What is Rosé?
Rosé wines are a popular style of pink wine made from red grapes that are enjoyed all over the world. The word "rosé" means “pink” in French, and it describes all wines that are rosy shades from blush to cotton candy to geranium pink. Rosé wines have fruit and floral notes of red wines, but they’re lighter with less alcohol and tannins.
Where does Rosé come from?
Rosé wines are made from red wine grapes, so you see them anywhere wine grapes are cultivated. It’s especially prevalent in warmer areas with a Mediterranean climate such as Southern France, California, Greece, and Italy. Rosés were traditionally saved for hot weather, but now these delicious wines are savored year-round.
How is Rosé made?
Rosé wines start with red wine grapes. The color in red wine comes from the skin, so to make rosé, the winemaker removes the skins from the juice quickly before it turns dark red. Here’s a more detailed description of a common way to make rosé wine:
Winemaking starts with picking grapes at the right time. For dry rosé, grapes are picked when they have higher acidity and less sugar (which means they get picked early, as opposed to letting them sit on the vines longer).
The stems are removed from the grape clusters, and then the grapes, juice, and seeds go into a large metal tank for cold soaking. For rosé, this soaking time may be as short as a couple of hours, just enough time for the skins to give the wine a pink hue and some flavor.
Next, yeast is added to start fermentation. As the yeast eats the sugar in grape juice, it turns the sugar into alcohol.
Once the fermentation is over, the new wine is transferred to an oak barrel, concrete tank, or stainless-steel container to start aging. When the winemaker decides the wine has aged long enough, she perfects the final blend and then bottles the rosé.
Is Rosé wine sweet or dry?
Rosé wine comes in both sweet and dry styles, so it’s easy to find one to please your palate. Pink wines labeled “blush,” “Moscato Rosé,” or “White Zinfandel” are usually sweet rosé wines, while ones labeled as “Rosé,” “Brut Rosé,” or “Rosato” from Italy are usually dry Rosé wines.
If you’re not sure how to find the right style, ask one of our Wine Professional team members to help you find the style you’re seeking.
What does a Rosé wine taste like?
The flavor of rosé wines can vary depending on the type of red wine grape used. A Grenache Rosé or a Pinot Noir Rosé is typically lighter and crisper with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus. A Cabernet Rosé typically has more depth, with deeper flavors of cherry, plum, and a hint of tannin. A sparkling rosé can be made from any red grape, and the bubbles give it a tangier and refreshing flavor profile.
Is Rosé wine a red or white wine?
Rosé wine is neither red wine nor white wine; it’s in its own category n between the two. Rosé wines start with red grapes, but they have more delicate flavors than red wines, and they’re refreshing because they’re served chilled, like white wines.
Should Rosé wine be chilled?
Rosé wine, especially sparkling rosé, should be served chilled. Since it’s served cold, rosé is traditionally a summer alternative to drinking red wine. Still, rosé should be served between 46 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
When should I drink Rosé wine?
You can drink rosé anytime you like; it’s not just a summertime or hot weather wine any longer. Many people drink rosé year-round because its light flavors are so satisfying with everything from seafood to pasta to barbecued pork.
If you’re looking for wine and food pairings, visit our Food and Wine Pairing Guide for some quick tips!
What do you eat with Rosé wine?
Since it’s partway between white and red wine, rosé is a very versatile wine that pairs with virtually any food, from sushi to tomato pasta dishes to chicken and pork. A classic rosé wine and food pairing is Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne paired with grilled New York steak. You just need to choose a style that fits what you’re eating.
When pairing rosé wine and food together, there are few guidelines to keep in mind:
- Like goes with like, so pair delicate wines with subtle foods like seafood, and bolder rosés with meat, like burgers or smoked ribs.
- Opposites attract, so the acid in a sparkling rosé is the perfect foil for tempura or fried chicken.
- If you’re doing a dessert pairing, just make sure the rosé wine is sweeter than the food.
Does Rosé taste like Moscato?
The flavors of rosé wines can vary from dry to sweet, depending on the grape used to make the wine. If you like the peach and honey flavors of Moscato wine, look for a pink Moscato Rosé.
Where is the best Rosé wine from?
Exceptional rosé is made all over the world; some of our favorites are from Greece, Spain, and Italy. But if you want to understand the classic rosé style, look for a wine from the south of France. Southern French Rosés are crisp, with subtle fruit and flavors of herbs and minerals. Explore this style with Tavel Rosé from Provence, or Cote de Rosés and Whispering Angel, both from the Languedoc-Rousillon.
What makes a Rosé a Rosé ?
There’s no formal definition for what qualifies as a rosé wine–it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Any wine that’s a pinkish color, from the palest shell pink to the most vivid strawberry shade, can be called a rosé.
Does Rosé wine go bad?
If you store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark area of your home, your rosé wine shouldn’t go bad. Once you open a bottle of rosé, try to finish it in three or four days. Otherwise, the flavors start to go flat and dull.
What are the most popular brands of Rosé?
Some of the most popular rosé wines are produced by brands like:
Browse our full selection of rosé wines, or take home a couple of bottles of the best Rosé from Provence!
Want to learn more about Rosé?
Visit our Rosé Wine Guide and Blush Wines to learn more about the best dry and sweet pink wines from California, Italy, and France.
