Rose wine from what. Rosé wine: A refined drink, not a mixture of white and red. What grapes are rosé wines made from?

Rosé wine can evoke whimsical bottles with playful labels that later take the place of a candlestick. Some may well remember the popularity of Mateus Rose, which still remains one of the best-selling rosés in the world, with over 2 million cases sold...

But let's leave the memories and fast forward to the present.

Rosé wines were one of the earliest products of winemaking and have recently regained their share of popularity. And although their share on the shelves still does not exceed 5%, there are definitely samples among them that are worth paying attention to. Chilled Rose is a wonderful companion for the first warm days of spring.

In France, rosé wine is called Rose, in Italy Rosato (not to be confused with Rosso - red wines), in Spain Rosado, and in the USA it can be labeled "blush" (literally "blush").

They make it both from specific varieties (for example, local Portuguese, in the case of Mateus), and quite familiar Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Zinfandel (USA), Sangiovese (Italy), Syrah (France), Tempranillo (Spain). Rosé wine can be single-varietal, but more often it is a blend (mixture) of several varieties. If the name of the variety is not visible on the label, then this is just the second case - read the varietal composition on the back of the bottle.

In terms of sweetness, all the options familiar to us are also possible - from very dry to noticeably sweet, comparable to nutmeg Asti (Moscato d "Asti). And, of course, where without sparkling Rose!

Let's take a short tour of the world's most famous rosé wines.

french pink

France is famous for its rich red blends of Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley and single varietal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in Burgundy. However, outside of France, little is known about the rosé wines produced in most of these regions, as well as in Champagne and Provence. Meanwhile, two-thirds of Provencal wines are rosé wines!

But the wines of Rosé de Loire (Rosé de Loire), bearing the corresponding inscription on the label, are already dry pink, with a sugar content of not more than 3 g / l. The varietal composition is also mixed: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grollo, Pinot Noir and Neck. others

Italian pink

The leading Italian region for the production of rosé wine is Puglia. There it is produced in a huge amount and very different - both in quality and in character. Unfortunately, a large number of mediocre and frankly weak samples have spoiled the reputation of this type of wine - unfortunately for the part of the samples that deserve attention and respect, and there are also quite a few of them.

The region richest in the tradition of rose production is Salento. While Rosato is no longer a favorite among winemakers as it once was, a number of old-style devotees defy the current trend of “lightening” wines through soft pressing and cold fermentation – and continue to make full-bodied, complex rosés.

On the label, look for Salento IGT or the more strictly regulated Salice Salentino DOC, respectively. The varieties used are the same as in the production of traditional local reds - Negroamaro with the addition (in the case of Salice Salentino) Malvasia Nero, to give softness and more complex aromatics.

These wines can surprise: mature, dry, with a bright recognizable character, they can even seem harsh to those who are accustomed to modern light-hearted rosés.

Portuguese rose

Although Portugal as a whole is not considered a great "rose" wine region, history would be incomplete without such a 1970s legend as Mateus Rose.

In 1942, Portuguese winemaker Fernando van Zeller Guedes decided to take a chance and "Americanize" his "green" wines from the traditional Vinho Verde region, making them sweeter to suit the new markets of North America and Northern Europe. The wine was named after the nearby castle Mateusz.

Today, this wine remains the flagship for Sogrape Vinhos, which has become the largest wine producer in Portugal.

USA

In America, light-bodied, sweet rosés became known as "blush" in the 1970s and found their following among a new generation of consumers.

Using materials from the Decanter magazine website

Real wine has a high cost, which is why most consumers do not even know what it tastes like. All the usual cheap, standing on the shelves of any supermarket, is made artificially, with a small content of natural raw materials.

Definition

In scientific terms, wine is a drink with an alcohol content of not more than 22% vol. It turns out as a result of partial (interrupted) or complete fermentation of juice. Wine is fruit and grape, depending on the raw materials used - grapes or other berries and fruits. Moreover, depending on the area where the source material was collected, the production can be carried out in various ways. The traditions and rules of a particular territory leave their mark, both in technology and in the taste of the drink.

