Rose Wine – The Ideal Wine for Summertime

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer. –

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Ah, summer. Fresh air, sweet-salty feta and watermelon salad and a flared-lip glass of Rose wine. Perfection! Served chilled, the strawberry notes of Rose will refresh your palate and take you to the picturesque Province, France.

Rose is a specific taste; it is a wine that you might not be too sure just how to enjoy. It isn’t red and it isn’t white, so what is it?

It’s made out of purple grapes (Grenache, Sangiovese, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Pinot Noir) – sometimes one type of grape is used or it could be a combination. Most rose wines are considered to be dry wines, but if you come across a sweet one, then chances are that there is added sugar. Below we’ll go over how it’s made, how you should serve it, and some non traditional ways to enjoy a glass of rose wine.

There are four main ways that Rose is produced, the first is called direct pressing. This method is when the grapes are crushed and pressed only extracting a little colour from the skin. The second method it called the drawing off method which is when red wine is produced and once fermentation has begun, the juices are drawn off and fermented even more to retain the fruit flavours. The third is called saignee which is used to produce red wine, rose is just a by-product while it is being made. The last method which is frowned upon, is to blend red and white wine together to make a pink wine.

Rose is served slightly warmer than white wine, anywhere between 8-11 degrees Celsius. It has a complex fruit flavour and mild tannins; it does come in many different varieties so a great rule of thumb to stick to, is the lighter the colour, the longer it should be chilled for. You want a tall slightly flared glass so you can really pick up on the crisp, fruity flavours of the wine. You want to have it in the fridge for at least an hour and a half before serving.

I recommend you drink it dry. Don’t just pick any, splurge on a past vintage. There are some quality choices, mostly originating from the south of France and Sicily. A dry glass of Rose wine can go with plenty of foods; a classic and favourite combination is a glass of rose and grilled fish drizzled with some good olive oil. This is a really friendly wine and with the right combination can make your day just right.

Another great choice would be a nice glass of rose champagne. You will spend more but most people would agree this is the best way to drink rose wine. Rose champagne is good when you’re on the beach eating oysters or some seafood, it is the nicest way to enjoy this wine. You want to choose a rose champagne that has been aged a little; the difference is well worth the benefits.

And finally, a surprise – Rose is a popular choice as a mixer in cocktails. There are so many great cocktails that incorporate this wine and no wonder why, the colour is spectacular and the flavour can blend so nicely and smoothly with others. It is particularly good in summer themed cocktails mixed with fruits, rose water, or some citrus. There ain’t this wine can’t do. Have a quick peek here for some great Rose wine cocktail recipes.