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Do you celebrate National or International Rosé Day? Well, we celebrate both! Read on to learn more about what makes this style of wine so special.
The second Saturday in June is reserved for National Rosé Day, but International Rosé Day is celebrated on June 25th. Well, instead of picking just one day to celebrate this delicate, pink wine, we celebrate both!
First, we don’t need much of an excuse to drink wine. Second, the wines we offer are made from grapes grown on the Tenuta Santa Lucia vineyard on coastal Tuscany near Pisa. To us, that means we have a responsibility to honor this style of wine for both our U.S. customers and our international roots! At least, that’s what we’re going with anyway (sips wine).
Either way, rosé has a special place in our hearts and we love seeing it in our glasses! Read on to learn more about what makes this style of wine so special and delicious.
What is Rosé?
You mean other than delicious, delicately pink, and absolutely mouthwatering? Ok, maybe those are the immediate thoughts that come to mind, but there are actually some fascinating details about the origins of this wine style. To get started, there are a few misconceptions we’d like to squash.
First, for those who aren’t fans of rosé because it’s “too sweet,” there are dry options. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to try a brand that uses less sugar. The other misconception is that rosé is made from a specific type of grape. Rosé is actually created similarly to red wines, but it’s just not fermented as long with the grape skins. This is what makes rosé pink and not red. Voila!
Any wine region can create a rosé, but it has a special place in French wine culture. That’s probably because the Provence wine region is known for its plentiful (and delicious) rosé wine. However, it’s still fairly popular in Spain and Italy and has obviously become a popular style for U.S. wine lovers as well.
Rosé is often created from several different types of grapes. Common grape varieties for this style include Sangiovese, syrah, grenache, pinot noir, and more. This isn’t always the case though and can vary between vineyards or from region to region. For example, California rosés are often created completely from pinot noir grapes.
Obviously, the grape variety has a big impact on the final flavor and aroma, but the variety of pink colors are a result of maceration methods. For a rosé, winemakers only need to allow the color from grape skins to bleed into the juice for a few hours or days. Once the desired color is reached, the grape skins are removed and the remaining liquid is fermented to perfection.
Rosé Flavors Are Usually Fresh and Fruity
One of the reasons this is such a popular summer wine is because the flavors lend themselves to warm summer days. Think about it. After an active, hot day at the beach, do you want a full-bodied red with heavy tannins? While that doesn’t sound terrible (does it ever?), we’re more likely to reach for something crisp, fresh, and with notes of sweet fruits.
Obviously, every rosé will taste a bit different because of details like grape variety and winemaking techniques. However, expect the overall flavor of rosé to taste floral with red fruits like cherries, raspberries, or strawberries.
Our PALO61 Toscana Rosato, for example, was made with Sangiovese and Syrah grapes. This gives our dry, medium-bodied rosé flavors and aromas reminiscent of raspberries and rose petals. We don’t add extra sugar, but the fruity, floral notes give it the perfect mouthwatering hint of sweetness.
How to Perfectly Pair a Rosé
If you’d like to pair a perfect summer meal with your favorite bottle of rosé, here are a few pairing suggestions to keep in mind.
First, this style of wine pairs well with a variety of dishes. From spicy Thai dishes, salads, and rich sauces, rosés are surprisingly versatile. If you have a dry light-bodied rosé, we’d recommend pairing with lighter meals like salads, pasta with light sauces, and delicate seafood dishes.
However, if your rosé is more medium-bodied, you can challenge yourself by pairing it with bolder flavors. Think robust olives, garlic, flavorful seafood, or fresh curry dishes. We’re even thinking about a summer-inspired charcuterie board with fresh stone fruit, prosciutto, and perhaps brie or another soft cheese. Yum!
Just remember to take into account the natural fruity or floral flavors of your wine. For more information on wine pairing, be sure to check out our Wine Pairing 101 guide!
How to Serve Rosé
When it comes to serving this wine, it’s all about enhancing those gorgeous flavors and aromas. To do that, you need to serve it at the proper temperature.
Rosé is best served chilled somewhere between 44°F and 55°F. We recommend serving our rosé closer to 55°F so the floral notes will be emphasized. While we wouldn’t recommend keeping your bottle in the fridge long-term, you can get the right temperature by popping it in the refrigerator an hour or so before you plan to serve it.
When it comes to glassware, don’t stress too much! While a tulip-shaped glass may help keep your wine cooler for longer, you’ll probably drink it too fast for it to get too warm 😉
Kick Back and Relax While Sipping Rosé All Summer Long
We don’t know about you, but just thinking about a nice, cold glass of rosé has us dreaming of lazy summer days by the pool. Thank you for hanging out with us and Happy International Rosé Day!
As always, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates and deals. Also, if this has given you a major craving for wine, consider subscribing to our wine club so you’ve got wine on hand at a moment’s notice.
