the WINE GUY

O ver the years, one of the more enjoyable wine trends I’ve witnessed is the sustained fourseason availability of rosé. Not only are there more pink wines on shelves these days, the selection is loitering well past summer. If you haven’t picked up a bottle this month, it’s worth getting into October rosé. Regardless of the season, the same rules apply: pink wine is versatile, pink wine tends to be food-friendly, and it is simply fun to stare at in the glass!

Hot Glass Cold Beer

Live glass-blowing demonstrations paired with pints of local craft beer? Yes, please! From 7 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 28, the Terminal City Glass Co-op (1191 Parker St., Vancouver) is hosting Hot Glass Cold Beer. Along with glass-blowing and beer from more than 20 craft breweries, the night features costume and carved pumpkin contests, beer pong, Disco Cheetah food truck, and music by DJ Darkcloud. Tickets are $55 (plus taxes) and include a handmade taster glass and seven beer tasting tokens, with all proceeds directly benefiting Terminal City Glass Co-op. To purchase and for complete details, call 604-253-2667 or visit terminalcityglass.com. twitter.com/hadaglass

Mulderbosch 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, South Africa ($13.49, #231019)

Pouring a deep orangey-pink in the glass, this South African rosé wafts generous aromas of herbs, berry, and citrus. A brisk, dry entry ensues followed by a healthy richness and easygoing sensibility thanks to a kiss of residual sugars on a smooth finish. This is quaffing rosé — ready to pair up with lastof-the-season baked or grilled salmon, or a full meal Cobb salad.

Bottom line: B, Quaffing rosé

Muga 2016 Rioja Rosado, Spain ($16.99, #521179)

Don’t be alarmed, rosado is simply Spanish for pink wine (or rosé if you want to sound fancy!). Actually, Spain produces its fair share of pink wine; and Muga’s bottling offers a great, quintessential example. Made from a blend of Garnacha, Viura, and Tempranillo grapes grown in the fabled Rioja region, this light salmon-pink coloured wine features engaging aromatics of peach, berry, and herbs in a tart, bracing style. A robust, lingering finish concludes, permitting this wine will go great with classic paella and patatas bravas.

Bottom line: A-, Tart, robust, and tasty

Dames 2016 Rosé, British Columbia (around $28 a bottle, available online and at select private wine stores)

Created as a fundraising initiative for Les Dames d’Escoffier B.C., proceeds from each bottle of the limited-production Dames line of wines (there are three: a white, red, and rosé) go to support food and beverage education for women in British Columbia. The recentlyreleased Dames Rosé, crafted by Mireille Sauvé in Okanagan Falls, is a fun mix of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir (80/20 ratio) blended together after fermentation. Pouring a pale and light pink, it’s redolent with rhubarb and berry notes in crisp, dry and tangy style overall. Serve with seafood, or a cream-based pasta.

Bottom line: A-, Robust and tangy