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What Makes Rosé Wine Rosé?

What Makes Rosé Wine Rosé?

By Annemarie D'Alessandro

If you frequent your favorite liquor store during the summer months (hopefully that’s us here at Passion Vines!) you will most likely see a lot more rosé wines. But what exactly makes rosé wines unique? Why do people go crazy for them in the summer?

The color of rosé wines comes from the fermenting process. Most red wines are fermented with red grape skins for weeks, whereas most rosé wines are only fermented with the skins for a few hours. The shade of pink that rosé wines take on are under the complete control of the winemaker – the shorter the skins are fermented with the wine, the paler the overall color and vice versa.

In terms of making rosé itself, there are three methods: maceration, Saignée, and blending. In all of the methods, the winemaking begins with colorless grape juice from red grapes and the color of the end product is developed by the method. Let’s dive into the processes that make each method unique:

Maceration: The winemaker will place red grape skins in the colorless grape juice for a few hours up to a few days. The longer the skins rest in the juice, the deeper the color of the rosé will be. This method is the most common method of making rosé.
Saignée: The winemaker will begin by making a red wine. After crushing the red grapes and allowing them to sit in the juice for a while, some of the now pink grape juice is transferred to its own vat. This new vat is where the yeast is added, the juice ferments, and rosé is made!
Blending: The winemaker will mix a small amount of finished red wine with a small amount of finished white wine. This method is not usually used anymore, but it was most common in making sparkling rosés. The blending method is frowned upon by most winemakers, and it is never used to make rosés from France unless it is a Champagne Rosé. 

Rosé wines are popular in the summer because they combine the best of both worlds in one bottle – you’ll get some berry and cherry notes common in red wines, but you’ll also taste some citrus and melon flavors common in white wines. The fruit-heavy flavor profile makes rosé a great option for sipping poolside in the sun or even paired with your favorite summertime snacks! There are also rosés that are sparkling, adding a bit of fun to traditional rosés.

Younger people are also leaning more towards rosé all year long because it is relatively cheap and the color makes it look rich for any occasion! You can find most decent rosés for $30 or less, making it a fantastic option when you’re on a budget but not willing to compromise on quality. With qualities of red and white wines, it is also a great option for satisfying all wine drinkers at events regardless of whether they prefer white or red wines.

If you haven’t had rosé before, I encourage you to give it a go this summer! My only suggestion would be to go with a rosé that is deeper in color if you’re a red wine drinker or one that is paler in color if you’re a white wine drinker for your first rosé. If you pick a rosé that is closer in color to your traditional go-to wine, you’ll most likely notice some of your favorite flavor profiles. If you like your first rosé, switch it up next time and explore the versatility that rosé wines offer!

 

 

All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages, ratings and product packaging (images) are subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability are subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.

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