Virtual Wine Tastings have been around for some time. However, they are now huge with the advent of COVID-19. Many of our New Jersey wineries are offering these via Facebook Live sessions, Zoom, etc. I was thinking of doing a New Jersey Virtual Wine Tasting post, but another blogger and writer, Robin Shreeves beat me to it. You can find her article in the online version of Edible Jersey.
In the meantime, I got an invitation from wine.com to join them, Bon Jovi, his son, Jesse, and Gerard Bertrand (winemaker) in a tasting of Hampton Water Rose. This is the third year for this collaboration and the third consecutive 90 point rating (this time, by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast). The project was Jesse’s idea and his dad was all in, supporting the project and lending his considerable star power. Let’s not forget that Bon Jovi is a Jersey Boy, so this post does have a New Jersey connection.
The Zoom session lasted around 35-40 minutes, with wine.com’s Gwendolyn Osborn, serving as moderator. As I mentioned, the idea to do a wine collaboration was Jesse’s. He came up with the name of this great Rose (Hampton Water). The name came from Jesse’s love of the Hamptons, especially during the summer months. Jesse was also responsible for the idea for the bottle art work. The concept was that of a woman diving into a sea of Rose wine. Once his dad was on board, they needed to choose a style of Rose and a winemaker with a history of making great Rose wines.
Jesse and his dad spent a fair number of days and nights doing the tough research of finding the style of Rose they wanted to produce (mostly trial and error). Jesse admits his Dad was much more knowledgeable about wine, but they both preferred the dry Roses they tasted, mostly from the South of France. This area, especially Provence and Languedoc, have a reputation of making some of the best Rose wines in the world. Languedoc is adjacent to the better known (and pricier) Provence Region. The area has the additional parallel with the Hamptons-fun in the sun, with nearby beaches.
Next came the most important decision in producing a great Rose wine-partnering with a great winemaker. After some research, they approached Gerard Bertrand, a very well-respected winemaker, who has produced many highly rated wines for years. However, he had never collaborated with others before. Apparently, the trio hit it off and the rest is, as they say, history. They even won the Wine and Culture Wine Star Award. This award is presented by the Wine Enthusiast and reflects “how wine facilitates the sharing and the gathering of people from all cultures.”
The resulting wine, Hampton Water is a wonderful, dry Rose wine that reminds me of the Provence Roses that I have enjoyed over the years-dry with the classic note of strawberries and great acidity. It is a beautiful pale Rose color. The wine is a blend of Grenache (40%); Mouvedre (15%); Cinsault (15%); and Syrah (10%). I found it to have a little more body than some of the Roses from Provence. Priced at $19.99, I was thankful that I purchased more than one bottle for this tasting. If you look closely at the photo above you will notice there is no cork. Instead there is a glass stopper with a rubberized rim. There is also a beautiful strawberry-shaped, indented base to the bottle.
Rose wine has never been hotter. After years of being viewed as a summer wine (or even a “blush wine”), Rose seems to be having its “time in the sun.” Jon Bon Jovi, his son, and Gerard think it’s about time to enjoy a good Rose wine all year long. I agree! But it will be hard to follow Bon Jovi’s advice: “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got…” I’m thinking my stash will be gone in no time!
Cheers!
My timing is usually not very good, but…
This week I was able to snag a free bottle of hand sanitizer (usually $6) and a great bottle of one of my favorite cocktails at $5 off per bottle at Lazy Eye Distillery (in Richland). They specialize in vodka (distilled with grapes). I chose a bottle of their Lazy Eye Special (Vodka citrus-infused cocktail)). The customer appreciation day special is over, but their products are super and they still have hand sanitizer (now $6). You can order online and get it curbside.
Still don’t own a copy of New Jersey Uncorked? You can download your ebook copy at Apple’s iBook app. Use the coupon code COVID19 TO SAVE $3. Now only $9.99!!
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