Rosé is French for “pink.” Rosés are made from red grapes, but the juice and skins are only in contact for a short time (anywhere from a few hours to several days) before the juice is separated. When the winemaker is happy with the color, the winemaking process continues as it would for white wine. Rosés are rarely aged in oak. Rosés have always been drunk in Southern France. Originally they were made from leftover grapes that didn’t make it into the local red wine. That winemaking philosophy has changed, and rosés are now being made on purpose and have acquired respect. They’re made in a dry style.
Some of the best rosés come from France—from Tavel (which makes only rosé wines) in the Rhone region and Anjou in the Loire Valley. Back in the 1960s, rosés were quite popular in the United States but fell out of fashion. Then white Zinfandel hit the market in the ’80s and the blush wine category was born. White Zinfandel is sweet and low in alcohol, and due to its massive popularity, many consumers now believe that all rosés are sweet. In fact, many are dry and off-dry. Rosé wines can be found with names. Rosado is a rosé from Spain. Rosato is a rosé from Italy. Vin Gris (“gray wine”), from France, is a very pale rosé made from very lightly pressed red grapes.
Rose wines are created from red grapes which are crushed & de-stemmed but it maceration period is short i.e. less than 24 hours. The making of wine resembles the process of white wines. Generally, maceration is halted before the fermentation starts and desired amount of anthocyanins has extracted from skins. After the alcoholic fermentation starts, if the juice is run off, the wine would have high phenolic content. Then mash is pressed and juice is processed further in the same way as white wine and settling juice and cool fermentation. Wine has low content of tannin in comparison to red wine and treated like white wine. Wine is stored cool, protecting from oxidation and bottled for early drinking.
Color of Rose wine ranges from pale orange to vivid near purple which depends on the wine making techniques and varietals used. It can be made still, sparkling or semi-sparkling and have wide range of sweetness levels from highly dry Provençal rosé to sweet White Zinfandels & blushes. It is made from various types of grapes and could be found all around the globe. Rose wine is produced with the method of skin contact. After the black skinned grapes are crushed, skin is allowed to remain in contact with juice for short time period for two to twenty hours. Skins are then discarded rather than leaving it in contact throughout fermentation. When the skins are allowed to contact with juice, final wine gets more intense color.
History of Wine
The first wine produced as rose is not known but the earliest red wines that were made has closer appearance of today’s rose wine. It is due to the winemaking techniques used for making darker and more tannic red wines were not practiced in ancient winemaking. Both white and red wine grapes are pressed soon after it is harvested with low maceration time by feet, hand or sack cloth forming juice which is lightly pigmented only.
After the development of new and efficient wine presses, still ancient and early winemakers making lighter colored & fruitier style wines. It is believed that Ancient Roman and Greeks winemakers, hard press and let the juice sit for a period with skins which makes the wine heartier and darker but resulting wines are considered to be less desirable and too harsh. It lasted into Middle Ages when p ale clarets from Bordeaux started to gain the world’s attention. The dark wine which was produced from longer skin contact called vin vermeil were considered to have low quality.
During Middle Ages the wines produced from this region were sparkling white wines related with the region today. Some Champenoid winemakers use elder berries in order to add more red color to wine as competed with wines of Burgundy for lucrative Flemish wine trade. In 16th & 17th century, region was acclaimed for white wines made from Pinot noir grapes but instead of becoming white, they were pale greyish pink similar to partridge’s eye and nicknamed Œil de Perdrix produced in Switzerland.
In late 17th century, Champenois discovered to separate the skins better from must and produce white wine from red wine grapes. Champenois even moved towards the production of sparkling wines, they started to produce both sparkling and roses still means the blending of small amount of red wine to color up a white wine.
We have discussed about Rose wine and its history above. So now let us know about the health benefits that Rose wine offers:
Healthy cholesterol levels
Rose wine has polyphenols that helps to reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol. The alcohol present in Rose wine thins blood and increases good (HDL) cholesterol.
Lowers heart problems
Antioxidants found in Rose wine helps to prevent heart problems by lowering buildup of harmful cholesterol.
Reduce heart attack
The consumption of rose wine helps to lower the chances of heart diseases such as heart attack and the antioxidants helps to lower inflammation of blood vessels.
Normal blood pressure
Rose wine contains potassium helps to reduce high blood pressure as it balances out negative salt effects in blood.
Lower inflammation
Rose wine possesses various beneficial compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Wine’s anti-inflammatory properties help to lower the chances of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lower calories
The low content of calories found in Rose wine makes it a choice for diet friendly. Serving size of 5 oz. glass provides 82 calories which makes it lowest calorie alcoholic drink following soda and vodka. The fresh crisp flavor of rose wine makes it a great summer and spring wine which pairs well with chicken, pasta and meal cooked on grill.
Antioxidant properties
Antioxidants are great for skin and heart health as it prohibits oxidation of molecules in the body. It helps to fade blemishes and spots.
Cancer prevention
Wine get its antioxidants from the skin of grape specifically resveratrol. It is a beneficial compound providing anti-aging activity and resveratrol protects brain and also reduces the chances of heart problems. Red wines are fermented with skins that possess high content of antioxidants. The skins are strained immediately in white wine and early in production process for rose wines which causes the wine to have low content of resveratrol. In comparison to white wines, Rose wines have more resveratrol.
Varieties of Rose wine
Provence
Provence is versatile and the most famous rosé region. It is perfect for both aperitif and partner for food. This wine is just dry enough that it pairs with various foods. It is made from blend of grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah grapes and has pale pink color.
Grenache
It is also called Garnacha in Spain. It has low content of acidity and tannin but decent body or lovely cherry flavors. When served cold, the wine has lot of zest.
Syrah
This rose wine is served as a touch warmer due to its bold flavors. Usually, the color is deep and ruby red. It has strong notes of white pepper, cherries and strawberries.
Tempranillo
The main grape used Tempranillo and spain is the largest producers of organic rose wine. Tempranillo roses provides flavor of raspberry and strawberry with refreshing acidity.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the grape which is not easy to grow and is sensitive to climate and weather changes. When it is turned into wine, it results a delightful and elegant product. Pinot Noir rose is acidic and bright having subtle aromas of cherries, wet stone and raspberries. Wine is crisp, cool and dry enough to be consumed with foods having mild flavor. The classic regions which produce Pinot Noir rose include Rose de Loire and Sancerre.
Tavel
This rose has unique and historic style. It is extra dry in comparison to other rose wines. It shares the character and structure of classic red wine with dark pink color which marks it as a Rose wine. It is high in alcohol and low in acid and is made with Grenache, Cinsault and other grapes. The aroma turns nutty when aged. It could be aged for few years.
Sangiovese
This rose is made with the use of Italian Sangiovese grape which is popular in wines such as Chianti. Sangiovese rose has pale copper color. It provides strong notes of roses and fresh strawberries with good acidity. It has a hint of bitter on finish. This wine is dry and fruity so serve it cold.
White Zinfandel
Technically, it is a rose wine made from Zinfandel grapes. Due to its off dry style an low acid it is the most popular rose wine in United States. It was also popular in UK but today dried and paler styles such as Provence rose are popular.
