Oenologie - Quels cépages se cachent derrière le rosé ? - Les Grappes

What grape varieties are behind the rosé?

Updated on December 13, 2022

What is a rosé?

There is a difference between Old World and New World rosé; the Old World style is very much associated with tradition and terroir, so the production methods remain the same from generation to generation.

Soft, elegant and tannic, Old World rosé wines come from countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Armenia, Georgia, Austria, Poland, France, Spain and Italy.

Much more unpredictable due to the experimental nature of the winemaking process, New World rosés come from countries such as the United States, Australia, India, China, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and South Africa. There, winemakers often have more freedom to experiment with grape varieties.

How are rosé wines made?

There are three main methods of making rosé wine:

  • The traditional method : this consists of crushing the grapes for a period of two to three days in order to separate the skin (giving the rosé its color) of the grape from its wine.
  • The bleeding: The color of rosé also comes from the skin of the grapes, but through this method, the vats of lightly crushed red grapes are "bled" after a day, so that the free-run juice produces a rosé wine.
  • The method of mixing red and white wine : this method is used in the Champagne region and is generally forbidden elsewhere.

Whatever the method used, the main grape varieties for making rosé remain Grenache, Cinsault, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese (common in Italy but also found in Corsica!)

  • Grenache : found in the Rhône Valley, Provence and Spain, Grenache is recognizable by its powerful, rich and fruity style. Giving rise to rosé wines with aromas of strawberry and spices, it goes perfectly with summer salads or grilled vegetable dishes, especially if accompanied by seafood.
  • Cinsault: From the Languedoc and Southern Rhône regions, Cinsault is full of floral and summer berry flavors. It produces aromatic and powerful rosé wines that pair particularly well with "pre-dinner" bites, such as a charcuterie dish or crostini topped with smoked salmon pâté.
  • Pinot Noir : Reigning supreme in the Loire region as well as in some New World countries like New Zealand, Pinot Noir brings a delicate, elegant and refined style to rosé wine. Its flavors of cherry, strawberry and lemon zest are the perfect companion to a fresh salmon steak or ham salad.
  • Sangiovese: Used to make Corsican rosé, Sangiovese is full of red berry, citrus and spice flavors. This grape variety makes interesting, pale wines that are very food-friendly and pair well with a caprese salad, herbed olives, or even a chicken or fish curry.

About the rosé wines of Provence...

Provençal rosé wines are generally made from the same local blends used to make red wines. Most rosé wines from Provence are made from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes, but some are made from Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A lesser known grape called Tibouren is also used in some areas of Provence. Wines made from this grape have the ability to pair very well with aioli or chunks of beef accompanied by red bell pepper and fresh rosemary.

For the aroma hunters, here are the typical aromas of Provence rosé wines: grapefruit, banana, strawberry, raspberry, red currant, almond, lime blossom, cut hay.

Discover our selection of rosé wines from Provence, 100% direct from the winemaker

Food and rosé wine pairing

A glass of chilled rosé is delicious on its own but goes even better with food, especially fish, grilled meats or vegetables. It is fearless with tomatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, chili, salad dressings and even eggs. It loves the outdoors and is irresistibly friendly. Full-bodied styles can be paired with roasts, grilled meats and fish, while non-dry rosés are remarkably good with lightly spiced cuisine and cheese platters. The sweeter rosé wines can accompany pastries or fruit tarts.

Our experts' favorite wines

Need help choosing your rosé? To help you, here are the four favorite wines of our experts. Four cuvées from different regions, four cuvées each with their own character. Beware, these are little nuggets!

Rosé, Château Caminade Haut Guérin, Bordeaux : we love this rosé! Its acidity and roundness brought by the merlot give this rosé a wonderful balance. The nose is intense with notes of red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry. A real nugget, which has been elected 2 stars and "coup de coeur" in the guide hachette 2023.

Roquerousse, Château Calavon, Provence-Alpes- Côtes d'Azur : Let's go for it! This rosé is a real treasure. It is the typical cuvée of Provence. A pretty pink color, a fruity nose with aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruits. The attack in mouth is supple and fruity. A delight !

Cuvée Aure, Maison Ventenac, Languedoc : A rosé according to us, must be subtly fruity, fresh, fine, harmonious, slightly acidic and sapid for the greediness. This one ticks all the boxes, in our opinion. The robe is to die for with its beautiful silver reflections. The nose is sprinkled with white flowers and small crunchy red fruits. The mouth is lively and spicy with a finish on blackcurrant. We highly recommend it, it is a value for money.

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