Rose Wines Complement Barbecue Bounty Fresh, Food-friendly Spanish Wines For Memorial Day Picnics

Memorial Day marks the start of barbeque season. For those planning a weekend gathering and wondering what wine to pair with barbecue fare, Wines from Spain recommends a refreshing and versatile Spanish rose.

"Roses are the perfect refreshment to sip while you wait for the ribs to finish grilling," said Katrin Naelapaa, executive director of Wines from Spain, "and they also strike a delicious balance with the entire barbecue menu, cutting through the fattiness of the meat and potato salad while pairing with the zippy sweetness of classic sauces. Whether it's a sparkling Cava or a vivid Garnacha, a Spanish rose will offer crisp acidity and the ability to stand up to meats and bold flavors."

With their gorgeous fruity hues, roses simply look like summer in a glass. Not all roses are the same, however, and Wines from Spain provides some pointers on deciphering this wine style in addition to specific recommendations for wines that should be readily available throughout the U.S.

Spanish Cava Rose
Spanish Cava is a sparkling wine produced in the same classic method as French Champagne, and Cava Rose is the official pink sparkling wine of Spain. Like Champagne, Spanish Cava Rose is produced in varying levels of dryness: brut nature, brut (extra dry), seco (dry), semiseco (medium) and dulce (sweet). With its moderate alcohol content and crisp acidity, Cava Rose is exceedingly food-friendly and has grown steadily in popularity.

Spanish Garnacha Rose
Garnacha - known as Grenache throughout the world - is the third most planted grape in Spain and is concentrated in the north central region of the country. Garnacha Roses have bright strawberry aromas with fresh cherry and currant flavors, as well as traces of citrus and strawberry. Their crisp acidity is followed by a soft, round finish.

About Wines from Spain
Wines from Spain is a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain based in New York. For more than 25 years, Wines from Spain has been committed to increasing the awareness of Spanish wines throughout the United States through education, informational materials, special events and promotions. For further information on specific wine regions and producers, please contact: Wines from Spain, Trade Commission of Spain, 405 Lexington Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10174-0331 or visit www.WinesfromSpainUSA.com.