Summer rosés and all that jazz

30 June 2010

A sunny evening, sipping rosés on a lawn and the sound of a saxophone playing made for a sublime combination and heralded the start of Wine Couture's summer tasting of pink wines.

On one of the hottest nights in June, guests gathered in the gardens of imposing 19th-century Warren House in Surrey to enjoy an opening sparkler from South Africa accompanied by delicious summer strawberries, while saxophonist Kevin McMahon created the perfect mood with some sultry jazz.

Then it was inside for the formal tutored tasting designed to show the diversity of rosés from around the world. Led by Master of Wine Maggie McNie, this was held in Warren House's elegant Magnolia Room, with guests sitting down to taste Old World and New World pink wines, including a Champagne, a Provencal rosé, a Pinot Grigio Rosato and examples from New Zealand and California. While nibbling a selection of beautifully prepared canapés, Maggie guided guests through the wine list, entertaining and engaging them along the way.

There was then a chance for retasting particular favourites before everyone took their leave not long after the sky had darkened, since it was one of the longest days of the year.

Michelle Wish, who came with her husband Andrew, thought it was a great event and said, 'Thank you for a lovely evening. Much appreciated.' While another attendee, Des Daly, summed it up in a couple of words: 'Great night. Great fun.'

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