Paşaeli, Rosé Çalkarası 2021 Aegean

Full bottle 1,287 g. Çalkarası is an indigenous variety that originates from the Çal district of Denizli. (Çal is just east of Güney, and is the old traditional grape-growing area.) The vineyard is at an elevation of 850 m above sea level. Harvested 30 August. The juice was kept with its skins for 12 hours at low temperature to extract flavours and colour. After pressing, it was fermented at 18 °C for 20 days in a stainless-steel tank. It was aged on its lees for 3 months with lees-stirring twice a week.
Much darker colour than the Blush Çalkarası – candy pink. Sweeter-smelling, too, a bit like cough linctus but in an attractive way. Tutti-frutti flavours balanced by gentle, dry tannins and plenty of acidity. (JH)