May Virtual Tasting

Rosé Around the World

May 12, 2021 5:00 pm (MDT) / 7:00 pm (EST)

From its pretty pink hue to its refreshing taste on a warm summer day, rosé has become the “it” wine during the Spring and Summer months.

There are some common misconceptions about this blush-colored wine — namely, that it’s too sweet (fact: rosé can be dry, too) or a new type of wine (truth: it’s been around a lot longer than you probably realize).

What is Rosé?

Rosé is a style of wine made from red grapes. While it’s produced similarly to other red wines, the skin contact during fermentation is cut short which gives it a paler pink color.. 

Rosé can be made from any red grape and cultivated in any wine region. Although it has become a recent favorite in the United States, it has been a popular wine in France for centuries, with the region of Provence producing more rosé than any other style of wine. It’s also quite popular in Spain (Rosado) and Italy (Rosato). 

The most common types of red wine grapes used to make rosé are grenache, sangiovese, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan, cinsault, and pinot noir. In some cases, it can be a single varietal made with one type of grape.

How Is Rosé Wine Made?

When grapes are crushed, the juice that comes out of the fruit is clear, When the juice and grape skins marry, the color of the grape skins bleeds into the juice, creating the wine’s color. In winemaking, this process is called maceration.

For rosé, winemakers only macerate for a few hours, up to a day. Once the juice has turned the desired color, the skins are removed and the juice is fermented. 

What Does Rosé Taste Like?

Each type of rosé will taste slightly different based on the type of grapes used to produce it, ranging from savory to dry to sweet.

Expect the following fresh and crisp flavors when you take a sip:

• Red fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries
• Flowers
• Citrus
• Melon
• Celery

Sweet and Dry Rosé Wines

Rosés can be sweet or dry, but most lean towards dry. Old World (Europe) rosés are typically very dry. Rosés produced in the New World (not Europe) are usually sweeter and fruitier. Aside from grape type, climate and production methods contribute to these differences.

Some of the most common types of sweet rosé wines include:

• White Zinfandel
• White merlot
• Pink Moscato

Dry rosés are often made from these grape varietals: 

• Grenache
• Sangiovese
• Syrah
• Mourvèdre
• Carignan
• Cinsault
• Pinot Noir

Purchase the Wine

Pairing Rosé Wines with Food

Best known for its al fresh fruity sipping style, Rosé pairs well with almost everything, including spicy foods, sushi, salads, barbecued meats, roasts, and rich sauces.

Light, dry rosés made from grenache or cinsault grapes from Provence, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley go best with salads, pasta, rice dishes, grilled fish, and seafood.

Medium-dry rosés, like pinot noir, pair well with all of the above or with light, fruity desserts.

Medium-bodied rosés (Southern France and Spain) make bold flavors pop. Pair these with dishes that incorporate the flavors of anchovies, olives, garlic, and saffron. Think paella, grilled chicken, lamb with herbs, or even charcuterie.

Fruity rosés from California, Australia, or Chile can be served with a variety of foods, including spicy curries, barbecue, seared salmon and tuna, or soft cheeses like brie. Try them with ripe peaches, too.

Sparkling rosés are the ultimate party drink and are delicious with desserts and fruit tarts, while rosé Champagne drinks well with grilled lobster, rare lamb chops, or game.

Preparation for the Event

• Tasting Glasses – you will need 4 identical clear wine glasses with stems.
• Environment
  • A computer equipped with a camera and speakers (and/or a headset)
  • A pencil or pen to complete your tasting form
  • A white background for evaluation. This can be a napkin or a blank piece of paper
  • A glass of water
  • A spit bucket, wine opener (or Coravin if you have one)
• Print out the tasting form and the tasting reference.