The Ultimate Guide to Rosé
Looking to find your Summer Rosé? Whether you're a regular rosé sipper or looking to dip your toes in to this style of wine. Here are our tips on how to find a bottle you're going to love.
Since Rosé can be made in a variety of styles varying in grapes and regions across the world, all Rosés have their own unique look, taste, and smell. So, how can you figure out which bottle to pick when there are so many choices out there? Keep reading to learn what Rosé really is, how its made, and our top picks to try out for yourself!
What is Rosé?
What is in a rosé?
Rosé is typically made with red wine grapes, such as:
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Syrah
- Grenache
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tempranillo
- Sangiovese
- Zinfandel
Rosé can be made from single grape varietals, or a blend of many. This varies depending on the producer and the style of wine they are looking to create.
How does Rosé get its colour?
Although red grapes are what is primarily used to make rosé wine, the grape juice from both white and red grapes is actually white. All wine gets it colour from the skins of the grape.
How Rosé Is Made
There are three primary ways to make Rosé.
1. The Maceration Method - This is probably the most common method of producing Rosé. It occurs during fermentation where the juice and skins of a grape are brought together, giving the juice its colour, flavours, tannins and all. This process is known as maceration, and is the most common method to produce rosé. What makes Rosé different, is that to give these wines the signature pink colouring and light flavour we all know and love, the process of maceration generally only lasts between 4-12 hours.
This is in contrast to red wine, which usually lasts around 2 weeks, and resulting in a darker wine colour and more intense flavour. So, if the colour of a wine is darker than another, then you know that is had longer skin contact. Winemakers have full control over this process, which is why we see Rosé come in all different colours and flavours.
2. The Saignée or "Bleeding" Method - Just like its name would suggest, this method involves the "bleeding" of red grapes within the first few hours of making red wine. The juice that "bleeds off" is then put into a new vat to make Rosé.
Napa and Sonoma, regions known for making fine red wine, are also well known for using this method to create Rosé.
3. The Blending Method - This is the method that we think a lot of people believe is common practice for making a Rosé. The truth of the matter is, it's actually not very common at all.
This method, as you would expect, involves blending red and white wines to make Rosé. Again, this is uncommon, especially with still Rosé wines, but can be seen when making sparkling wine in regions such as Champagne.
Rosés You Need to Try
Want to expand your palate to include more regions and varietals of rosé? Keep reading to learn about six of our favourites from Italy, Argentina, France, Spain, and California, and discover your next favourite bottle!
Tenuta Santomè Rosé
From Veneto, Italy, this is not your typical floral style of Rosé. Made from a blend of four red grapes (Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon) the result is a richer, deeper, and more concentrated Rosé.
When sipping on this, serve it chilled! Expect intense smells of fresh floral hints and delicate fruits such as apple, currant, and raspberry. This bottle is fresh and dry, and you'll still get that juicy rosé taste without the sweetness.
Pair Tenuta Santomè Rosé with risotto, pasta with tomato sauce, young cheeses, and fish dishes.
Wines of Carlos Basso Malbec Rosé - Dos Fincas
While French Rosés are the popular choice (and for good reason!) we are switching things up this Spring with a Malbec rosé from the world’s most popular Malbec region: Argentina.
Dos Fincas Malbec Rosé has bright cherry colours mixed with the scents of fresh fruits, and vanilla. Looking for a unique Rosé to bring to your next dinner party? This is it! Try pairing this bottle with beef, spicy food, mature and hard cheese, and poultry.
Château Roubine La Vie en Rosé
France's Côtes de Provence region is famous around the globe for producing Rosé.
Did you know Provence is home to The Center for Rosé Research, the world's first and only research facility dedicated solely to Rosé?
Château Roubine has managed to strike the perfect balance with La Vie en Rose Rosé. The gorgeous rose covered bottle holds notes of strawberry, peach, vanilla, and citrus, while staying on the drier, slightly acidic end of the taste spectrum.
As one of the oldest wine estates in France, Château Roubine has been cultivating, growing, and bottling wine since the 14th century.
Zinio Rosado
Aromatic with notes of strawberries and watermelon, Zinio Rosado is from Spain's Rioja region. Made of 100% Tempranillo, this dry Rosé features aromas of candied sweets and a rush of citrus on the nose.
Expect a fuller, more flavourful Rosé. If you love Spanish wines, this is going to be your new favourite! Looking for the perfect companion to a glass of Zinio Rosado? Go for smoked fish, pasta, or paella.
OZV Winery Primitivo Rosé
From Lodi, California, OZV Winery Primitivo Rosé is a blend of 92% Primitivo and 8% Pinot Noir. If you love light Rosés, this is the one for you! This bright wine has perfectly balanced acidity and flavours of pink grapefruit and nectarine. On the nose, it has aromas of strawberry and florals.
Refreshing with a crisp, clean finish, this is a great wine to serve on the patio with your favourite Spring salad!
Thomas George Estates Rosé of Grenache
Want to try a Rosé made from 100% Grenache grapes? Go for this bottle from Thomas George Estates, from Sonoma County, California. If you're a fan of Provence Rosés, you'll love this bottle!
Aged for four months in 85% concrete and 15% stainless steel, this wine is refreshing and clean - it's the perfect wine to chill and serve on a warm Spring day. Bright and juicy with notes of red fruit, melon, rhubarb, and grass, be sure to pair this wine with your favourite spicy shellfish dish!