Drink

January 04, 2009

It's the first week of January, and we're entering the cold gray heart of a Philly winter, which often equates to a long spell of dark, heavy, brooding drinks. The good news for those suffering from a severe case of SADD (seasonal affective drinking disorder) is that it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere!

I've been cheerily reminded of this fact by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which has stocked its shelves with rosé wines - typically a summer splash - from across the globe's bottom half, including the blushing tartness of Montes' Cherub ($12.49) from Chile, the fizzy moscato sweetness of Innocent Bystander ($9.99) from Australia, as well as a couple of unpleasantly hairy pink malbecs I'd rather not mention.

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A new favorite among these powder puffs is this pinotage rose made by Delheim in South Africa. Still lively from the 2008 harvest, it has a spot-on balance of bright berry sweetness and a refreshingly crisp finish that pairs well with light foods. At $11.99, it's a fair price for a mid-winter's sip of Stellenbosch sunshine in a bottle.

The 2008 Delheim pinotage rose is available in Pennsylvania "Premium Collection" stores for $11.99.

- Craig

LaBan

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