Rosé wine does not always have the reputation it deserves. Often misunderstood, however, it is not sidelined the world of wine, and still represents 23 % of wine purchases in France. But, unless you are a great amateur, rosé wine remains quite unknown, and many still have prejudices or bad knowledge concerning him. Let us then raise the veil on rosé wine, this mysterious wine.
Rosé wine: between myth and reality
Rosé wine causes a lot of ink to flow. Faced with the imposing red wines and white wines, rosé wines suffer from several myths, which do not necessarily play in their favor.
A mixture of white wine and red wine
The first received idea on rosé wine concerns its composition. Many believe that it comes from a more or less subtle mixture of red wine and white wine. This myth comes mainly from the pale pink color that we know of it. In reality, obtaining a rosé wine is much more complex than that, and the technique of vinification of rosé wine responds to a scrupulous process.
The elaboration of rosé wine is done by fermentation of black grapes, and the intensity of its pink color will depend on the duration of the contact of the skin pigments with the juice. Rosé wine, just like white wine and red wine, is therefore well from its own winemaking technique, and which responds to specific rules.
A rosé wine necessarily sweet
The second received idea on rosé wine concerns its sugar content. Rosé wine is renowned for being rich in sugars, and many uninformed consumers think that it cannot be otherwise. However, there are a wide variety of pink wines, and many of them are dry and lively. This is particularly the case for pink wines from Provence, considered typical, since this region is the cradle of rosé wine.
Other myths on rosé wine circulate, and in particular the fact that it would more often speak to the fairer sex, or that it would only be good for an aperitif. All these a priori are obviously false, and rosé wine is invited to all tables, and adapts to all tastes.
The difference between rosé wine, red wine and white wine
You will understand, the color of rosé wine does not come from a simple mixture of red wine and white wine. Remember that the assembly of these two wines is prohibited, and only rosé champagne is an exception to this legislation.
The difference between a rosé wine and the other wines therefore comes from the fermentation technique. A rosé wine obtains such a dress thanks to a very controlled fermentation period, where the must is in contact with the pigments of the red skin of the grapes. While a red wine ferments for several days to get its beautiful red color, rosé wine ferments only a few hours.
There is also a difference between red wine, white wine and rosé wine: the method used. If red wine and white wine are only obtained from a single method, rosé wine can be obtained from two different winemaking techniques: direct pressing, or film maceration. You can also make a pink groove wine, taking part of the grape juice in maceration of a cuvée of red wine.
The variety of rosé wine aromas and smells
There is not a single rosé wine, but a multitude of varieties just as different as each other. We already spot him with the dress of rosé wine. The color chart is then very large, and there are clear pink wines, and other darker. From the peach color, to the currant, through mango, the shades of rosé wine are as varied as its aromas and its smells.
Speaking of aromas and smells, each of them generally has a different origin. Thus, the variation in aromas may depend:
- Grape varieties: we then obtain aromas of melon, fishing or even apricot, but also aromas of rose, acacias, or even orange flower, which will all be accentuated by direct pressing;
- Grapes: depending on the variety, we obtain aromas of cherry, redcurrant, strawberry, raspberry and all red fruits in general, but also aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, lychee, and other exotic fruits . They will all be accentuated by a wine -making vinification;
- Fermentation: depending on the technique used, you can have banana, marshmallow aromas, or strawberry candy;
- Vinification and breeding: you can get aromas of pepper, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, or many other spices.
Did you have prejudices on rosé wine? Far from being left behind on French tables, rosé wine has the ability to adapt to all dishes. Let yourself be tempted by a Berne Castle, and see soar all the false ideas on rosé wine.
