Raving About Rosé
There is no denying it… Rosé is all the rage. Over the past twenty years, interest in Rosé has burgeoned from a limited niche wine to one of the world's most exciting and fastest-growing wine markets. If you are one of the many fans who love pink wine, don't blush, as wine professionals worldwide are also behind this growth, with many wonderful and age-worthy Rosés to get excited about.
However, Rosé is not just the trendy wine of the 21st century. Instead, it is one of the oldest yet most modern wines, with the origins of Rosé winemaking traced back to ancient Greece when much of the red wine produced was pale red.
Nowadays, almost all the world’s wine-producing regions make Rosé wine. The first and arguably most important Rosé producer is France, where it is predominantly found in the southern region of Tavel, Provence and the Loire Valley in Anjou. Other important regions are Piedmont in Italy, Rioja in Spain and Styria in Austria.
For this wine, colour is essential and is a significant aspect of its appeal. It is impossible to define the “correct” colour of Rosé wine, which can be a veritable rainbow of different shades of pink – from pale copper, pastel pink, mauve blushes and magenta, through to apricot and even orange. And when it comes to the taste, you can expect sweet, savoury, dry, textural, smooth, light, creamy, heavy – you name it!
Australia’s fresh and vibrant Rosés are produced from red grape varieties such as Shiraz and Grenache, with minimal contact on skins to give the wines their signature ‘blush.’ However, other varieties like Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir also make delicious versions of this wine.
The wonderful thing about Rosé is that it can be enjoyed all year round. But it is really in its prime in the warmer months. After all, is there anything more magical than a summer picnic or BBQ with friends, delicious food and a glass of gorgeous pink in your hand?
When it comes to food, it is the most versatile wine for food pairing, displaying the freshness of white wine combined with the structure and heft of a red. As a fantastic food wine, it can be paired with various foods and flavours and manages spices and heat well. Rosé is excellent alongside salads, antipasto platters, fish dishes or even your favourite curry and is the perfect accompaniment to soft goat cheese.
Rosé usually has a delicate flavour and a balance of sweetness and acidity that make it a refreshing palate-cleansing drink. It is best served young and at a chilled temperature.