• Use only high quality grape varieties. It can be: Merlot, Jalita, Mattress, Saperavi, Cabernet Sauvignon or Odessa Black.
• It is necessary to squeeze red varieties very carefully, do not allow seeds and branches to get into the juice.
• Leave the berry peel in the finished must for a short time, after which it is removed from there, or use the “bleeding” method. That is, take ready-made juice obtained in the manufacture of red wine.

This will give the future drink a beautiful pink color.

Also, some manufacturers resort to the mixing method. Pink color is obtained when creating a blend of ready-made white and red wines. But such a production technology is not allowed in all states.

How to make rose wine

To get a real and tasty drink, it is important to adhere to a clear and consistent technique for making it. How wine is made, consider in stages:

1. Grape harvest

Here you need to pay special attention to the degree of ripeness of the berries. In addition, the grapes must be clean. The collection is often carried out manually, less often special mechanical equipment is used.

2. Sorting and receiving raw materials

The harvest is brought to wine warehouses, where it is placed in special containers. The mechanism is arranged in the form of a funnel, it crushes the berries and separates them from the ridges.

3. Crushing

Special devices break the skin of the fruit to extract the maximum amount of juice from them.

4. Fermentation and maceration

The must combines and interacts with the solid particles of the grapes. The latter contain strong aromatic and coloring substances. The longer the fermentation and maceration, the richer the taste and darker the color. For table wine, 3-4 days is enough, for high-quality wine, more than 20 days are needed.

5. First fermentation (alcoholic)

water phase. The sugars contained in the grapes under the influence of yeast are converted into alcohol within 4-10 days. The required temperature is +20 0 C. Bentonite is added.

6. Pressing and decuvage (depending on the type of wine)

After draining the liquid, the pulp is extracted and pressed from the vat. This is necessary to obtain self-flowing wine.

7. Second fermentation (malolactic)

It is carried out only when needed. Lactobacilli are used, which convert malic acid into lactic acid, reduce the acidity of the drink and change its taste.

8. Sulfitation

Sulfur is used to clarify the must and delay its oxidation. It is necessary to strictly maintain and observe the proportions and technology.

The production of rosé wine is carried out using a mixed technology for the production of white and red. A slightly modified sequence can be applied to a pressed or drained beverage.

The best rosé wines

Italian ones are considered the most popular and in demand, and they began to be produced here earlier than anywhere else. The recipe and features of the production of rosé wines have been preserved and improved for centuries. In addition, it is in France and Italy that you can find such grape varieties that are not found in any other state.

The laws of these countries regarding the production and sale of wine are quite strict and harsh. This gives an additional guarantee of the quality and naturalness of the drink.

French rose wines

Today the drink of the sun is popular all over the world. Residents of all countries know and love rose wine. France is a state that occupies a special place among other manufacturers. Almost all of its regions are engaged in the creation of wine.

Special attention should be given to Provence. The first large-scale production of wine began here, and it remains the leading French region in our time. The production of a pink drink in Provence is carried out from the grape varieties Senso, Grenache and Mourvedre, the characteristic differences of which are light notes of strawberries in taste.

The most famous brands of pink drink are also produced in Anjou and Travel.

Travel is a small village in the Rhone Valley. Its peculiarity is that only 9 varieties of grapes are grown here and only rosé wines are produced. Anjou is a region that produces a classic rose-colored drink.

Moreover, the latter is famous for such famous types of wine as:

Semi-dry "Rose d" Anjou. Slightly watery, without a bright aroma and pronounced taste.

Semi-dry "Cabernet d" Anjou. The aroma contains strawberry shades.

Rose dry wine "Rose de Loire", with a refreshing aroma and a delicate aftertaste.

Throughout France, a wonderful drink is made. No less famous are the wines found in Champagne and Sancerre, not to mention the familiar Bordeaux and Marsanne.

Spanish and Italian wines

For a pink drink in these temperamental countries, Tempranillo and Garnacha grape varieties are used. Here the wine is called "rosado". Unlike soft French rose, it contains more alcohol, and its taste is more brutal and pronounced.

- "Aston Martin" - the car of Prince Charles, running on biofuel. Its peculiarity is that this fuel is extracted from wine.

Drink of the sun today is produced all over the world. All continents, except Antarctica, are engaged in its manufacture. Noble, refreshing, invigorating, it will be a great option for any event, be it a romantic evening or a business conversation, a family dinner or a friendly meeting.

