Rose is a type of red wine that has a light pink color and a gentle, fruity flavor. This has often caused it to be associated with a lack of sophistication amongst wine drinkers.
Background
Rose is typically made from the same grapes used to make red wine. The kinds of red grapes used to create rose often vary; it can be one kind of grape or a variety.
Roses are known for their light pink color, which can be achieved a number of ways, usually before the grape juice is even fermented into wine.
Methods
In the blanc de noir method, red grapes are made into rose in the same manner as white wine. The grapes are crushed and left in contact with the skins for only a few hours before being drained and fermented. The resulting rose has a faint pink tinge.
Maceration involves letting the grape skins remain in the juice after the grapes are crushed. The amount of contact time depends on the thickness of the grape's skin and the amount of flavor and color one desires in the wine. A longer contact time results in more flavor and color. When the desired color is achieved, the juice is separated from the skins and allowed to ferment.
The method of saignee ("bled") requires the use of dark grapes that would typically be used to make strong red wine. These grapes are crushed and left with their skins for one to two hours before some juice is bled off and fermented. The juice that remains with the skins is made into red wine.
Mixing red and white wine can also create the desired rose color, but this type of wine is more commonly called blush. The blending of red and white wine to create rose is illegal in Europe except in the production of rose champagne.
Features
Rose, along with its pink color, has a pleasantly fruity taste that carries a light berry flavor.
The taste of rose wine made via maceration varies depending on the grapes used and amount of maceration time, while rose wine made from the saignee method is often more akin to the complex flavors and aromas found in red wine, though the experience is far lighter.
Typically, rose made in Europe is dry, whereas American rose has a sweeter taste more akin to that of white.
Use
The lightness of rose wine has made it a very versatile wine that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals, including antipasti, seafood, pastas and spicy foods.
Perception
Rose wine's light pink color (often likened to candy or bubble gum) gives the impression that it is a less serious wine intended for less sophisticated drinkers with undeveloped palettes. It is also commonly associated with summertime drinking, though it can be enjoyed year-round.
Tags: pink color, grapes crushed, grapes used, light pink, light pink color, rose wine