Rose wine is a type of wine that is made by exposing the grape pressings to their skins for a brief period of time, but then removing them before fermentation—this technique gives the rosé its typical colour and its name. Many wine historians believe rosé to be the oldest known type of wine, as the technology used to make today’s darker and deeper reds would not have been available in ancient winemaking.
Rosés are produced throughout a huge number t of regions and using a wide variety of grapes, meaning before you head off on a tasting trip to any old area, you should be sure to decide which are your favourites and where they hail from. The next time you’re heading to Tesco, then why not pick up a few bottles with your food shop? Here are a few of the best-known regions that you can visit for the taste of a great rosé.
No matter what region you decide to venture to, the beautiful scenery of the vineyards and delicious wines are certain to satisfy you, and have you eager to head off another trip through the vines.
Provence, France
Rosés are the main product of the French region of Provence, and they are known particularly for being a great match to the local food, particularly seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. The preferred grape of the region is Grenache, which comprises 60% of the blend along with Cinsault, Mourverde, and other varietals. The main sub-regions to visit are Cotes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, and Bardol.
Rhône Valley, France
In the Rhône Valley you will find Tavel AOC, an area that is solely dedicated to the production of rosés. Traditionally the rosés in Tavel are produced by co-fermenting red and white grapes—after bring pressed the juice receives its brief period of skin contact, and the light coloured juice is then drained off (a process known as saignée, or bleeding). This method produces full, spicy, and berry flavoured wines.Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy
In Italy rosés can go by a variety of names, from rosato, which tend to be paler in colour, to chiaretto, which are darker, though not dark enough to be considered a red wine. In the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo region, the term that is most often used is cerasula, which means cherry. These wines tend to have a medium body and zesty flavours of orange peel, cinnamon, and dried cherries.Navarra, Spain
Although rosado (rosé) is produced all through-out Spain, the region best known for the wine is certainly Navarra, whose grape production of Grenache is predominantly dedicated to making rosado wine. Viticulture has been prospering in this area since Navarra was an independent kingdom in the 12th century, when much of their production went to supplying pilgrims on the famous Camino de Santiago.Portugal
When it comes to rosés, Portugal is most famous for its sparkling rosés, which include a Tempranillo by the well known producer Mateus Wine. These sparkling wines shot to stardom following the Second World War, when servicemen returning from the war had developed a taste for them following their many wine tours.Sicily, Italy
Wines from Sicily have long been held in high esteem. Rumoured to be Julius Caesar’s tipple of choice, they have been producing wines of quality for centuries. Pinot Grigio has been a firm favourite as a dry white wine for a number of years now. Easy to drink and an option for every budget, they also produce rosé. Perfect to see you through the summer, this slightly fruitier wine makes a refreshing change from white.
No matter what region you decide to venture to, the beautiful scenery of the vineyards and delicious wines are certain to satisfy you, and have you eager to head off another trip through the vines.