Rosé Wine 101: Your Ultimate Guide to Styles, Grapes, and Food Pairings.

Unpack the world of rosé wine with our comprehensive guide to different styles and grape varietals.

How Rosé is made

At Classic Drinks, we believe that understanding how a wine is made adds to the enjoyment of the tasting experience.  Unlike red wines that extract their colour from extended grape skin contact, rosé wines are crafted using a shorter maceration period. This short stint of skin contact allows just a touch of colour to infuse into the wine. This gentle approach results in the spectrum of pink hues that we see today, ranging from pale blush to vibrant salmon.

 

Range of Styles

Rosé wine isn’t one-dimensional. Just like red and white wine, there is a whole range of styles to choose from.  Here are three contrasting examples:

The Provence Style

One of the most popular styles is Provence rosé, known for its pale colour and delicate flavours of red berries and grapefruit.  This are typically Grenache-led wines, detectable by their glycerol-like texture and candied flavours.

The Spanish Style

If you prefer a richer, more textural and fruit-forward rosé, look for the Spanish or Californian styles, often deeper in colour with bolder flavours of ripe strawberries and notes of tropical fruits.  The Spanish call Rosé, Rosado.

The Off-Dry Style

Lastly, if your preference is for some residual sweetness in your wine, we recommend an off-dry Rosé from Anjou in the Loire Valley.  Many of these are blends with Cabernet Franc and the local Grolleau, offering sweet red fruit aromas with a subtle herbaceous note.

 

The Influence of Grape Variety

Like all great wines, the grape variety, or blend of varieties, plays a significant role in shaping the flavours and aromas of rosé.  Some of the most widely used grape vareties include Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, which are key players in creating the classic Provence-style. In Italy, you’ll find delightful rosé wines made from Sangiovese and Montepulciano, offering vibrant acidity and floral notes. For something drier, try a rosé made from Pinot Noir, known for its elegant and nuanced aromas.

 

Hungry? Why not pair your meal with a rosé?

 

Rosé, as a category, has the gastronomic range to pair with a wide variety of food types.

The art of food pairing is all about finding the harmonious balance between the flavours of the wine and the dishes you’re enjoying.

 

Provence Rosé

For those moments when you’re sipping on a chilled and crisp rosé from Provence, you’ll want to complement it with light and refreshing bites. Think of dishes that bring out the zesty and fruity notes of the wine. A refreshing watermelon and feta salad with a hint of mint is a delightful choice, as the juicy sweetness of the watermelon pairs beautifully with the bright acidity of the rosé.

 

Spanish Rosé

If you’re savouring a fuller-bodied rosé with more intense flavours, it’s time to fire up the grill and get ready for some hearty pairings. Grilled salmon or tuna steak seasoned with herbs and a squeeze of lemon perfectly complements the richness of the wine, while the charred edges add a delightful smokiness.

 

Off-Dry Rosé

Off-dry rosé, due to the residual sugar, is very effective in offsetting the heat that comes with spicier cuisines like Indian and Thai.  Next time you place an order for spicy Thai noodles, why not scan the menu for a sweeter style of rosé?  The balanced acidity in the wine will help to cleanse the palate throughout the meal.

No matter which flavour profile you prefer, the versatility of rosé wine makes it a versatile companion for a wide range of occasions and culinary adventures.

 

Examples of Rosé from Classic Drinks Portfolio

 

If you’re in search of captivating rosé wines that will transport you to different corners of the wine world, look no further than the Classic Drinks Portfolio.

Provence Style

Château Gassier’s rosé is a quintessential Provence rosé with a complex array of flavours ranging from grapefruit, redcurrant, strawberry, peach and sea salt.  A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, from organic grapes, offers up a smooth and fruity palate and to a crisp and minerally finish.

 

Spanish Style

The Sierra Salinas rosé hails straight from the beautiful wine region of Alicante, Spain, Sierra Salinas Rosé is a delightful a blend of local grape varieties, resulting in a wine that embodies the essence of Spanish winemaking. With its enchanting deep pink hue, ripe red fruit aromas, and refreshing acidity, this rosé is always a crowd pleaser.

 

Off-Dry Style

The Caves de l’Angevine Rosé d’Anjou originates from the esteemed Anjou region and truly captures the essence of its terroir.  From a blend of Gamay Noir, Grolleau and Cabernet Franc, you can expect delicate aroma of red fruit and blackcurrant leaf with a subtle touch of sweetness on the palate.

 

See all these wines and more in our Wine Brochure here.