Rosé – Feminine Yes, But Men Like it Too

Pink is in! Yes, as kids we were conditioned that pink is the color for girls and blue is the color for boys. But when it comes to pink wine, it breaks the gender barrier. It is not the White Zinfandel our mother’s use to drink which was often made in a sweet, fruit punch style. Today rosé has taken on many different styles that appeal to men as well as women. It can be light and crisp with a hint of fruitiness or it can be dry, rich, and spicy.

The ultimate style of a wine depends on how the rosé is made and which grape varietals are used. You may be surprised to know that rosé is made from black grape varietals that have red skins such as Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese, and others. The color ranges from a pale salmon to a bright red-purple depending on the grapes and techniques used. The wine maker can use one of three methods.

1. A winemaker can crush the grapes and allow the skins to remain in contact with the juice for a short period, 1-3 days (the color comes from the skin). Then the skin is discarded for the duration of fermentation. In contrast, a full-bodied red wine is made by allowing the juice to macerate with the skins during fermentation to extract color and tannins for up to 10 days. The longer the skins are in contact with the juice, the deeper the color.

2. Rosé can be made in a method called Saignée, or bleeding off a portion of the red wine only after the juice has had a short period of contact with the skins. The pink juice is fermented separately to produce rosé and the remaining wine is intensified as a result of the bleeding and goes on to make red wine.

3. Simply blending red wine into a white wine to impart color is another technique used. Usually this method is discouraged, except in the region of Champagne.

Today a drier style is preferred over the sweeter blush wines our parents use to drink. It is a simple wine that is a no-fault, user-friendly wine pairing with food. It is an excellent summer drink that appeals to white wine drinkers and red wine drinkers alike. Below are a few favorites that have different styles depending on your preference. Provence and Southern France is the classic regions for rosé, but have fun experimenting with other rosé’s around the world as it is gaining popularity everywhere as an economical summertime choice.

Rosé Wines

Domaines Ott Les Domaniers, Cotes de Provence Rosé 2007 - $19
This is a classic rosé from Provence. Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah are blended to make this brilliant salmon-pink rose. It has aromas of peach and apricot with flowers and some licorice spice. It is dry and crisp.

Los Vascos Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua, Chile 2008 - $10
Los Vascos is a winery that is 50% owned by the famous Lafite Rothschild of Bordeaux and they produce some of the finest wines in Chile. Fresh, fruity and bright, this rosé is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal. You will smell and taste strawberries, cherry, and mint. An excellent value wine to enjoy every day!

Robert Oatley Rose of Sangiovese, Mudgee, Australia, 2008 - $15
Imagine a rosé wine made from the Sangiovese grape (used to make Chianti) grown and produced in Australia. Sounds very strange, but it is surprisingly excellent. This is made in the saginée method giving it a bright pink color. It is bone dry with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and watermelon layered with nice acidity and minerality that carries through the finish. It is a NY Times #1 pick! Don’t miss out on this beautiful summer sipper from Down Under.

Francis Coppola Sofia Rose, Monterey County, California 2008 - $16
If you wish to stay local, try this appropriately named feminine style rosé from Monterey, California. The Syrah and Grenache grapes used to make this wine are grown in a cooler climate to allow for a crisp and fragrant style with an aroma of fresh raspberries and rose petals. It is fruity yet dry on the palate with flavors of strawberries, cherries, and orange peel. This refreshing wine partners with light summer fare and savory hors d’oeuvres.

Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec, Argentina, 2008 - $14
If you love Malbec, you will love this rosé which is a more masculine, bigger style. It is made in the saignée method with Malbec grapes sourced from 30-year-old ungrafted vines. The color is a bright pink/red and the bouquet is fragrant with cherry and strawberries. You will taste the concentrated red fruit along with some spice that is medium-bodied, dry, and well balanced. Pair this with most any summer fare food. It’s fruity without the sweetness, dry style can even stand up to grilled meats.

Note: If you live in Fairfield County, CT you can find or order these wines from these local wine stores: Peter’s Spirit Shop, Weston, CT; Anacona’s, Ridgefield, CT; Elmer’s Wines, Norwalk, CT

So all you men out there don’t be afraid to go pink this summer! And all you ladies out there, share the pink wine with the men at your next barbecue. It may be hard for them to admit at first, but eventually they will say they are pleasantly surprised how well they like it. Of course your girlfriends will be thrilled to consume what the men don’t.