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Hot Pink Drink: Korbel Brut Ros�
Four pinks, 10 bucks. Photo l Michael Persico
Hot Pink Drink: Korbel Brut Ros�
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| Four pinks, 10 bucks. |
| Photo l Michael Persico |
Korbel is easy to sneer at. The cheap bubbly bills itself as "Champagne," even though that nervy claim makes real French Champagne producers froth at the mouth. It is more correctly a California sparkling white wine; though it is produced in the traditional bottle-fermented Methode Champenoise, the everyday white-labeled Korbel Brut doesn't leave much of an impression other than a wicked hangover headache.
My intellectual knowledge of the sheer crappiness of Korbel Brut went to war the other day with my desire to drink all things pink and fizzy. The diminutive four-pack of 187 ml. bottles of Korbel Brut Rosé called out, "Drink me! I'm so cute and rosy in my tiny bottle, and it's nearly Valentine's Day!" The gorgeous fake-spring day and the $9.99 PLCB price sealed the deal.
Korbel Brut Rosé is blended from Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and French Columbard grapes. The juice spends a short time resting on the skins of the crushed grapes to lend the wine its baby-pink hue. This rosé has won a number of awards and has received an 87 score from Wine Enthusiast. Fortified with this knowledge, I whipped my church key out and cracked open a bottle.
The wine pours a blush hue, with moderate effervescence. The nose is of melons and cherries, which appear on the tongue as well as strawberries. There is decent acidity and though fruity, it is very dry (brut). Twelve percent ABV is well-concealed — two of these on an empty stomach should pie-eye most bubbly drinkers. To avoid that, pair Korbel Brut Rosé with smoked chicken (as the producer suggests) or sushi. This would complement many spicy foods, as well, especially some romantically buttery Indian takeout. If a cocktail is in order, add a splash of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur for a sophisticated twist on the Kir. All in all, for $2.50 a glass, this is a stellar deal that will certainly help along a sparkly, starry Valentine's Day.
Snag a four-pack of these petite quaffs at Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits Stores, $9.99.
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