Maker: Black Star Farms, Traverse City/Sutton’s Bay, Michigan, USA
Grape: Pinot Noir
Region: Leelenau AVA, Michigan, USA
Style: Dry sparkling rosè.
ABV: 12%
Price: $13.50 from the winery online
Appearance: Ruby red with lots of bubbles.
Nose: Pomegranate, cranberry, red raspberry.
On the palate: Effervescent and dry. Not nearly as tart as the nose suggests. More pomegranate, but fades into a grapey flavor with a hint of foxiness.
Finish: Still dry but fairly tart. The cranberries pop up again only to fade into sparkling mineral water.
Parting words: I was skeptical when I saw the word “dry” on the label of Blushed, but it dry it is. It’s color is more like a bleed than a blush, but the dark color is attractive.
Blushed would make a nice change of pace for a sober first round on New Year’s Eve or casual summertime sipping. It is very good in a champagne cocktail (sugar, bitters and sparkling wine). Adequate in a mimosa. The price is right and so is the wine. Blushed is recommended.
Sipology 