A rose is a rose, is a rose, is a rose…No, that’s not right! A rosé is a rosé, is a rosé, is a…. No, that’s not right, either! There can be significant differences among rosés. Some of the variables that may account for these differences are terroir, grape variety, and decisions made by the winemaker.
This style of wine is closely associated with certain regions, such as Tavel and Provence (France) and grape varieties like Grenache and Cinsaut, but there is nothing to prevent a creative winemaker from employing other grapes to make this type of wine.
One example of a creative winemaker would be Bellwood Vineyard’s Tomoaki Suzuki, whom I met, spoke to, and exchanged business cards with for a record-breaking forty-five seconds at Carnival, a retail chain with a rather impressive selection of Japanese wines. I subsequently purchased Bellwood’s 2023 Assemblage Rosé, which is a blend of Muscat Bailey A (70%), Black Queen (12%), Merlot (11%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), and Cabernet Franc (1%). Mr. Suzuki has chosen some very interesting grape varieties, which have resulted in a noteworthy rosé. Bellwood is located in Yamagata Prefecture, which is quickly, in my estimation, developing a reputation for serious wines.
Drinking Japan 