicious. Rose essence and rosewater, both distillates of rose petals, are turning up in swishy cocktails at your favourite watering holes and in desserts at upscale restaurants.
