A Salmon Hue

Today I helped herd Fourth Graders on skis around the Mendenhall Campground. They all got back on the bus relatively unscathed and I had just enough energy to go around a couple more times. The snow is really starting to break down and get mushy with lots of pinecones and pine needles mixed in. The forecast is calling for rain the rest of the week, so things are not looking good in the valley for snow, but the Eaglecrest trails should hold up for a while. The Upper Nordic Loop is set now too and the significant elevation gain will ensure that the snow up there hangs on for a while, fingers crossed.

My husband is making a Valentine’s Day dinner for us tonight because we both have meetings tomorrow. I believe steak and seafood are on the menu and think that the most versatile wine for pairing with these foods is Brut Rosé Champagne. It is subtle enough for any kind of “Surf” and robust enough for the “Turf” part of our meal. On my way back from the campground I decided to scope out what is available in Juneau in the way of pink bubbles.

Standard big house Champagnes are the only ones available in Juneau, you will not find any grower/producer Champagnes anywhere in this town. Veuve Clicquot Rosé can be found at the 7-11 resembling Breeze In. After many years of only making their cost prohibitive vintage rosé, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin reintroduced this non-vintage rosé in 2005. It is a solid pleaser of a Champagne with no surprises and great enjoyability.

Moët & Chandon NV Rosé Imperial is also available at the Breeze In. I have no first hand experience with this wine, but this is what Wine Spectator had to say about it,” A fresh rosé, displaying flavors of raspberry, fig, tangy cherry and smoke, with well-integrated acidity. Focused and harmonious, with a spiced, lip-smacking finish.”

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé NV is available at Fred Meyer and, in my opinion, stands out from the other wines. It has some unique characteristics that set it apart without being over-bearing or putting it off of food. This is what Wine Spectator has to report about it, “Exotic notes of candied orange peel, cinnamon and kirsch mark this intense rosé, which stays lightweight and elegant, with a silky texture and a lingering aftertaste of dried berry and spice.”

Finally, I would like to mention a Champagne that Costco has bottled under its Kirkland brand. For $25 it is hard to beat the Kirkland Signature Brut Rosé Champagne as it accomplishes what any Brut Rosé should and that is to elevate a moment in time.

I think one of the reasons that I am so partial to bubbly rosé is because oftentimes the color is reminiscent of salmon and if you investigate for yourself, you will find this is especially true of the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé.

Mel