For some people, rosé is a go-to wine choice, while for others, it is slightly confusing as it isn’t entirely white and isn’t red.
Rosé is a pink wine and has a whole different taste compared to other wine categories you may be familiar with. That isn’t to say you should be skeptical of rosé, as there are hundreds of delicious, crisp types waiting to be enjoyed by you. From Provence to Vermont and around the world, rosés are in high demand by consumers and winemakers are happy to provide.
With so many possibilities, it would be a shame for you never to find the right bottle of rosé for you. To help you feel more confident when making your selection, read on for the essential things to keep in mind when buying a bottle of rosé.
1. Don’t worry too much about grape varietal.
Unlike other types of wine (red and white), when you are buying a bottle of rosé, you don’t need to be too concerned about its grape varietal.
Rosé is made globally from Italy to Chile, Spain to the United States and can be produced with grapes from any region. If you aren’t sure what region to purchase rosé from, consider which red wines you enjoy as almost every red wine-producing area also produces rosé. In other words, if you enjoy a glass of Spanish tempranillo, then you should try Spanish rosé.
What’s more, during the rosé-making process, the grape loses a lot of its flavor, making it difficult for individuals to pinpoint the exact grape varietal from a blind-test.
That isn’t to say that it has no taste. In fact, the opposite is true! There just isn’t as much variety in the grapes as there is with other types of wine. Rosé is a dry wine similar to many white wines with a lighter flavor than most red ones. For this reason, it makes for the perfect refreshing drink on a summer afternoon or when paired with a lighter meal.
2. Do look at the color.
While you may not be paying too much attention to the grape varietal, you do want to note the color of the rosé, as this will provide you with a lot more information about its flavor.
Generally, rosé is made in Provencal-style, the traditional style of Southern France. When prepared this way, the grape juice and skins are left to sit together for a short time, which gives the final result a lighter-pink color. Therefore, the clearer the pink, the lighter and crisper the flavor.
Rosés that are aged for a few years have a darker-color; however, they aren’t very common. If you do try one of these types of rosés, then you can expect to taste a wine that has more body and a richer, more earthy flavor – more similar to red wine than white.
3. Different rosés pair well with diverse foods.
If you are purchasing rosé to go with a meal, consider the pairing as different rosés complement different foods. One of the most popular styles of rosé is Grenache rosé, which tastes delicious
with spicy dishes (such as Thai or Indian) and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Alternatively, Sangiovese rosé has a cleaner and more acidic taste, which makes it an ideal pairing for Italian meats such as prosciutto, salami, and pancetta, and cheese boards.
Tempranillo Rosé is always an excellent choice for gifting or bringing to people’s homes as it goes with almost any food – and tastes good on its own. Whether the menu is vegetarian, vegan, or heavily dominated with hot dogs, steaks, and burgers, you can be assured that a tempranillo rosé will work nicely.
Other potential options include Pinot noir rosé, which is suitable for salads and light grilled chicken or fish dishes, and the lovely, vibrant Syrah rosé, which is particularly splendid with garlic and citrus dishes from Southern France or Italy. White Zinfandel rosé is sweeter than most other types and is best when served with bold flavors such as curries and fatty, savory meats.
That being said, you don’t want to pair rosés with desserts as sweet foods will most likely make the wine taste bitter.
4. Purchase from smaller producers.
When considering your next rosé purchase, don’t immediately go for big name brands. There are a wide variety of smaller producers making fantastic bottles all around the world. Many of these smaller vineyards and independent winemakers are producing some of the most delicious and flavorful products on the market.
Plus, you usually get a higher-quality product at a better price if you opt for a smaller producer, as they tend to shower more love and attention to their vines and the whole process overall. The care that these farmers give to their wine-making will show in the quality of the final product that you purchase in a store.
One of the best ways to find out about these smaller producers is to conduct research either online or by talking to other wine aficionados.
For example, if you have a regular wine shop or restaurant that you often go to, you can strike up a conversation with the expert there and discuss the types of flavors you enjoy. There is a good chance that they will be able to steer you in the direction of something else that will suit your palate.
That being said, you want to take risks every now and again when it comes to picking wines. After all, that is the only way you are going to continue developing your palate and learn about new wines that you may (potentially) love. There is so much innovation happening in the wine-making world that it would be a shame for you to miss out on it because you’ve only ever stuck with certain beverages.
What do you consider before you purchase a bottle of rosé? Do you like to experiment with new types, or do you tend to stick with your favorite ones?
Let us know in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Valentina Chessa is the Retail Marketing Manager at African + Eastern, the largest alcohol retailer in the Middle East with a network of 29 stores in the UAE, 5 in Oman, and a team of over 400 professional staff. The company boasts an extensive portfolio of beer, wine and spirits, and customers can shop online or at one of its conveniently located stores.
