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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123667
Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas features rosés from Spain. "Brangelina" Rosé A Sellout Rosé is getting a hefty boost of star power this year, thanks to actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The Hollywood power couple on March 7 unveiled Miraval Rosé 2012 from their French vineyard; the first 6,000 bottles sold out in five hours. The Provence wine was only made available for sale in France, and via the Château Miraval website. The rosé was the first release from Chateau Miraval, a 1,000-acre estate in Correns, France, that Pitt and Jolie began leasing in 2008 and now own. The estate previously made a rosé known as Pink Floyd, named after the iconic rock band that had recorded their smash hit The Wall in a recording studio on the property. Chateau Miraval is a joint venture between the movie-star couple and the Perrin winemaking family, which owns Chateau Beaucastel in the Rhone Valley. Château de Beaucastel owner Marc Perrin describes Chateau Miraval's 2012 rosé vintage as an "aromatic wine with a round mouthfeel that is full of freshness." The estate is expected to release a white in August and a red next March. —MD 42 | MAY 2013 This has been key to the wine's increasing visibility and popularity, because rosé had a bad rap among U.S. consumers. The wine came to fame here in the 1970s, partially through off-dry, iconic brands like the Portuguese Mateus, packaged in a unique, curvy bottle. That was followed by the 1980s rise of white zinfandel, known for its blush color, sweet taste profile and value price. White zin was—and still is—quite popular. But it's never been considered a wine lover's wine, and its sugary, unsophisticated image not only made it difficult for operators to sell the classic red zinfandel, it also obscured some of the subtle flavors and pairing synergies that drier versions of rosé offer. That's why many guests today still think that any pinkishhued wine will be sweet, and as a result, they steer clear of it. Not that sweet is all bad: Some of the best-selling rosés onpremise still feature a slightly sweet taste profile. Lammi says that The Cosmopolitan's guests often like rosés with a hint of sweetness, as they can be more refreshing. But overall, when it comes to rosé wines on-premise, more people realize that "pink is not a color but a flavor," he notes. The style of rosés can vary enormously from producer to producer and region to region. The versatility of these wines also plays a role in their growing popularity. "You can have [rosé] with or without food, serve it before, during or after a meal, and it's great to enjoy on the beach or anywhere outdoors during the warmer months," Lammi says. www.cheersonline.com