Rosé wines

Rosé is the champion of summer, drinks with friends, and barbecues. But this light and fresh wine has much more to offer than you might think: some rosés, when well made, rival reds or whites.

How do you make rosé wine?

Rosé wine is made with red grapes , but with limited maceration , just enough to give the juice a pinkish hue. The duration of contact with the skins influences the color:

• Pale rosé : short maceration, light and fresh wine.

• Deep rosé : longer maceration, more structured wine.

There are several techniques:

• Rosé wines made from pressed wine : quick pressing after a short maceration to obtain a clear wine.

• Rosés de saignée (or macération) : the red wine during fermentation is “bled” to produce a more aromatic and structured rosé.

• Rosé champagnes : red wine is added to white wine to create pink bubbles.

The grape varieties of rosé

Grape varieties influence the color and taste: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir , and sometimes blends. Each grape variety brings its own personality: freshness, fruitiness, elegance, or light tannins, depending on the style of rosé.

Regions and appellations

Provence is obviously the star of rosé: Bandol, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Côtes de Provence. But rosé can be found everywhere: Crémant rosé from Burgundy, Bordeaux rosé, Rosé from the Loire Valley, Marsannay in Burgundy… Each region brings its own unique touch.

Food and rosé wine pairings

Rosé wine is very versatile:

• Salads, summer vegetables and fruits : fresh and light rosé wines.

• White meats and grilled meats: slightly tannic macerated rosés.

• Fruit-based desserts : fruity and slightly sweet rosés.

• Rosé Champagnes : perfect as an aperitif or with refined dishes.

At Les Grappes , we offer a wide selection of French and foreign rosés , so that everyone can find the rosé that suits them, from the lightest to the most structured, from the fruitiest to the most aromatic.