I recently had a conversation with a client about rosé wines. She said she is often confused about rosés – the lightish red, salmon and pink-hued wines that blanket retail store shelves and restaurant wine lists. She thought rosé wine was a mix of red and white wines together. Yet, there is so much more to it. I thought it would be a good time again to share how rosé wines are typically made and become different shades of pink.
Is rosé a red or white wine? It’s a type of wine that gives us a spectrum of styles, including dry, off dry and sweet, as well as colors. Rosé wines are made from red grapes. When grapes are pressed, the extracted juice is clear most of the time, regardless of whether the grape is white or red. Red and rosé wines receive their color not from the juice but from the juice’s contact with the grapes’ skins.
For rosé wines, winemakers allow the skins to soak with the juice for only a short period of time, usually hours. For red wines, the grapes’ skins and juice remain in contact for days or weeks. The length of time depends on the desired color and taste. The wine then goes to fermentation.
Rosé wines are great food partners, having the ability to pair with lighter dishes such as salads and shellfish, as well as grilled meats. Additionally, rosé wines come from different countries. At one time, France was the most renowned place for rosés, but winemakers in other countries are giving France some competition. Bottles of rosé can range from $10 to more than $100. But you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy a good rosé.
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THE LIGHTER SIDE: Solid rosé wines can be found for under $30, including this selection.
COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO[/caption]
Here are my top rosé picks this season that are less than $30.
La Spinetta Rosé of Sangiovese, Italy. This is from Tuscany and made from organically grown sangiovese grapes. It has bright cherry and raspberry notes that meld beautifully. The palate emulates the nose, and it rounds out at the end with a nicely acidic profile. It is vivacious and pairs well with salads with goat cheese and dried cranberries, grilled shrimp and pan-seared salmon. Less than $25.
Jérémie Huchet Chapeau Melon Rosé, France. Made from the grapes gamay noir and pinot noir grown in the Loire Valley, this French rosé has vibrant, crisp notes of black cherry, watermelon and raspberry. It’s nicely fruity without being sweet. It is fermented completely dry. On the nose, aromas of rose petals jump from the glass. The label’s artsy nature is an added benefit. It pairs best with grilled shrimp, tuna sushi rolls, and risotto with ground sausage. Less than $20.
Los Dos Rosé, Spain: From Campo de Borja in northeastern Spain, this rosé wine is made from 100% garnacha (known as grenache in other parts of the world). Its time in stainless steel tanks adds to its crisp, clean flavor profile. A pretty salmon color, it shows us strawberry, bing cherry and raspberry notes on the palate. Creamy, it has a slight spiciness at the end. Pair it with paella, crab salad, fish tacos, or grilled ham and Gruyere cheese sandwiches. Less than $13.
Borell Diehl Saint Laurent Rosé, Germany: We don’t encounter a plethora of rosés from Germany, so it’s a real treat when we can find one. To make it even better, this selection comes in a 1-liter size bottle, instead of a normal size 750-milliliter bottle. It is made from Saint Laurent. Its color is a light pale pink and its aromatic profile is of pink roses, while the palate gives us black berry and strawberry notes, ending with a dry finish. They do not use herbicides or pesticides in their growing processes. Great with grilled asparagus and fennel, grilled chicken with rosemary and turkey burgers. Less than $20. n
Jessica Norris Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich. She can be reached through her website, www.jessicagranatiero.com or by email at jessica@thesavorygrape.com.
