For many people summer marks the beginning of rosé wine season. It’s light, fruity and fresh, making it especially satisfying to drink during warmer months and incredibly food-friendly for outdoor gatherings. It’s uncomplicated, fun and it’s pink. All the reasons why we love rosés so much!
Pink Wines: Setting the Record Straight
Recently, a friend – a self-described wine snob who shall remain nameless! – commented that “rosé is not wine.” Upon further inquiry we came to realize that this friend’s comment was largely due to a long-held bias against all rosés stemming from a misplaced association with white zinfandel – a sweet, mass-produced and inexpensive rosé from California which rose to prominence in the 1970s and remains popular among certain consumers in the United States. Unlike white zinfandel, rosé wines from France and Spain (where it is called rosado, which means pink) are generally dry (i.e., not sweet) or less dry than rosés produced in California and outside of Europe.
Another common misconception about rosé wine is that it’s made from simply mixing red and white wine together. On the contrary, there are specific methods used for making rosé wines, with most being made predominantly from red grape varieties that are crushed and left to macerate for a short period of time to extract color from the grape skins (which gives the wine its pink color) prior to being pressed and fermented.
Finally, unlike some red wines, rosé wines are meant to be drunk young and do not improve with age. They are at their freshest, and ideally should be consumed, within a year of their release date.
Step Aside, Provence: !Hola Rosado!
In spite of white zinfandel and other misconceptions in the marketplace, during the past several years, rosé wines have, deservedly, become all the rage, especially the delicate and beautifully bottled rosés from Provence, France – the champion region for rosé wines and undoubtedly responsible for putting them on the world stage. Provençal rosés are made from a combination of local red grape varieties, which include, most significantly, Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The best examples are pale pink in color, with aromas of strawberry, grapefruit and rose petals, refreshing acidity and very light bodied.
However, while we owe it to France for putting quality rosé on the world map, there are excellent rosé wines made in other parts of the world, notably in Spain. In particular, rosados from the Rioja wine region are well-regarded and becoming increasingly popular for their excellent quality and value. Although they are sometimes made with Tempranillo, a local red grape variety used in making some of the finest red wines of Spain, rosados from Rioja are typically made with Garnacha (Grenache), which is often blended with smaller amounts of Tempranillo or Viura (a local white grape variety also known as Macabeo). The resulting wine is usually deeper in color and fuller bodied than a rosé from Provence. The best examples, are a bright, vivid pink (or salmon-pink) color, with notes of strawberry, red cherry and cranberry and a fresh finish.
Three Spanish Rosados to Try this Summer
We’ve sampled – very happily, indeed! – several rosés this summer, and among our favorites are the following three rosados from Rioja:
2016 Bodegas Muga Rosado
Grape Varieties: 60% Garnacha, 30% Viura and 10% Tempranillo
Cost: $14.99
Tasting Notes: Pale to medium salmon-pink in color, with pronounced aromas and flavors of red berries, and notes of citrus and stone fruit from the white wine component. Unlike most rosados, this wine has been aged in oak for a short period, giving it a bit more body and complexity than the 2016 Pedro Martinez Alesanco Rosado and the 2016 Ostatu Rosado described below. Delicious with mouthwatering acidity. Our favorite of the three.
2016 Pedro Martinez Alesanco Rosado
Grape Varieties: 90% Garnacha and 10% Viura
Cost: $9.99
Tasting Notes: Pale to medium salmon in color, with aromas and flavors of red berries, floral notes and hints of orange and grapefruit. Made in a style similar to the 2016 Bodegas Muga Rosado described above. Lovely with crisp and refreshing acidity.
2016 Ostatu Rosado Rioja
Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha and a small amount of Tempranillo Blanco.
Cost: $14.99
Tasting Notes: Pale pink in color, with delicate aromas and flavors of tart red berries and floral notes. Tangy, modern and fresh. The lightest bodied of the three.
Food Pairing
Its fresh acidity, light and fruit-forward style, make rosé a very food-friendly wine. These three rosados paired masterfully well with a cheese and charcuterie plate, which included Spanish goat and manchego cheeses, chorizo and ham.
We hope you enjoyed this post and the rosados we featured. We would love to hear what you think of them!
!Salud!