Hooray, it’s a partay! On Saturday, June 9 Sea Grapes Wine Bar & Bistro is hosting its first ever rosé wine tasting party from 5 to 7 p.m. at Village Square. In line with the theme, guests are highly encouraged to wear pink and white.
More than 50 different rosé wines from places like California, Oregon, Chile, France, and Argentina will be poured along with ‘frozé’ treats. Sea Grapes will feed guests crudités, baked feta with air loom tomatoes, shrimp and avocado salad, and tuna tartare. Florida Keys Brewing Co. is releasing a special craft beer for the pink foray and DJ Marissa Sardar provides entertainment. . There will also be games and giveaways of wine bottles, wine glasses, accessories, and more.
Tickets are $45 for advanced purchase and $50 at the door. Since the weekend event is the first opportunity educators have to unwind completely care-free, Sea Grapes is only charging $35 for teachers. Cost of admission includes a food and wine voucher.
Sea Grapes owner Ashley Jordahl has been spreading her knowledge of wines throughout the Upper Keys since opening the wine bar last year. Jordahl was certified as a sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers after graduating from the University of Central Florida’s acclaimed Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
“She knows how to pair wines with people’s personalities or even to how their day is going,” said wedding planner Julia Timmins of Blue Water Weddings. “Visiting Sea Grapes is just like visiting Ashley’s home, it’s so cozy and you get the same attention and service every time.”
Most rosé wines are categorized by color said Jordahl. The different colors and shades come from maceration – when grapes are pressed and the juice itself rest on the skin, causing the color. Just like reds and whites, rosé wines vary in dryness, sweetness, while some are still and others are sparkling.
Different shades are the result of different wine making processes Jordahl said.
“Vin gris is when you use all red grapes but still have a very short maceration time. Saignee is when you ferment the wine and “bleed off” a portion of red wine juice as soon as it’s the color you want,” she said. “Also, there’s blending, when you literally mix red and white wine together. Any white or red grapes can be used in rosé wines.”
Rosé wines also have distinguishing regional characteristics because of the soil and terrain. Wines from California are known to be more fruit forward in taste than wines from regions like Provence, France, which has minerality to its taste said Jordahl.
Sea Grapes’ Rose Partay is a fun occasion for the curious palette to relax and learn about one of millennial-America’s favorite choice of wine. Sea Grapes Wine Bar & Bistro is located at 80925 Overseas Hwy Unit #3, Islamorada. Call 305-522-0155 or email islamordawinebar@gmail.com for more info.