The first time I heard about Rosa Regale was last February. A local restaurant gave half-bottles of the wine to every couple who ate there on Valentine's Day. One of my customers loved it and requested that we bring it in. We did, but it wasn't until last weekend that I finally tried it. Why, oh why did I wait so long? The color - a beautiful shade of pink - was gorgeous in the glass and the bubbles looked very festive. The aromatic wine had loads of light berry flavor with just a hint of rose petals. It reminded me a little bit of the rose pastilles by L'Anis de Flavigny. (I have a weakness for violet and rose-flavored candy as well as wine.) The back of the bottle suggested pairing it with chocolate and I had a delicious chocolate mousse cake that I was going to have along with the Rosa Regale. It really is a match made in heaven. The chocolate really brought out the raspberry flavor in the wine and it was such a wonderful dessert combination.

It is made from Brachetto grapes grown near Piedmont, Italy. Because of the low alcohol content (a mere 7%), this wine would be a great wine for brunches as well as desserts. And with Thanksgiving just a couple weeks away, it would be an unusual and well-received hostess gift if you're heading to a friend or relative's house for dinner. It is irresistible and perfect for the holidays!