A glass of Rosé is inevitable during these hot summer days. Ready to learn a thing or two about this notorious pink drink?
1) How Rosé got its pink hue
The light pink color is a result of one of three winemaking methods: Maceration, Saignée (or Bled) and Blending. Maceration is the most common method and involves the red wine grape skins to macerate, or soak together, with the juice for a period of time until they reach their desired color. Once the prime pink color has been reached, the skins are removed and the batch is fermented per usual. With maceration, the juice is not able to able to achieve a deep red color, nor remain a pure white either, hence the pretty pink color we’ve come to associate with Rosé.
The Saignée, or Bled, method occurs during the first few hours of making red wine when some of the juice bleeds off and is put in a new vat to make Rosé. This ‘bleeding’ method allows for a more concentrated red wine to alter the wine’s color, turning it pink. As you might have guessed based on the nitty-gritty of this production method, Bled Rosé wines are pretty rare. They usually make up less than 10 percent of a winery’s overall production.
Similar to the Bled Method, the Blending Method adds red wine to a vat of white wine in order to create Rosé. Basically, this version is like that Rosé DIY you once tried but a touch classier (and more legit). Only about 5 percent of the Rosé is actually made up of red wine to create that pink tint. While this method is uncommon, probably due to its lack of sophistication, it happens to be very popular with sparkling Rosé wines.
2) Where Rosé comes from
Who do we have to thank for this pink drink? France, of course. They produce about 25 percent of all Rosé wines, with the Provence region creating the majority of the Rosés of French Rosés. Italy and the United States follow as the next largest producers. More importantly though, the US is the second-largest Rosé consumer after France. So keep up with your fellow countrymen (and women) and continue to drink pink. Merci beaucoup.
3) Why it's so popular
If you’ve ever seen a group of young 20-somethings drinking Rosé like water, there’s probably a reason. Rosé’s light, fruity taste and low level of tannins make it the perfect starting point for new wine drinkers. But don’t get turned away by the young crowd. With primary flavors like citrus, melon, and flowers, Rosé is the perfect refreshing drink on a balmy summer day. So yes, we will Rosé aaalll day.
