Rose wine: not only is it the prettiest of all wines, but it is also becoming increasingly more popular. According to Nielsen, dollar sales for rosé in the USA have grown year after year and, in 2019, grew 42%. This pink wine is the 'it' wine right now, and we're more than okay with it. I'm sure you have seen Brut Rose anywhere that wine is sold, but we are here to teach you a few others that can spice up your night. Let's talk about the top selling Rose in the United States and other greats like the Whispering Angel from D'Esclans.
Because this beautiful alcoholic concoction will proceed to get more and more popular, we figured it was time to set the record straight on all of the questions you might have on the beautiful drink.
Is Rosé Just Red and White Wine Mixed Together?
True and not true. If you mixed red and white wine, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it could possibly make a rose-colored wine. So technically, it is true that you could make a rose-colored wine. But, and we cannot stress this enough, this is NOT the sort of rosé you want to drink!
In fact, the mixing of red wine and white wine to produce a rose coloring is discouraged in most wine regions and provinces, and in France, it is even forbidden by law! Pro tip: don't mix your wines while in France. Because if you find yourself on vacation in Bandol in southern France, we won't come bail you out of jail after informing you of this. Instead, we will be sipping our Cotes de Province rosé (aka the real stuff) from our hotel room in New York.
How Is Rosé Made?
The pink hue Rose is produced similarly to red wine. The skins of red wine grapes touch the grape juice for a short period of time. This process is identified as maceration, which, if you asked a Dictionary, is defined as "softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture."
Because we're assuming you've had a grape before, you know that the insides of grapes are clear. Therefore, when any grapes are juiced, the juice is clear. Red wines coming from grapes such as Malbec, Cinsault, Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes are used to get famous wines such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. They get their red coloring because the fermentation lasts for an extended period with their grape's skins. On the other hand, Rose only ferments for a short period, likely a few hours, under winemakers' watchful eye. The longer the skins are with the juice, the more intense and brighter pink the wine will be.
We should mention that other styles of producing rose do exist, but this is the most common and popular technique. Another method is called the Saignee method. French for 'bleed,' this process entails "bleeding" off a portion of red wine juice after contact with the skins. After grapes are picked at optimal ripeness for red wine creation, the juice is put into a vat with the grapes' skins and seeds. After the juice has been in the vat for a few hours or a few days, a portion of the juice is bled off and ferments without grape skins and seeds. This type of rose is typically darker and more robust than rosé that has been created from other methods.
Rosé is made with grape varietals worldwide. Seriously: from Spain, with a Spanish Grenache, Rioja, or Tempranillo Rosado, to Italy, where the Italian Sangiovese Rosato is chief, and France, with the famed provençal rosé or even a rosé Champagne. Our delightful new world rosé grapes are produced in California (Let's hear it for Napa and Sonoma!).
What's the Difference Between Rosé and Pink Moscato?
Both rose and pink Moscato are pink; some people get the two delicious beverages confused. Here's the deal: while they may share a similar rose appearance, rose gets its coloring from maceration while pink Moscato is a blend of white and red grapes. Additionally, Moscato has a noticeably sweeter taste while rose is drier.
Why Is Rosé Wine So Popular?
Ugh. What a question! We don't even know where to begin. As wine lovers, we want to sing our praises for the best rose wines from the rooftops. But instead, we are proclaiming our love for it in a blog post.
Rose is popular for a variety of reasons. Because of its flavor profile, rose can be paired with just about everything. Food pairing options range from chicken to salad to fish and even a big hearty steak, rose fits right into every meal. Rose is not as heavy as red or as light as white and has great versatility within its family. You can find a rose that's deep in pink to the lightest pink and match it with every food there. Plus, it's one of the few consistently affordable wines. Rose also happens to be incredible in cocktails, and because of its affordable price, you won't feel as guilty mixing it with other flavors.
Should Rosé Be Refrigerated?
Although preference has something to do with it, temperature can dramatically alter the taste of a wine. The ideal temperature for dry rose wine is generally on the cooler side. Our professional suggestion is to put white and rose wines in the fridge immediately after purchasing so that when you're ready to drink it, it's at the perfect temperature.
What’s the Best Way to Drink Rosé?
Rose wine is beautiful in liquid form. Drink rose whenever your heart desires, assuming it's appropriate and you're not operating heavy machinery or something like that! Typically, people think of rose as the summer drink because it feels light and fresh. But, heck! In our world, we drink rose whenever the craving hits! If it's winter and the craving strikes, pop open the can and sip!
Are All Rosés Dry?
Rose wine can be either sweet or dry, but typically they are more on the dry end of the taste spectrum. The primary flavors in rosé are red fruit, flowers, citrus acidity, and watermelon, with a pleasant green taste. In general, rosé has a similar flavor profile of light red wine but is brighter and crisper both in its pale pink color and fruity flavor.
How Do I Pick the Best Rosé?
Well, you start by picking Bev's, of course. She’s crisp, dry, and a little fizzy like a sparkling wine or sparkling rose with aromatics of fresh strawberry and raspberry, paired with a crisp white peach finish. She makes friends in the bathroom line; she wears whatever the f@#$% she wants; she calls you a Lyft home. Trust us: spend a night out with rosé and have a hell of a time.
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