Rosé Wines
The weather this week proves that summer certainly isn’t over yet so rejoice rosé wine lovers everywhere: evenings in the garden with a glass of your favourite pink stuff can continue, at least for a few more days!.
Rosé has suffered some hard press over the years. Pink wines have been crafted for hundreds of years and it was the Romans that made the South of France its spiritual home from where it was exported all over the Mediterranean. Made from red grapes, its usually sweeter style remained popular even once red and white varietal wines become more common. Fast forward to the 20th century, with bulk producers such as Mateus and Lancers having much success initially, rosé fell out of favour and become perceived as cheap, sweet and low quality.
But it’s trendy again! Rosé sales have increased by 82% since 2015, no doubt helped by its photogenic nature for social media plus numerous celebrity endorsements. There is rejuvenated interest in superior rosé, with serious wine drinkers appreciating top-quality pink wines from all over the world.
Made from red grapes, rosé wines come in many different pink/salmon/orange hues ranging in intensity. Contrary to popular myth, most rosé wines are not made from blending red and white wines; although the blending of such wines is permitted in the Champagne region of France and some high quality English rosé fizz is made in this way. Otherwise, direct pressing and maceration methods are used to extract colour and flavour from black grapes. Direct pressing produces wines very pale in colour, while allowing the wine to macerate on the skins will produce a wine deeper in colour. The Saignée method is sometimes employed when a rosé wine is made as a by-product of red wine production.
Any black grapes can be used, the most popular being Grenache/Garnacha, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvédre, Pinot Noir, Merlot and many more. On the nose and palete, rosé wines display flavours of citrus, tropical and red fruits, rose petal, orange blossom, jasmine, flint and a host of different spices.
Rosé is a really great food wine, too, a fact people often overlook. Because rosé wines display characterstics of both red and white wines, there is a wide selection of cuisine to pair them with. Greek salad, spicy chicken kebabs, grilled salmon and salad, duck or venison, charcuteries and soft cheeses are all superb accompaniments.
Below are 4 great rosé wines that I’ve enjoyed recently. I was led to many of them during my research for the Rosé Wines Tasting Class back in June where I welcomed 22 keen wine drinkers to Elleray Hall in Teddington.
Cheers to the pink stuff!
The Society’s Corsican Rosé 2022, £10.50, The Wine Society
Delightfully pale in colour from direct pressing and featuring a blend led by the indigenous Sciaccarellu variety. Super value too. https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/the-societys-corsican-rose-2022
Ultimate Provence Rosé 2020, AOP Côtes de Provence, widely available.
A great example of popular Provence Rosé, this bright and vibrant wine also has the most satisfying bottle. Check our the Wine Caverns website as they often have half price offers: https://thewinecaverns.co.uk/products/ultimate-provence-rose
The Ned Rosé 2020/21, Marlborough New Zealand, £11.99, Majestic
The blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, plus extended maceration, gives this wine more colour that other rosés but also brings a delightful creaminess to flavours or rose, citrus and summer fruits. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Majestic ‘Mix 6’ offer in order to take a few pounds off the price: https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/the-ned-rose-08042
Westwell Naturally Petulant Pink 2021, East Sussex, £25, Westwell
A delightfully fun and fruit Pet Nat made with a Champagne blend and macerated for a long weekend to give a wonderful colour. Plenty of wild strawberry, rhubarb and sherbet flavours. Order direct from Westwell or, even better, pay them a visit! https://www.westwellwines.com/collections/all/products/naturally-petulant-pink-2021
