The Days Of Drinking Pink Are Upon Us

Every year around this time, I have at least one conversation that goes something like this:

Friend (or date, if I'm lucky): Hey, feel like grabbing a drink somewhere outside? This weather is spectacular!

Me: Sure, I'm up for anywhere, just as long as I don't have to sit in the sun. Or near flowers. I'm afraid of bees.

Friend/Date: Cool. Let's go to blah blah.

So off we go. Then, at the table, our exchange continues.

Me: Sigh. I don't know what to get. It's too warm for red wine. And beer is so filling. Hmm. Oh! I know. I'll have a glass of rose (pronounced rose-ay).

Friend/Date: Gross! I can't believe you're going to order that! I thought you were like, a "foodie." Pink wine is so sweet, and kind of trashy. I'm surprised.

Me: Oh, here we go again. I'm not talking about white zinfandel (which by the way is trashy, in my book), ok? I'm talking about delicious, simple but interesting, dry rose.

Friend/Date: What?

Me: Basically, rose is red wine that's not allowed to get to the point of turning red. With red wine, the grape skins have contact with the grape juice for a long time. With rose, the skins have shorter contact time with the juice, just enough for the wine to acquire a pinkish hue.

Friend/Date: Oh. Well, does it taste sweet? I tried pink wine once and it was totally sweet and disgusting.

Me: Was it at a frat party? Do you remember how much you had or where it came from?

Friend/Date: Ha, yeah! And, um...no.

Me: That's what I thought. See, rose is everywhere in Southern France - in fact, I fell in love with it when I was in Provence years ago. And it used to be hard to find in the US, but now most decent bars and restaurants here have at least one by the glass during warmer months. Also, you can find bottles of it at any respectable wine store. My favorite shop in DC, Bells, carries a seriously good selection at fair prices. A guy there recently recommended an Italian rose called Ciro Librandi and oh MY. It was just delicious.

Waiter: Hello, you two! Have we decided what we want to drink this evening?

Me: Yes. I'll have a glass of the rose.

Friend/Date: I think I'll try that, but it's not sugary, is it? I really don't want to have a headache tomorrow. Heh, heh.

Waiter: No. The rose is very dry, and quite good. And did you know that all wines by the glass are two dollars off tonight?

Me: Woo hoo! Let's stay for a while.

Friend/Date: Sweet.