When I was first introduced to Rosé wine, it was called blush wine and came in a gallon jug; it was generally sweet and often found over ice at pool side parties. Next came white zin in a box, a drier cousin to the classic rosé with an easy pour spout and groovy new packaging that allowed it to stay fresh in the fridge for weeks.Frequently regarded as the ‘gateway’ wine for many sophisticated wine drinkers today, this varietal got a bad rap and is known as the varietal that ruined pink wines forever.
While we Americans were moving on to Merlot, the European wine market in the 2000’s was busily producing wonderfully rich and memorable rosé wines, blending a wide variety of grapes and skins together to give it that ‘almost red’ flavor, with little concern for the sugary palate. It’s actually the grape skins that give the wine its color, which can range from onion-skin orange to a vivid magenta depending on the varietals used and the blending techniques.
Like all wine varietals, roses range nicely from sweet to dry, fruity to earthy, sparkling or still. Where a White Zin from California will still have some sweetness, it will be based more on the natural sugars from the grapes themselves and showing off the fruit flavors of raspberry, strawberry and other red berries. A Provencal rose on the other hand will be more dry with prominent notes of flower, citrus and herbs. A sparkling rose with fresh summer salad is perfect, but secretly I like it best with spicy Mexican food…que delicioso!
So forget everything you’ve ever heard about pink wine being not really wine and grab a few bottles to try; just because someone put it in a box years ago doesn’t mean its not a very worthy wine to serve and enjoy. Cheers!
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La Vieille Fermo Ricolte, Italy $9 – Organic wine with delicate red fruits, flowers and citrus
Folktale Sparkling Rosé, California $20 – Soft notes of watermelon, kiwi and cheery with a bright, creamy finish
Simple Life Rosé, California $12 – fresh and smooth with strawberry, cranberry and hibiscus
Paul Jaboulet Aine Rosé, France $16 – classic southern rhone with rich red berries and earth