Drea's Rosato 2021
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VQA NIAGARA PENINSULA | 750ML
VINTAGE & VITICULTURE
Andrea Kaiser, daughter to Canadian pioneering winemaker Karl J. Kaiser, recently released her first small batch rosé made from the rarely seen Dornfelder grape. Kaiser considered a number of grape varieties and settled on Dornfelder for her first rosé as it not only reminded her of her father who loved the variety for Ontario grape growing but was also intrigued by the idea of producing a rosé from a red grape with a bold colour and intense fruit flavours. She had to look no further than a local grower and was provided an ideal vintage for the production of fresh, bright, and food-friendly wines.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Andrea (Drea) Kaiser has worked at Reif Estate Winery for almost twenty years as Director of Marketing and launched her own wine collection with the help of the Reif team, including owner Klaus W. Reif, Winemaker Roberto DiDomenico, and Assistant Winemaker Fernando Morales. In contemplating Dorenfleder for her rosé, it was apparent that the juice could only spend a moment or two on the skins for colour extraction so the Saignée method was used for production. Even this limited time on the skins brought a deep bright pink hue to the wine, the first and only Dornfelder rosé produced in Canada.
TASTING NOTES
The wine was fermented bone dry and the pleasantly sour notes and backbone of acidity are refreshing on the palate. Tart raspberry aromas and flavours on the nose and palate will pair well with a turkey burger, grilled salmon and shrimp cocktail.
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3g/L
ALCOHOL/VOLUME:12.5%
BRIX AT HARVEST: 18.8
RELEASE DATE: May 2024
AGEABILITY: 2-3
90 POINTS - "What's believed to be Canada's only Dornfelder rosé boasts a dark ruby colour in the glass – a stark contrast to rosés currently on trend. A unique nose of muddled raspberry and mint with red plum and violet. The bone-dry palate features delicate tannins amidst flavours of rich red berries and soft herbs. One of a kind from start to acid-driven finish.” Nicole MacKay, Decanter
90 POINTS — “You say rosé, I say rosato,” said Kaiser. Rosato is an Italian-style rosé made from Dornfelder, a unique grape variety, and cherry red in colour. “In designing this wine, I wanted to select a red varietal that had ample berry flavours, good skin colour and bright acidity. I had to look no further than one of my father’s favourite grape varieties, Dornfelder, that he knew from his homeland Austria.” I would say, mission accomplished. This is a bold style of rosé with a riot of brambly raspberries, red currants, anise, and earthy notes that is wild and untethered. It’s robust, especially for a rosè, with meaty red berries, earthy/savoury notes, and anise with a bright, lifted finish in a completely dry style. Could even pair this with most red eats if you wanted to.” Rick Vansickle, Wines in Niagara
SILVER MEDAL - ONTARIO WINE AWARDS