How is Rosé Wine Made? Plus Favorite Rosé Wine Brands for Summer

As we shift into the warmer seasons, our preferences also shift from heavy to light. Lighter colors, lighter foods and lighter wines.

When we think of spring and summer wines, mouthwatering notes of melon, strawberry and fresh citrus come to mind. Nothing says spring quite like a beautiful glass of nicely chilled rosé wine. If you’re in a rosy state of mind, then get in on some quick facts while you pour! Here’s a quick list of facts about how rosé wine is made and some favorite affordable rosé wine brands you can sip all summer!

How is rosé Wine made?

Rosé is usually made from one of three different methods…

1. Maceration

Maceration is a method in which grapes with darker skin color are crushed and then left to sit with the released juices anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

• As the mixture sits, its juices will remain in constant contact with the dark grape skins which will release their pigments into the wine.
• In the short time this mixture sits, it will produce that rosy, blush-colored wine we have come to adore.

2. Saigneé

Saigneé (to bleed in French) is a method in which some of the juices from a tank of crushed red grapes (which will become red wine later on) are removed/‘bled off’ into a separate container.

• The pinkish juices removed at this point contain some of the color from the grapes and are then treated as a separate wine and fermented into rosé.

3. Blending

Blending is a method in which a small amount of red wine is added to white wine to produce the soft pink color of rosé.

• This style of production is used pretty much in France to produce rosé champagnes.

What Grapes Are Used In Rosé?

Grapes: Rosé can be made with a blended variety of red grapes that include Grenache, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon just to name a few.

• Different countries all have different grapes and styles!
• In Spain, rosados may be made with Grenache, Tempranillo or Mourvèdre.
• Italian rosatos may be made with Montepulciano, Sangiovese or Negroamaro.
• French rosés might be made with Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache or Syrah.

What Does Rosé wine Taste Like?

Flavors: Some of the main flavors usually associated with rosé wine include:

• melon, honeydew, strawberry, red fruits, lemon, citrus, and sometimes crisp green flavors like celery.
• It is usually dry, but depending on the style or region, it could also range from lightly sweet to sweet.

Rosé calls to mind balmy, sunlit days, but we can get in the mood for this any time…day or night! The next time you pour a glass of liquid love, check these out!

Easy Drinking Rosé Wine Brands To Sip All Summer

Enjoy any one of these easy drinking pours above with your favorite grilled salmon or pair with easy grilled summer peaches for a summery dinner you can enjoy in the warm weather ahead!

Don’t forget to think about pairing chocolate and wine either! This simple guide for pairing sweet chocolate and wine is a decadent read!

If you’re putting in fruits and veggies this year, then get inspired to grow a wine lover’s garden so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with your favorite pours!

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