Winter? What Winter? Time for Rosé!

 Is it me or has this winter here in Hong Kong been one of the mildest in memory? I am sitting in my office looking out of the window each day writing watching the sun beat down on the streets below and people are wearing t-shirts, sandals and shorts (well, the tourists are anyway!)

This time of the year in Hong Kong is usually much colder than it currently is. The weekend was sunny and a warm 23 – 24 degrees and today it’s humid, muggy and a reasonably warm 25 degrees – in the first week of February it’s normally heaters on full here and many of us wrapped up in scarves and hats.

So what of the trend here to drink wines according to the weather? Generally this time of the year in Hong Kong sees a rapid increase in consumption of red wines with the chilly weather not abated by the incessant need to over-air condition or bars and restaurants. However, this year, the air-con is most welcome and people are continuing to consume drinks here more associated with the summer.

Rosé wines took off finally here last year with  people realising their ability to pair well with sunshine and hot weather and this drinking trend is yet to abate with the continued nice weather we have had here this winter.

My “go to” rosé is from Provence and is an interesting one because it is one that is harvested at midnight, when the weather is cooler in the region and where the temperature at which the grapes are harvested means that the aromas and flavours are sealed in the grape before pressing. This “go to” wine is called Minuit Rosé  and is made by Chateau d’Astros.

 With the weekend weather the way it is and accommodating outdoor dining and drinking in places like Stanley, Discovery Bay and the like, there is no reason why Rosé should be avoided with the mild weather we are having. This weather has seen a spike in the practice of hiking in the territory and, after a long walk of a sunny weekend afternoon, there’s surely nothing better that a refreshing bottle of rosé to nurse the aching limbs.

Minuit Rosé is one of my favourites as it is not sweet and sticky like many other rosé on the market. IT has a refined elegance that suits both male and female drinkers and it’s a great party and barbeque wine as well as one that can be just sipped while you kick back and relax.

I shared a bottle with my wife on Saturday after scaling the heights if both Lion Rock and Beacon Hill here in Hong Kong and, although it does not heal stiff muscles (if it did I’d be out selling it on mountain tops each weekend!) it certainly relieves the tension after a long hike and makes you slip into a state of utter relaxation and enjoyment.

So, whilst the weather seems to want to make us drink wines usually associated with the summer, I suggest you roll with it and take advantage of the warmer winter weather to enjoy the wines you so crave when it’s not the summer here. Get yourself some rosé  next weekend and for a while you can enjoy the warmth – without all the devilish humidity that comes with the summer months.

Minuit Rosé by Chateau d’Astros is available here in Hong Kong from La Cave by Millesime France and is available in regular 750ml bottles, magnum 1500ml bottles and jeroboam 3000ml bottles. For more information contact contact@minuit-rose.com or go to their website: http://blog.minuit-rose.com/shop/