Anything is possible with a bottle of Rosé and sunshine.”
Those were the words spoken to me last summer by a winemaker while my husband and I were visiting a beautiful vineyard in Provence, France.
In celebration of National Rosé Day on June 8, let’s explore the popular world of rosés.
Many people are surprised to learn that Rosé is one of the oldest styles of wine; it has been sipped for thousands of years, way before the popularity of the hashtag #roseallday. There is evidence of the production and consumption of rosé dating back to the Phoenicians, around 1550 B.C. – 300 B.C., and the Ancient Greeks, around 600 B.C.
Rosé is not a specific type of grape — it’s simply a genre of wine, like reds and whites. It is usually a blend, meaning it can be made from a variety of grapes. The most common types of red wine grapes used to make rosé are grenache, sangiovese, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan, and pinot noir.
Although it has become a recent favorite in the United States, Rosè has been a mainstay in France for centuries, with the region of Provence producing more rosé than any other style of wine. This region is the most consistent for creating high-quality Rosé at any price point. If you are ever in doubt when selecting a bottle of rosé, I recommend choosing one from the region of Provence.
There are 4 methods for producing rosé wine: maceration, saignée, direct press, and blending. Maceration is the most common method and involves crushing the grapes and allowing them to rest in their skins for a short period. The reduced skin contact is what gives rosé its signature pink color. The longer it sits, the darker the pink color will be; the skin is removed after a few hours or up to several days.
Rosé wine is not meant to be “aged.” It’s best consumed within 2-3 years of its release, and it’s best served chilled, like other heavier white wines, typically 50-60 degrees F.
When it comes to food pairings, Rosé pairs well with BBQ, spicy food, chicken and pork, sushi, seafood, charcuterie, tapas, salads, and pizza.
You can also pair a bottle of Rosé with any day that ends in “Y”.
Be sure to have a great bottle of rosé on hand to celebrate National Rosé Day on June 8th . Other notable wine holidays in June are Drink Chenin Blanc Day on June 20th and World Lambrusco Day on June 21st . Cheers to
all the “major” wine holidays!
Happy Sipping!