What are the Most Popular Types of Rose Wine?
I’m the first to admit when I first started to drink rose wine, I thought it was made by mixing red and white wines. Or at least the grapes! But really, rose is something a little different because while it often uses the same grapes as red, the processes used to make it is very different. I’m now a huge rose fan but there’s still a lot to learn about this pink wine!
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Rose wine basics
According to Wine Folly, when a wine isn’t quite a red, it’s a rose. That’s because the same grapes are often used for both, but the production methods are different. White Zinfandel, for example, uses the same grapes as Red Zinfandel but the end result is a completely different bottle of wine. Or in some cases, it really is a blend of white and red grapes, just as I always thought.
Rose wine history
Rose wine did start out as a mixture of red and white grapes way back in the times of Ancient Greece and this was seen as a good way to dilute wine – the civilised way to drink it. Only barbarians drank pure wine! In the 6th century, wine arrived in Southern France and these blended wines were made there with the pink wines of Massalia becoming famous.
The wine did go through a rough patch until the early 2000s when quality rose wines became to be made around the world, especially in the US. As celebrities started to drink (and create) it, the demand took off. And now it continues to grow year on year in terms of demand and varieties.
Storing rose wine
When it comes to storing rose wine, it is best in a wine rack, on its side. Keep unopened bottles are around 45-60 F (7-15 C), somewhere that is quite dark. Ideally, serve rose wine at 51-54 F (10-12 C) so this might mean popping it in the fridge for a short time before serving. Store any opened bottles in the fridge and it will be okay for several days before it starts to deteriorate in taste.
Rose wine glasses
When it comes to having the right glasses for a drink, not only is it fun but also helps with the taste of the drink. In the case of rose wine, you can use your white wine glasses because they are very similar. Rose wine only has a small amount of skin exposure compared with reds so there’s not the need for the red wine glasses.
You can also get special rose wine glasses that have a shorter bowl and are a little tapered, sometimes with a flared rim. But if in doubt, a good white wine glass will do the job nicely.
Cooking with rose wine
Cooking with rose wine may not be as popular as with red or white wines but there are plenty of ideas for great ways to use the wine in your recipes. It is often seen as a summer favourite, pairing with things like tomatoes and grilled steak as well as seafood such as mussels. You can also poach lots of fruit in rose wine to enhance their flavour.
You can also try adding it to dishes that use red or white to see where the flavour takes it. Swapping white to rose with salmon is one example while using it instead of red with poached pears makes for a softer taste and colour.
Rose wine and health
We hear a lot about the health benefits of red wine in particular but what about rose? Are there any help benefits from drinking the pink wine?
According to Livestrong, there can be some benefits when the rose is made from red wine grapes. In fact, this can make it a healthier choice than white if you are looking for things like antioxidant content and helping your heart.
It also helps to raise good cholesterol and lower bad while having potassium in it that lowers blood pressure. It is relatively slow in calories too. Always remember moderation is key!
Main types of rose wine
The main types of rose wine fall into two categories – dry and sweet. With a dry rose wine, it is normally 2-3 varieties of grapes that are mixed together, or you can find dry rose wines that are a single type of grape such as Grenache or Carignan.
Any rose wine can be made into a sweet version by not fermenting all the sugar into alcohol. But there are some that stand out as being the most popular sweet rose wines – white zinfandel, white merlot and pink Moscato top the list.
Top 10 types of rose wine
| Wine name | Type | Colour | Flavours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon Rose | Savoury | Deep ruby red | Green bell pepper, cherry sauce, blackcurrant, pepper spice |
| Grenache Rose | Fruity | Ruby red | Strawberry, orange, hibiscus, allspice |
| Mourvedre Rose | Fruity and floral | Pale coral | Violets, rose petals, red plums, cherries, herbs |
| Pinot Noir Rose | Fruity and delicate | Pale pink | Crab apple, watermelon, raspberries, strawberries |
| Provence Rose | Fruity and lean | Pale pink | Strawberry, watermelon, rose |
| Sangiovese Rose | Fruity | Copper red | Strawberries, green melon, rose, yellow peach |
| Syrah Rose | Savoury | Ruby red | White pepper, green olive, strawberries, cherries |
| Tavel Rose | Savoury and rich | Bright red | Summer fruits, similar to a red |
| Tempranillo Rose | Savoury | Pale pink | Green peppercorns, watermelon, strawberry |
| Zinfandel Rose | Sweet | Ruby red | Strawberries, cotton candy, lemon |
Finding the perfect rose wine
As with any wine, there’s got to be some taste testing involved to find your perfect wine. While I’m not one for sweet wines, my favourite rose is definitely a White Zinfandel. But there’s others still to try!
What’s your favourite rose wine?
