The Misunderstood Rosé Wine

You might say, “Pink wine?  Why would I drink that – it’s too sweet and unsophisticated!”.  Let me challenge that thought, as rosé wine is an oft misunderstood and underappreciated wine. 

Take notice of the intriguing rosé wine

Rosé wine is worth your consideration.  Here's why...

• There are both dry and sweet rosé wines.  One of these styles is likely to please your palette.
• Rosé wines are always produced from some portion of red grapes with minimal fermentation time spent with the red grape skins.  This results in rosé wine having some flavor characteristics of a red wine but typically is lighter-bodied and less drying.
• Rosé wines are best served chilled and hence are quite enjoyable when the weather is warm.
• Rosé wines pair extremely well (and somewhat uniquely) with certain foods.

There are many great dry rosé wines

A common misperception is that all rosé wines are sweet.  That is not the case.  The acidity of the grape and/or the wine’s contact with the grape skin (where tannin exists) may give the wine a dry or astringent characteristic, hence producing a dry rosé wine.

A famous wine growing region of France, known as Tavel, exclusively produces a dry rosé wine of world renown.  Many other dry rosé wines are produced in various wine growing regions of Europe and the Americas.

Red grape skins give rosé wine its pink color

Rosé wines typically are produced from a blend of juice from both white and red grapes (though red grapes are sometimes used exclusively).  

The juice is fermented with the red grape skins for twenty-four to forty-eight hours to give the wine its pink color.

Minimal skin contact during fermentation results in rosé wine having some flavor characteristics of a red wine but typically is lighter-bodied and less drying.

Serve rosé wines chilled

To be served chilled, rosé wines are a great alternative to white wines in the warm summer months for those who prefer a red wine, as rosés are more full-bodied than many white wines and often are more dry. 

Rosé wines pair extremely well with certain foods

Rosés pair amazingly well with pork dishes and patés.  And if you like a sweet rosé wine, I suggest a whimsical peanut butter and jelly sandwich pairing – it’s quite delicious!

"A common misperception is that all rosé wines are sweet.  That is not the case."

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