You taste it, and you know you love it. It’s light, crisp, and refreshing. It looks good in a glass, in a bottle, or in a can. It tastes good at the beach, it tastes good on a hike, it tastes good next to the pool, it tastes good with dinner. You guessed it: it’s rosé.
At Just Enough Wines, we recently launched our new rosé. We wanted to create something timeless, desirable, and versatile for all your spring and summer activities, and we think we did pretty well! Our rosé is made in the traditional Provencal style, composed of grenache, cinsault, mourvèdre, with an added touch of vermentino for acidity and minerality.
But rosé comes in all shapes and sizes, ranging from dry, mineral-driven sippers to fruit-loaded sugar bombs. Rosés can be made from nearly any red grape, and their color is determined by which varietal is used. From a dusky light pink to a bold magenta, rosés cover the whole gamut of pinkish-red colors. It can seem complicated, but we have a guide! Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common styles of everyone’s favorite pink drink to help guide you on your next jaunt to the wine shop!
Provençal Rosé
Fresh, dry, and mineral-driven with characteristic notes of melon and pepper, Provencal rosé is made from a variety of grapes, including grenache, cinsault, syrah, and mourvèdre and is comparable to a dry white wine. These blends pair beautifully with food, but are also excellent on their own. Try some Provence-inspired meals while sipping on this delicious drink--maybe a bouillabaisse or a Niçoise salad! Though its origins are in the Provence region of France, fret not, you can easily find this style of rose at most grocery stores and wine shops (oh, and on our website).
Zinfandel Rosé (White Zinfandel)
One of the most popular rosés in the United States, zinfandel rosé, or white zinfandel, is a great introduction to rosé wines. These wines are made from California zinfandel grapes, and carry flavors of cotton candy, blackberry, and cherry. They tend to have a bit more sweetness to them, making them an excellent pairing wine for creamy pasta dishes or spicy Indian food. Fun fact: white zinfandel makes up 85% of zinfandel production!
Grenache Rosé
Coming from Spain, France, and the United States, grenache, or garnacha, is one of the most popular grapes to make into rosé. These wines are higher in acidity and boast flavors of strawberry, orange peel, watermelon and herbs. A great choice for those looking for something closer to a light red wine. Enjoy a grenache rosé with a Mediterranean-inspired tapas plate or charcuterie board--trust us, the flavors will transport you to a Spanish beach.
Pinot Noir Rosé
Just like your typical pinot noir, rosé of pinot noir typically carries an earthy character, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate. The key difference between a classic pinot noir and a pinot noir rosé is the higher acidity and brighter flavors found in the latter. Pinot noir is a particularly tricky grape to work with, meaning its rosé can also be troublesome. But when it’s done well, these rosés are balanced, refreshing, bright, and sophisticated. This style of wine is primarily produced in the U.S. but can be found around the world in smaller quantities.
Learn more about Just Enough Wines and our rosé here.
