Hampton Bubbly Rose

Hampton Bubbly Rosé is a sparkling rosé from Massachusetts, made by Esplanda. The name points to a bubbly, pink-hued wine, but the grape blend, production method and sweetness level aren't specified, so what follows describes how this style usually behaves. Expect red-berry fruit such as strawberry, raspberry and red cherry, possibly with a hint of citrus or melon. Sparkling rosés in this mold are typically light to medium in body, with fine to moderate bubbles and little to no tannin. Acidity is usually brisk, and oak is rarely a factor. The finish tends to be short to medium and clean. If the label shows a sweetness designation such as brut or extra dry, that will tell you more about the dryness than the style alone does. Serve it well chilled, around 42 to 47°F. A couple of hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bath gets it there. Decanting isn't needed and would flatten the bubbles. Open it gently, easing the cork out with a soft sigh rather than a pop, and pour into a tulip-shaped sparkling glass or an all-purpose white wine glass. Both hold the aroma and the carbonation better than a wide, shallow coupe. At the table, the acidity and berry fruit make it a good match for salty, fried or creamy foods. Try it with oysters, shrimp cocktail, fried clam strips, soft cheeses like brie or fresh goat cheese, prosciutto with melon, or a summer salad with strawberries and feta. It also works with lightly spiced dishes, since the chill and bubbles take the edge off the heat. Most wines of this type are made for drinking in the near term while the fruit is fresh and the fizz is lively, so plan to open it soon after buying and don't cellar it for aging.