Rosé is made from red grapes, but with a shorter skin contact time than red wine. When red wine is typically made, the skins are left in the batch all the way through the fermentation process, but with rosé the skin is discarded before that process begins. Because of this shorter skin contact, rosé wine tends to have a lighter pinkish hue, sometimes salmon in color, as opposed to a deep red, like red wine. This can significantly change many aspects of the wine itself from the flavor profile to the sweetness.
If you’re looking for a great summer wine, the lighter bodied flavor of rosé makes it a great choice for those warm summer evenings. Best served chilled, rosé offers up a great range of fruity, citrusy, flavors depending on the variety of grapes used during the wine making process.
There are a number of different varietals of red grapes that can be used to make rosé and each one brings with it a different flavor profile.
Varietals That Can Be Used to Make Rosé
Most people aren’t aware of the different varietals that can be used to make rosé. Each varietal has its own unique attributes that help bring something a little different to each bottle of rose. If you know you don’t like rosé, maybe you just haven’t tried the right kind of rose yet.
Grenache
If you’re looking for a fruity varietal, then a grenache based rosé is the way to go. Grenache rose is known for its bright pink color and light body. It’s crisp and has notes of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. This is the perfect summer rosé.
Pinot Noir
Did you know that pinot noir grapes can be used to make rosé? Pinot noir red grapes are known for their medium-light body as well as their high acidity. You’ll find notes of strawberry, raspberry, and even floral notes like rose petals.
Pinot noir varietals are typically grown in France, but can also be found in California and Oregon in the United States. This is a great wine for casual outdoor gatherings this summer.
Syrah
Syrah Rosé, also known as Shiraz rosé, is a varietal of red grapes that is grown in California as well as Australia and the Rhone Valley in France. Syrah rosé has a bright pink to salmon color to it and is typically higher in tannins, making it more of a dry wine when compared to some other sweeter ones.
You’ll find notes of blackberry, strawberry, and raspberry in this rosé, which makes it perfect for warm weather. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or spicier dishes.
Merlot
If you’re looking for a medium bodied rosé with softer tannins, then a Merlot rosé varietal might be just what you need.
Merlot rosé has a pink/light red color with the flavor profile of red and black fruits like strawberry and cherry. It’s not too acidic and is a lighter, more versatile wine, which makes it very easy to drink.
Merlot rosé will pair very well with lighter dishes like salads, seafoods, and grilled vegetables. If you’re looking for a meat to pair with your rosé, we suggest a chicken or pork dish.
Blends
In addition to the specific varietals that can be used to create rosé wine, rosé can also be made up of a blend of different varietals.
For example, our new 2022 Austin Hope Rosé is a blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache, which creates a beautiful salmon colored rosé that is perfect for your patio or dining room table.
This dry rosé has flavors of strawberry and watermelon with a slight mineral flavored finish. If you’re looking for food to pair with this wine, we suggest oysters or a hot honey pizza!
Rosé is Perfect for Summer!
A lot of rosé wines are a blend of different varietals, but not everyone is aware of the specific varietals that can be used to make rosé.
Rosé is the perfect summer wine whether you’re sitting outside on your patio on a nice summer night, or enjoying dinner with friends inside. The lighter, fruitier, flavors can compliment all sorts of dishes from grilled meats to salads.
If you’re looking to try something new this summer and you’re looking for something a little lighter, we highly recommend picking up a bottle of rosé. Rosé has continued to grow in popularity over the years, especially with the younger crowd.
Why not replace that case of beer at your next summer party with a couple bottles of rosé and see how many people are surprised by how much they enjoy it. It may not be one of the more traditional types of wines produced, but it’s a more modern way to use the same grape varietals to produce something that appeals to a wide range of people.