What is sparkling red wine?
Let’s face it. We don’t share a red & white world. The same goes for vino! Sparkling wines vary tremendously in style, quality, and color, depending on numerous variables. Sparkling rosé wine is no exception. Not all rosé is sparkling, but sometimes it makes one wonder why because what’s not to like about fizz?
From a traditional sparkling Brut Rosé or a daring Prosecco-based sparkling rosé to an elegant Champagne Rosé worthy of Her Majesty, the variations transcend far beyond the wine’s pigment or its many famed appearances on the silver screen.
The French word "rosé" means a wine type that features color from the skins of dark grapes — though less dark than what’s officially a red wine. Note: If you want to try a primo Portuguese or Spanish Rosé, look for the word "rosado," and if you favor a lovely Italian look for "Rosato."
Believe it or not, not all sparkling rosé can be described as "pink sparkling wine." The color can span from light orange to almost purplish, so ignore those cliché fuchsia images in the ‘weekend romance package’ hotel ads.
Like a bubbly Blanc de Noir, a sparkling rosé pairs well with many richly seasoned entrées. Sweeter rosés go nicely with desserts, and you’ll notice its acidity and effervescence is a reliable palate cleanser.
How is sparkling rosé made?
Rosé wines are made the world over from all kinds of grape types. Rosé wines can be made still, semi-sparkling or sparkling, and with a wide range of sweetness levels from highly dry Provençal Rosé to sweet White Zinfandels and blushes.
Wondering how rosé gets rose-colored and sparkly? Good practical reasons! Rosé wine can be produced anywhere red wine is made because it’s basically a byproduct of a red winemaking method called Saignée (French for ‘bleeding’). The excess pink juice that’s removed is fermented in its own vat, thereby creating rosé.
But, winemakers also enlist two other methods to make rosé wine. They can simply blend red wine into white wine. Or, if their main product is rosé wine, they may use the ‘skin contact’ method. The skins of crushed black grapes are left in the juice from 2-20 hours. Then, the batch is pressed, the skins are tossed, and the wine continues through fermentation, just as with red winemaking. If they want a darker rosé, the winemaker just leaves the skins in longer.
Alas comes the bubble making! We can thank carbon dioxide for fizzies developed by means of three methods to sparkle your rosé. The traditional process entails running the pink juice batch through a second fermentation at final bottling when a bit of sugar and yeast is added to the wine bottles before capping them, and the pressure naturally forms inside.
The second means is the Charmat Method. After the first fermentation, the wine is pressured in a big tank to produce sparkling wine in bulk. The second fermentation occurs there instead of in the bottles.
And finally, the third method is done only for inexpensive sparkling wines where carbon dioxide is directly injected into the wine.
Regardless of the carbonation technique used, as the bottles are uncorked, the bubbles come alive as they reach the glass — just in time to tickle your nose and lift your spirit.
In making any sparkling wine, climate temperatures also play a significant role in the flavor. Warmer environments tend to create a more full-bodied, complex sparkling rosé, but cooler temps lead to fruitier, sweeter grapes to later savor in a bubbly dessert rosé.
Regardless of whether the grapes used were grown in a cool or warm climate, be sure sparkling rosé is served between 39°F to 44°F, as most sparkling wines should be drank really cold.
What are the different kinds of sparkling rosé?
Unlike sparkling rosés of the 1970s-1990s, today’s are dry, refreshing though refined, and made in some of the world’s most renowned winemaking regions. Expect to see wide selections of sparkling rosé wines spanning many styles and flavors, from Moscato and Prosecco Rosé blends to Rosé’s Champagne creations.
Okay, now comes the most important, exciting step for a proud winemaker or fan of this iconic pink sparkling wine. Popping the cork!
