Rosé Food and Wine Pairing Ideas

Rosé food pairings

Rosé food pairings make for joyful meals that are refreshing and uplifting — pink wine has a way of putting everyone in a vacation mood. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when drinking Rosé wine was reserved for warm weather. Thankfully, just like only wearing white pants after Labor Day, that custom is no longer in effect. Today we’re living in the age of year-round Rosé all day. 

And that’s great news when it comes to Rosé wine pairing because Rosé is one of the most versatile styles of wine around. Rosés are made from red wine grapes, but they’re lighter in flavors and tannins than red wines. Plus, Rosés are served chilled, and they’re crisp and refreshing like lighter white wines. Rosé offers the best of both worlds, so keep reading for tips on how to turn Rosé into your go-to for wine and food pairing all year long.

What is Rosé?

Rosé is known for its many shades of pink — from salmon to cotton candy to geranium. You can make a Rosé from any red or black wine grape, from Grenache to Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon. And just like those red wines have different flavor notes, so do their Rosés. Most Rosé wines taste like strawberries, raspberries, pink grapefruit, rhubarb, lemon, herbs like lavender and eucalyptus, and flowers including rose and orange blossom. Some can range into deeper notes of plum, red cherry, pomegranate, red meat, and bacon. 

Rosé’s many styles 

Rosé wines go by a variety of different names worldwide, including blush and White Zinfandel in the United States, Rosato in Italy, and Rosado in Spain. Here’s a quick spin through major Rosé styles:

Dry French Rosé

For many, the crisp, bone-dry rosés from Southern France are a benchmark. Usually made from grapes like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault, these wines are refreshing with notes of herbs and just a brief hint of fruit.

Rosé Champagne and Sparkling Rosé

They range in style from dry and delicate pale pink wines to richer wines that have vibrant red berry, plum, bacon notes. Sparkling Rosés are often made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is fruity with flavors of berries and watermelon, plus a hint of sugar. It’s made from black Zinfandel grapes that are pressed and then the skin is removed quickly. Wines labeled “blush” have a similar flavor profile. 

Sweet Rosé 

This category includes Pink Moscato, a slightly bubbly mix of white Moscato grapes with a splash of Merlot that’s like drinking a berry fruit cocktail. Brachetto, also from Piedmont, is a deep burgundy color with flavors of cranberry, raspberry, and rose. 

With so many styles of Rosé to choose from it’s easy to find a wine to fit whatever you have a taste for.

Try these Rosé wine and food pairings

1. Mediterranean fare 

Rosé became so linked with the Mediterranean lifestyle because it enhances the region’s menu of seafood, local seasonal produce, and herbs. Pair bolder Rosés made from grapes like Xinomavro, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre with everything from stuffed grape leaves and eggplant dip to grilled octopus, swordfish brochettes, and roasted lamb with lots of oregano. 

2.  Pork and charcuterie 

The bright, fruity flavors that many Rosés share make them a perfect contrast to the rich, salty flavors in pork and cured meats. We love a BLT sandwich with California Rosé, a jamon Serrano with a Garnacha Rosé from Spain, and pepperoni pizza with pink Prosecco. One of our all-time favorite sparkling Rosé food pairings is richly flavored barbecued pork ribs. This works best with a Brut Rosé Champagne or sparkling wine with lots of red berry and plum notes. 

3. Shellfish

Whether you’re craving freshly shucked oysters, shrimp scampi, seared scallops, or roasted lobster, they’re all delicious with a crisp, dry Rosé. Choose a wine from the south of France, such as Tavel or Domaine Ott, a slightly bolder Rosé from the Languedoc-Roussillon, or a California wine made in that same light, citrusy style. 

4. Tomato dishes 

Rosés of all styles and tomatoes are a wonderful match. The fruitiness and acidity in the wine complements the earthy sweetness of tomatoes. Pair any dry Rosé you like with a tomato tart, bruschetta, or any pasta with tomato sauce, from puttanesca to Amatriciana with bacon and onions. 

5. Creamy white cheeses

Rosé cheese pairing is effortless since these wines are delicious with a range of white cheeses. Rosé’s pairing powers extend from mild creamy cheeses like mozzarella and Brie to zestier white cheeses including French feta cheese, and goat cheese of all kinds. Match a sweet Rosé with creamy Cambozola, a blue triple creme cheese from Germany. 

6. Green salads

On those days you feel like wine with your salad, reach for Rosé. The light, herbal notes in a French Rosé will complement the subtle sweetness in lettuce, and popular salad toppings like cheese, tomatoes, ham, and fruit. We especially love Rosé with a salmon and caper salad, a Greek salad with tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, or a chicken salad with strawberries. 

7. Fruit desserts

Sweeter Rosés like White Zinfandel and Pink Moscato are brimming with fruit flavors so it makes sense that they pair well with fruits. Try a sweet Rosé with fruit salads, peach tarts, and strawberry shortcake. Just make sure the wine is sweeter than your dessert; otherwise, the wine will taste sour. 

If you’d like to learn more about Rosé, the different grapes used to make it, and the many styles found around the world, then take a look at our Rosé wine guide.