Carlo Rossi Table Wine

Beneficial beverage 

 By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

 The Philippines is a young, albeit thriving, market for wines; unlike some countries in Europe, mainland USA, and Australia whose diets include it as main beverage. Wine, when taken in moderation, complements the daily meal, flavors a dish it cooks, welcomes guests, marks memorable occasions, as well as complete a connoisseur's banquet. 

Wine is simply the fermented juice of sound, ripe grapes. The juices combine with the yeast and sugar in each berry to produce natural wine. Through the wine-making process, the juice is transformed into a beverage that is as pleasing, as it is beneficial, to drink. The skins of grapes are laden with healthy anti-oxidants that promote wellness and will be preserved only if the grape harvest is processed immediately. Thus, it is important that the grapes be processed and manufactured at the same time they are harvested and picked, to assure that the anti-oxidants and other health benefits from its skin are preserved. 

Aside from tannins, grape skins also contain flavanoids that raises up the level of lipo-proteins in our body; quercelin, an anti-cancer property that heals the sugar bond; and, most importantly, resveratrol, an enzyme also found in peanuts, that lowers cholesterol build-up that causes heart ailments. 

In Reader's Digest 2007 Good Food, Good Health Special, it reported that based on a pioneering study, resveratrol is the only polyphenol found to activate a gene called SIRT-1 that's found in the human body. SIRT-1, or the longevity genes as they are sometimes called, have been known to be responsible for a species' survival in stressful times as it gives our cells additional time to repair damaged DNA; hence prolonging life span and avoiding unnecessary deaths. The code, or the protein that's produced in SIRT-1 is called sirtuins and in scientific tests, resveratrol was the only substance that had the most potent effect in turning on or actively stimulating this protein. With the body being “tricked” into thinking it was being '”calorically-restricted.” i.e. getting good nutrition with fewer food supply, it stimulated the protein in the survival defense enzyme. The result then is a significant life extension as it had boosted the cell's survival defense enzyme, rejuvenated our body cells and enhanced the immune system function in general. 

To produce a good vintage, grapes must be harvested at the right time; when the fruit reaches the right balance of sugar and acid for the particular wine it intends to bottle. Grapes picked too early will have too much acid while those harvested too late will have too much sugar. Retaining or trapping carbon dioxide (C02) during the wine-making process produces sparkling wines while releasing it produces red/white table wines. Climate and temperature are also very important in determining the quality and balance of the grape's components that includes sugar, acid, tannin, color, pigments, flavor and aroma. California's Sonoma Valley is one of the state's regions that is famous for growing grapes. 

Sonoma can be remembered best as the locale for the Oscar-nominated movie "Sideways." The heating effect of the sun is moderated by the cooling impact of the ocean and the afternoon to nighttime fog; creating a 'warm day, cool night' weather pattern. Under such conditions, grapes typically mature and ripen more slowly. This longer hang time produces fruit with more intense varietal character and complexity than fruit grown in warmer climates. 

In California, each harvest year is considered a 'vintage year.' Vintners may elect to age the wines “on the cork” for a period of time until all the aromas and flavors “marry” and the tannins have softened. Currently, modern wines are sealed in the screw or twist type caps for easy opening convenience. Oak barrels are still in use because a lot of consumers still prefer the taste it produces, especially in the Old World estates of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Chablis in France; Piedmont and Tuscany in Italy; Mosel in Germany and Rioja in Spain. Even with modern technology, some New World estates in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Romania still follow this traditional ageing process. 

As to classification, generic table wines have no vintage date or particular blend. In truth, their composition is the result of three or four grape varieties. Varietal table wines, on the other hand, are named after the grape variety that makes up 75 percent of its component, revealing a distinctive taste. Carlo Rossi table wines are of the latter category. Carlo Rossi California Red is a rich, medium-bodied wine with deep ruby colors imbued with aromas and flavors of blackberry and plum. Well-balanced, with a fruity and slightly sweet aftertaste, it pairs perfectly with a popular array of Filipino dishes like Beef Mechado, Salpicao, Bistek Tagalog, Calderetta, Callos, Lengua Estofado, Morcon, Menudo, and Pork Spareribs. 

Pinoy foods are rich in condiments and sauces. This explains why rice is important in every meal, and why it is quite difficult to pair wines with Filipino fare. But certain wines, particularly California Red, with its smooth feel and light fruity taste, allow the palate to sense the distinct features of Philippine cuisine. 

Carlo Rossi Red Muscat is another medium-bodied red wine with a smooth, silky texture and taste intensity from a careful balance of red and white muscat grapes. It boasts of a flavor of fresh and fragrant fruits without an aftertaste. This variety pairs well with Chicken Inasal, Grilled Liempo, Lechon with Gravy, Lumpiang Shanghai, Paella, Paksiw na Pata, Pininyahang Manok, Pochero, Pork Adobo, Embutido, and Piquat (sweet & sour pork), 

Carlo Rossi California White, on the other hand, is crisp and refreshing with herbal characteristics of fruity apple and melon notes for a light and clean finish. It is best with Baked Clams & Oyster, Calamares, Chicken Pastel with White Sauce, Chicken Galantina, Rellenong Bangus and grilled squid. Carlo Rossi is part of the E & J Gallo Winery roster that includes Boone's, Wild Vines, Andre, Gallo, Turning Leaf, Canyon Road, Red Rock Reserve, and Starborough. 

Founded in 1933, the winery sits on a sprawling estate in Modesto, California's Sonoma Valley. The company has been marketing its bottled products all over the US and in 90 countries worldwide including the Philippines.