For the last 17 years, the postcard-perfect Wölffer Estate Vineyard, located in the Hamptons, has hosted our annual summer tasting, Chefs & Champagne®—which takes place tomorrow! We caught up with winemaker and partner Roman Roth to discuss his favorite summertime wines and what’s on the horizon for Wölffer.
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JBF: What are your favorite wines to drink in the summer?
RR: A dry rosé, riesling, or white blend is perfect for the beach or the pool. Our barrel-fermented (balanced and not overoaked!) Perle Chardonnay is a perfect match for fresh-caught local striped bass.
JBF: It’s no secret that rosé is a popular choice for summer. What do you like to eat with it?
RR: My ultimate rosé pairings are crabcakes and lobster rolls—especially when made with fresh, local seafood. I also love rosé with cured salmon, sushi, barbecued chicken, or grilled octopus.
JBF: We know it can be hard to pick, but what are your favorite wines from the Wölffer Estate range?
RR: Each wine serves a purpose or has a character that will be best for a specific use or preferred by a discerning palate. What stands out, however, are our White Horse reserve wines. Our White Horse wines offer great concentration combined with elegance and balance. A few highlights are the Noblesse Oblige Extra Brut Sparkling Rosé, Perle Chardonnay and Christian’s Cuvée Merlot, our flagship wine. With the new vintages coming out in 2015, you’ll see a beautiful new design on our White Horse labels. Check them out at the bar at Chefs & Champagne!
JBF: Is the winery working on any new bottlings that we can look forward to?
RR: We are just releasing a new rosé wine called Finca Wölffer Rosé, made in Argentina from grapes grown in our vineyard in Mendoza. This dry rosé is made on purpose (vs. as a saignee process, as byproduct of red wine production) and reflects our signature Hamptons style. It’s an Argentine rosé like no other! This wine will be sold at wine shops and restaurants throughout the tri-state area starting July 2015!
