New York may be the Big Apple, but June 13-14 it’s going to be the Big Grape, when one of the world’s more unique wine and food events debuts. Dubbed La Nuit En Rosé, the wine and food tasting extravaganza, the country’s first large-scale wine event devoted exclusively to sparkling and still rosé, takes place during four fun, elegant cruises aboard a hybrid yacht along the Hudson River.
The event celebrates an astonishing 85 rosés from 58 wineries around the world, including: France, Italy, Spain, Chile, South Africa, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, Argentina and the US. Many of these rosés have yet to be sampled on American soil. And some are from small vintners that do not distribute to the US in large quantities. Guests will be able to tantalize their palates with the new, the different and the unusual, making the experience all the more special—and they’ll get to vote for their favorites in an audience award competition. Think of it as a world tour of Rosés ... in a glass.
The brainchild of wine entrepreneur Pierrick Bouquet, La Nuit En Rosé — actually two days and nights on June 13 and 14—is set aboard the luxurious, state-of-the art Hornblower Hybrid, moored at Pier 40. Taking place during two-four hour sessions daily, each featuring a romantic ninety-minute sailing along the Hudson River, La Nuit en Rosé is a chic, cocktail-style tasting that includes lively music, and some of the best views Manhattan has to offer.
La Nuit en Rosé features delicious cuisine to complement the wines, including: a selection of ice creams (one rosé-infused) from The Tipsy Scoop; canelés and financiers French pastries by Céline (The New York Times’ Florence Fabricant raved about these special pastries in a recent column); oysters provided from the Brooklyn Oyster Party; and cheese and charcuterie from Vin sur Vingt, among others. Add lively music, great company and some of the best views Manhattan has to offer, and it's a spectacular way to start the summer!
Rosés, known for their incredible versatility with virtually any food, are the official wines of summer. So with barbeques firing up, what better time is there to launch La Nuit En Rosé? The event also features a wine competition, where ten distinguished judges sommeliers and wine directors, Jamie Kaloustian from Dovetail, Paul Altuna from Le Cirque, Roger Dagorn from Tocqueville, Victoria James from Ristorante Mornini I Alta Marea Group, Chad Walsh from The Dutch, AJ Ojeda-Pons from Lambs Club, Geoffrey Fischer from wd~50, international wine judge Robin Kelley O’Connor, and master of wine Lisa Granik will confer honors upon the best of the very same wines guests will sample. And, unlike almost any other wine competition, La Nuit En Rosé will feature an audience award.