Rose, 2021. Quartz

Quartz is crafted by Trasiego Wines founded by Vicente Johnson. Vicente enjoys an incredible reputation in Chile's Casablanca appellation, especially for cooler climate grapes. All of their vineyards border the Pacific Ocean which induces a Mediterranean climate making wines like Pinot Noir easier to ripen.

The grapes for this selection come from a tiny appellation in Casablanca called Leyda. The soil is composed of clay, granite, and hefty doses of Quartz, hence the name of the wine. It is said that being this close to the ocean gives the wine a certain "saltiness." We've never bought into that thought, so you'll have to make your own decision here.

Unlike too many roses which just add a little red wine to a white for color, our selection is made correctly. That means allowing the juice, which is white, to come into contact with the skins for just long enough to induce the amount of color desired. In this case it was all of eight hours. That means someone has to watch the wine transform to the point where it is the correct color and then remove the skins. It is truly the only way to make rose.

There is little doubt that Pinot Noir makes one of the finest roses possible. It's rarely seen because the rose will never fetch the price of a red wine. You have to really want to make it. That is certainly the case here with the bright strawberry and cherry flavors just waiting for salmon, pesto shrimp, or scallop pasta.

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