Last updated: February 10, 2022
Amigas, February is the month for love. Valentines Day…Galentines Day… But instead of a dozen roses, who wouldn’t love a dozen rosés? With almost every wine producer making our favorite pink wine, there are so many diverse and delicious rosés available. In fact, rosé has become a bona fide, serious wine category. Wine store shelves are overflowing with our pink drink! And for some, it has even become a lifestyle beverage…Hampton’s water, anyone?
What is Rosé?
At its most basic level, rosé is essentially a pink wine made from red grapes. But here’s where the story gets delightfully more complicated: Rosé comes in an endless variety of styles, shades, and sweetness levels all based on the winemaker’s pink desires. The pink sky’s the limit! Like a red wine, rosé derives its color from the amount of time the juice spends on the skins. And the amount of residual sugar in a rosé depends upon when fermentation is stopped.
How is Rosé Made?
An ancient form of winemaking, the first rosés likely happened by accident. But nowadays, rosés are made in essentially three ways. The most common are the saignée method, during which a certain amount of juice is “bled” off during normal red wine production and made into rosé, and the direct press method, when grapes are simultaneously crushed and pressed to create pale pink Provence-style rosés. Though not as ubiquitous, rosés can also be made by blending red and white wines.
What can I pair with Rosé?
In a nutshell, anything! Besides being so pretty in pink, much of rosé’s popularity also comes from its versatility. Lighter, drier versions pair well with savory or salty starters and appetizers, while more vibrant, sweeter versions complement light meats and pasta. Rosés also go beautifully with Asian, Indian, or more spiced cuisines. Of course who doesn’t love a refreshing, crisp rosé solo? Love at first sip, no, Amigas?
Recommendations of BIPOC Rosé
