Time to Stop & Smell the Rosés

Summer is around the corner.  I can smell the roses blooming in the garden but I’m also yearning to smell summer’s Rosé in my glass.  Rosés can be made from any red skinned grape.  Their aroma and taste profiles vary depending upon the grape varietals that are used, the terroir in which the fruit is grown, and the style of the winemaker.  Below are examples of what to generally expect from four different varietals commonly used for Rosé, as well as stylistic elements of the world’s largest Rosé producing area, Provence.

Pinot Noir Rosé

Pinot Noir grapes have the lowest amount of pigment of all the red grapes, thus in general Pinot-based Rosé is lighter in color than others (although it all depends upon the amount of time the winemaker left the juice in contact with the skin).  Flavors of strawberry or raspberry are of often present.

Syrah Rosé

As Syrah is the most highly pigmented dark grape, these Rosés can be deep in color if left to marry with the grape juice for any length of time.  Syrah Rosé typically offers both fruit and savory notes:   strawberry and cherry can be mixed with white pepper and olive nuances.

Cabernet Rosé

Like Rosés made from Syrah, Cabernet can vinify a deeply colored Rosé due large amounts of color pigment in Cabernet skin.  Think cherry and black currant with touches of spice.

Tempranillo Rosé

One of the most common Rosés of warm weather Spain, Tempranillo can make a killer Rosé.   These Rosés often include a combination of fruity and savory notes:   strawberry, citrus and stone fruit, along with background notes of green peppercorn or fennel.

Provençal Rosé

This is a style of Rosé made in France’s southern region of Provence.  This area is one of the most famous Rosé producers in the world---nearly half of all of Provence’s wines are Rosé.   

Provence's Rosé are often a blend (rather than 100% varietal) of the region’s red grapes:  Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, or Syrah.  They are typically very pale pink (or even coral) in color.   Flavors are dependent upon the types of grapes used.  The profile can vary from citrus to exotic fruits, from stone fruits like apricot or peach to berry flavors such as strawberries and raspberries.  Often times these Rosés also have a salty minerality.

Take some time to stop and smell the Rosés this weekend!

Rosé Sales are in the Pink

                                           Rosé, once a step-child, has now gone mainstream

Ten years ago I began a mission of what I termed as “reverse snobbism.”  My  challenge was to change the perception of Rosé wine from an unsophisticated white Zin to a beverage that even a bon vivant would appreciate.   I received some concerned stares when I began several dinner parties with a dry French Rosé, especially from those who had not traveled to the south of France.  I am happy to say that I no longer get those looks.   Everyone now has jumped on the Rosé bandwagon, including a vodka producer who just released a Rosé vodka. 

Rosé has become the new hipster drink.  Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt's purchase a few years ago of one of France's star producers of Rosé certainly didn't hurt promotion of the pink.  Last year sales of Rosé in the US escalated 50% ringing in at nearly $250 million.   But, there may be a lot more room for continued growth.  While many Americans still view Rosé primarily for summer-time drinking, Rosé is drunk year around in countries like France.  In fact, the French actually drink more Rosé than white wine.  In Provence, where most of the country’s Rosé is made, 90% of the total production of red grapes is used to make Rosé.  That leaves a lot of room in the US for continued rise of the pink.

With the growing US thirst for dry Rosé, it’s no wonder that French exports to the US have risen dramatically.  Rosé from Provence increased ten-fold between 2010 - 2016, and it’s expected that the stats from 2017 sales will confirm in another blockbuster year for the Rosé.   But, all pink wine seems to be on the rise.  Champagne makers in France are even reporting a sharp increase in sales of their Rosé Champagne.   Seems like everyone is on to a pink trend.  

Rosé is finally here...and it's here to stay.  Feeling in the pink mood?  Here are a few of my faves:   

• J. L. Quinson Cotes de Provence at Trader Joe's:  hands-down best quality/price Rosé for $7 (note:  TJ's has a couple of Rosés by this producer.  Be sure to get the Cotes de Provence AOC)  
• La Crema Rosé:   complex & a great buy for $20
• Ployez Jacquemart  Brut Rosé Champagne:  can’t think of a better real-deal bubbly for $50