A rosy point of view at Back 10 Cellars
Sometimes it’s nice to look at the world through rose coloured glasses. If you need a little help to get into your positive POV (point of view) then I suggest the Rose Coloured Glasses Rosé from Back 10 Cellars.
The intense shade of pink veers towards fushia. The deep shade is perfectly matched to the carefully designed label reflecting a “city folk living on a vineyard” vibe. When I visited the winery this fall, I learned the owner, Christina Brooks, intentionally matched the font colour with the first vintage of this beautiful rosé, a mix of Pinot Noir and Gamay. Ever since, the matching has been reversed, letting the grape skins mingle with the juice until the exact shade is reached (24 hours for the 2018 vintage). I love this attention to detail.
Whichever came first, the label or the wine, there is no debate on its utter deliciousness. It really is “summer in a glass” as suggested by the winery’s tasting notes (and confirmed by my nose).
The brand Back 10 Cellars pays homage to the ten years it took the owners to produce their first bottle of wine. They wanted the drinker to connect with their experience. Christina has written a wonderful little book on her journey with her husband, To build a vineyard: an adventure of love, wine and courage.
In the last chapter of her book (aptly titled Rose Coloured Glasses), Christina reflects it is not fate or serendipity she believes in but ….
“…what I do know is that my whole life I have been achingly optimistic about how things will turn out”
Christina Brooks, To build a vineyard: an adventure of love, wine and courage
I am thankful she has been achingly optimistic all these years. The wine is gorgeous – the deep shade of pink swirling in my glass, the candied strawberry aromas, and an off-dry palette like a sunny summer day. It’s the perfect pair of rose coloured glasses for me to don on this February winter day.
Her inspirational tale adds to my enjoyment of the wine. If you are looking for some inspiration, I suggest you head to the winery and get yourself a copy of her book.
Oh, and while you are there, stay for a tasting in the Tasting Bungalow. The bungalow is stylish, has comfortable seating and elegant glassware set up on the wooden tables. I also liked the acoustical background music of rock favourites (I love this type of musical guessing game!). My server was great and she even encouraged me to taste a Cabernet Franc grape from the vines on my way out. The grapes were plump and ready to be harvested. The juice from a single grape was a sweet burst of flavour in my mouth.
We each have our own dreams. It may not involve opening a winery (I mean she was not kidding about achingly optimistic). But her story, starting with her inscription at the front of the book, can be applicable to all types of aspirations:
“Life is short. Drink the wine. Live the dream!”
And, whenever possible, put on those rose coloured glasses.
