Normally, I’m not one to rush home and get excited about opening a rosé wine, but the hot weather and the start of Virginia wine month had me salivating over the Kluge Estate Winery & Vineyard Albemarle Rosé that I had waiting for me at home.

I first tasted this wine at the Virginia Wine Festival in September.  While my friends and I were at the table, two guys in their mid-20’s came over ready to taste.  The man behind the table, who wasn’t much older than the two guys, reached for the Albemarle Rosé, and the two guys were appalled.  They immediately protested, saying they didn’t drink sweet wines and certainly didn’t drink rosés.  The pourer convinced them that it wasn’t a sweet wine and that they should give it a chance.  The two guys admitted that they enjoyed the wine, but went on to say there was no way that they would be caught drinking a “pink wine.”

I think this is a far too common attitude towards rosés.  At the same time, there are far too many wineries that feel the need to make their rosé a sweet wine. Thankfully, the Albemarle Rosé is not one of those wines.

The 2009 Albemarle Rosé (winery) had a dark orangey-salmon color with a few bubbles in the glass.  On the nose, there were cherries, strawberries, limes, and Italian cooking herbs.  In the mouth, there were tart raspberries and strawberries, with a burst of limes, parsley, and rose petals.  The wine had a touch of effervescence, a light body, and bright acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely!  If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $13, this wine is simple, light, and refreshing.  I enjoyed a glass on its own, but also thought that it wine paired nicely with the lemon pepper chicken and sautéed green beans that Hubby made for dinner.  All in all, this wine isn’t very complex, but what you get out of it will be very worthwhile.

Price: $13
Purchased at: Virginia Wine Festival
Overall: 4 corks