Selecting the right Rosé

Although this summer is quite different in so many ways, we still want to have that nice sip of wine that is considered a porch pounder, or something to pair with our summer meal.

At the beginning of summer, I’m often reaching for a rosé. Just yesterday I was a wine shop looking for something new to try. There can be quite a dizzying array of pink bottled wine, and sometimes it can be difficult to choose. Here are some tips for selecting a rosé.

  1. Pick a recent vintage

Rosé wine is harvested early and fermented at cooler temperatures. It’s best to drink it within a couple of years, so check out the date on the bottle.

2. Check the ABV – Alcohol by Volume on the label

If the ABV is higher than 12.5% it will be less sweeter than if it is below 12.5%. If you are looking for a dry rosé then this is something to keep in mind.

3. Colour

Rosé can be made from any red grape. During the rosé wine making process, the juice and skins are left to sit and macerate. If it’s a lighter pink, there is a tendency for the wine to be lighter and ultra crisp, compared to a darker color that may reflect a richer flavour with more tannin.

4. Where the Rosé is from

Rosé can be still, semi-sparkling and sparkling  and come from all over the world.

Old world wines (traditional wine growing areas of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East) may be earthier with higher acidity versus wine  from the New World (U.S., South America, Australia, and anywhere else). The new world wines are known to be sweeter and fruitier.

One of the most well known areas for Rosé is Provence. These wines tend tend to be made with Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre. These wines are often very pale hued – a traditional salmon color, with crisp fruity lean flavors.

Tavel, another French rosé from the Rhône is much darker, almost red, and primarily made from Grenache. This wine will lean towards being fruitier and fuller bodied, and be a good choice to have with a meal.

You might consider leaning towards your favourite red grape and try a rosé made with that grape. I’ve enjoyed all these rosés pictured here and many others. There are so many to try from all over the world. Enjoy!