Getting Into It: Rosé Wine
Today, we’re taking a look at a crowd favourite when it comes to wine: the rosé. This versatile and refreshing wine variety is popular worldwide, known primarily for its distinct pink hue. Ranging from a pale blush to a vibrant coral, rosé wine is more than just a mixture of red and white wine. Instead, the colour comes from a specific winemaking process involving red grape skins. Without further ado, let’s get into the ins and outs of rosé wine.
How is rosé wine made?
Rosé’s unique pink colour is achieved through a process called maceration. This is where red grape skins are left in contact with the pressed grape juice for just a few hours. This process is different than red wine, for which the grape skins are left in the juice for several days or weeks.
The longer the skins stay in the juice, the deeper the colour of rosé you get. Once the wine turns into the desired colour, the skins are removed and the juice is fermented the same way one would ferment a white wine.
Another way to get that pink hue is through a method called “saignée” also known as the bleeding method. Winemakers will carefully extract a portion of juice early from the production of red wine, resulting in rosé. This method deepens the concentration of the remaining red wine, as well as produces a gorgeous tinted rosé.
Where is rosé wine produced?
Many wine regions in the world produce rosé, but some regions are more popular than others. The most famous region for rosé is Provence in France. Rosé wine from this region is typically light, crisp, and dry.
Spain is also known for their rosé, which they call “rosado,” and Italy refers to theirs as “rosato.” Additionally, California in the United States also produces excellent rosés.
Varieties of rosé wine
Just like red and white wines, there are also several varieties of rosé wines depending on the type of grapes used.
Winemakers around the world use various grapes to produce rosé. This includes Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sangiovese. Each grape variety brings its own unique twist to the rosé, making it a diverse and exciting category to explore.
Taste and characteristics of rosé
Rosés flavours depend greatly on the type of grapes used and the winemaking method. However, most rosé wines are brightly acidic and refreshing. Common tasting notes include strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. This type of wine also often contains notes of citrus, melon, and florals.
Drinking rosé wine can make you forget that you’re having an alcoholic beverage because of its light to medium body, which makes it perfect for casual sipping.
Serving rosé wine
Similar to white wine, rosé is best served chilled, ideally at around 8-12°C. This temperature allows the refreshing flavours to shine through without being masked by warmth.
Rosé wine is also incredibly food-friendly and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, from salads and seafood to grilled meats and light pasta dishes.
More than just a trendy pink drink, rosé should be appreciated for its diverse production methods resulting in refreshing flavours. There’s a rosé out there for everyone, so consider picking up a bottle from your nearest Red and White shop!