Wine was, is and will be relevant always, anywhere and at any time.

A drink of the color of a wild rose has always aroused admiration and turned heads. began to be produced in the 15th century. Thanks to its light taste and rich aroma, it has always been popular and loved by winemakers, despite the relative complexity of the technology.

However, today the popularity of rosé wine is quite low when compared with white or. Maybe it's the lack of information about the drink. Well, let's try to fix it.

The delusion that pink wine obtained by mixing and red,
quite common. In fact, it is made from red and white varieties.
grapes using a technology similar to red wine. The difference is that the fruits themselves, which
in the manufacture of red wine remain in the grape juice here separated much earlier. Therefore, the coloring of the juice does not occur completely - the wine acquires a pleasant light pink hue.

grape varieties used for rosé wine production are no different from others.
The most common: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and others. In France
not all provinces can boast of their rosé wine. Until recently
the most popular producer of rosé wines here was Provence, but Burgundy, and Bordeaux
still faithful to this drink. Rose wine is also popular in other European countries. His
produced in Italy, Spain, Portugal ...

However, today there is a growing demand for rosé wines of Chile, Argentina, USA. There are several types of rosé wine. Popular Tsinfandel - a pale pink drink with fruity notes.

More saturated in taste and color, rosé wines are the result of the creativity of winemakers from the Grenache and Syrah islands. These wines have a pronounced strawberry aroma and flavor.

What are the benefits of rosé wine?

It seems that here they are, rosé wines, all the same. However, this is a completely independent category, which has its own premium brands for fashionistas, and amazing discoveries for researchers, and stunning combinations for aesthetics. Why does one rose cost 500 rubles, and the other - 5000? Why is one bright carmine and the other pale orange? Red wines are made from red grapes, white wines are made from white grapes, but what are rosés made from?

The answers are not quite as simple as they seem. Winemakers like to say that “good wines are born in the vineyard”, that winemaking technologies can no longer add anything to wine… This is not entirely true in the case of rosé wines.

A few years ago we experienced a real boom. Cannes, Nice and other glamor of the Côte d'Azur have created a fashion for the Provencal style, and as a result, the share of dry, piercing, complex (and sometimes very complex) roses in the world is growing in quantitative terms, and even faster - in monetary terms. The caliber of the characters also matches: celebrities of the wine world, such as Sasha Lishin, who sold his Bordeaux chateau to start winemaking in Provence, and ex-wifes Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who sold out the products of their Château Miraval in the blink of an eye, were noted here.

It is characteristic that in Provence (except for small Bandol) almost no red wines are produced. The goal here is to make a rosé wine. From ... of course, red grapes! For this variety, not only are they chosen correctly (to provide the right aromas), but they are also grown and harvested in such a way as to produce not very rich wines.

Provencal rosé wines

So, this is the first style of rosé: Provencal, very lightly colored wines of the color of "onion peel", or "salmon", refreshing, suitable for salads or cold appetizers. And, as a rule, the word Provence will appear on the label, indicating the origin.

How much can it cost: for the most part, these are wines of the middle price category. It is unlikely that premium samples will be found in ordinary supermarkets, but it is possible that they will be on the wine lists of restaurants.

Rosé wines made from red

Style #2 is made in almost every region that produces powerful red wines. The technology is simple: to give red wine a greater concentration, you need to drain a little juice during the fermentation process. From this drained juice, you can make rose wine. As a rule, such wines are inexpensive, and demonstrate in a simplified form the characteristics inherent in the red variety. In the case of Pinot Noir, light, acidic wines will turn out, rosé Bordeaux and Loire will be openly berry, pink Argentine malbec or rose Australia - powerful, fragrant, spicy wines.

How much can it cost: These wines are usually inexpensive, and tend to be much brighter in color than Provence. Due to the fact that they are closer to red wines, they can be combined with richer dishes - dense fish (salmon, tuna), grilled, seafood dishes, pizza, risotto. An interesting option with Asian cuisine may turn out to be interesting, but I personally really liked the pink malbec with ceviche.

