By Michael Bray
It’s rosé season! Rosé wines are released each year in the spring, and there’s no better time to “drink pink” than when the days start getting longer and warmer. In honor of our favorite blush-colored beverage, I wanted to answer some common questions and encourage you to venture onto the pink side of wine.
What makes rosé pink?
Regardless of the exterior color of a grape, its juice always starts out clear. Red wines receive their hallmark deep hues from extended contact with the skins and seeds of red grapes during fermentation – a process that can last several weeks. Alternatively, in the most common method of making rosé, winemakers allow the skins of red grapes to ferment along with the juice for a very short period of time (sometimes only a few hours). The resulting wines are light-bodied, fruit-forward, and – you guessed it – pink. The exact shade of pink will vary depending on the grape varietal and how long the winemaker chooses to leave the skins in contact with the juice.
Where is it made?
Rosé wines can be made in any wine region in the world, from any type of red-skinned grape. That said, there are several regions and grape varietals that play a starring role in rosé production. The most classic style of rosé is produced in Provence, France, from blends of grapes like Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. Many Spanish rosés are made from Grenache (or Garnacha) and Tempranillo, and many US-based winemakers produce rosé from Pinot Noir.
What does it taste like?
While some pink wines are indeed sweet (think white zinfandel and pink Moscato), most rosé wines on the market today are dry. A classic, dry rosé can exhibit a range of fruit aromas and flavors, from strawberry and cherry to melon and citrus. They’re typically light-bodied with refreshing acidity and an ABV around 12.5%, and they’re the perfect companions to a variety of warm weather foods (and equally enjoyable all on their own!).
To learn more and taste some excellent examples of rosé wine, join us for our Remarkable Rosé tasting on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30pm at Passion Vines Somers Point. You can register for this and other upcoming events at our website: www.passionvines.com/events
What I’m drinking now: Proprietà Sperino Rosa del Rosa 2021 ($26.49)
This Nebbiolo-based rosé from Piedmont, Italy is a perennial favorite of the Passion Vines team! Proprietà Sperino employs minimally invasive winemaking techniques that honor the earth, and they deliver consistently excellent wines with every vintage. Their Rosa del Rosa 2021 offers hints of ripe peach and strawberry on the nose, with flavors of orange and cherry, complemented by a bright acidity.
If you have any questions about rosé, other varieties of wine, or any other Passion Vines offering, you can email me any time at michael@passionvines.com
Drink Passionately,
Michael
Michael Bray is the founder of and director of operations at Passion Vines Wine & Spirit Company in Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township. He serves on numerous local boards.