Rosé wines from rose grapes

Style #3 is a rosé wine made… from rosé grapes! Some varieties that we know as white have slightly colored skins. Therefore, if you do not separate it during fermentation (make "white by the red method"), the juice will turn into a delicate copper color. The most famous example of this variety is Pinot Grigio, which will be indicated on the label, sometimes with an indication of its “blush”, Blush. This style is used to make wines in the Veneto and Friuli regions. As a rule, these wines are not very complex and not very expensive.

How much can it cost: however, if such a wine costs more than 2000 rubles, this is a sign of the winemaker's ambitions, and one can expect interesting aromas of aging on the lees and in a barrel. The best pairings for these wines are baked fish or white meat dishes with a degree of complexity corresponding to the wine.

Rosé wines made by blending white and red

But style No. 4 is familiar to everyone thanks to Champagne. Yes, that's right, only there, to get a pink color, it is allowed to mix ready-made red and white wines, while getting any shades. But this rule only applies in Europe! This is how the expensive rosé wine Château Musar from Lebanon is made, where the addition of red wine only emphasizes the structure of the white of two unique local varieties. The result is a kind of "non-carbonated champagne", pale pink, abstruse, with aromas of dried apricots, honey and nuts, needs to be opened a few hours before drinking and is beautiful in itself.

There have been times in the history of mankind when rosé was especially successful. For example, pink Tavel from the Rhone Valley was considered the favorite drink of King Philip IV the Handsome. Very fond of this wine and in Versailles under Louis XIV. It is also worth recalling the "pink madness" that swept the United States in the late 1970s and lasted for several years. Then the Americans became obsessed with blush wine. It was pale pink in color and made from Zinfandel, a red grape variety. Then a few more similar wines appeared - white grenage, pinot noir and merlot. However, later the time of oblivion came - the sales were mostly low-quality drinks, flavored with a fair amount of sugar. Rosé became a "second grade" wine. Fortunately, the situation has changed and pink is back in fashion. A romantic drink today is produced in all wine countries of the world.

Capricious technologies

The quality, taste and aroma of rosé wine depend on how it is made. Many producers do it very simply - just as an artist dilutes red paint with white to get a pink tint, they mix different colors of wine. But in some countries it is forbidden to make a romantic drink in this way - high-quality pink should be made only from red grapes. There are two production methods. In the first case, it is obtained by reducing the contact time of grape juice with the skin, because it contains coloring and aromatic substances that, during fermentation, turn into wine, giving it an intense shade and aroma. The second method is called in medical terms - "bloodletting". Such a rosé is a by-product of red production: when the winemaker needs to get a drink of a richer shade, he drains a small amount of liquid from the fermentation tank with juice and crushed berries. It is from this “removed” part after fermentation that rosé wine is obtained.

French password

French rosé wines are considered the most famous and probably the highest quality. But do not rush to take the first bottle from France that comes across from the store shelf - you can buy a fake. First, look for the word rose on the label - it means that it is pink in the vessel. Secondly, find the "password" of any high-quality French wine - the inscription Appellation ... controle. The ellipsis should be replaced by the name of the appellation - a region (or even one vineyard) with special soil, microclimate and other conditions ideal for the production of a particular drink. For example, Appellation Tavel controle will be written on Tavel rosé wine - it costs from 900 rubles. for a bottle. A drink from nearby Lirac will cost you about the same. True, Tavel is considered better among specialists, but one must be careful with it - a beautiful wine with a slight orange tint of onion peel is so powerful and insidious that it can knock even a man off his feet. Pink Lirak is more fruity and delicate. The same can be said about wines from the Loire Valley, which are made from Cabernet grapes: Cabernet dAnjou (from 400 rubles) and Cabernet de Saumur (Cabernet de Saumur, from 350 rubles) . These are feminine drinks - fragrant with strawberries, slightly sweet, and the “sugar content” in them is completely natural, because these wines are considered semi-dry.

However, the southern regions of France, Provence and Languedoc, are considered the “small homeland” of pinks, where to this day they are produced more than reds and whites. Roses here can be both beautiful and mediocre, so experts advise: to figure it out, you just have to try. What many do when visiting the Cote d'Azur, where in the summer heat the rose flows like a river. The most famous rose of Provence - Bandol (price from 600 rubles) has a bright shade and fruity aroma. You can recognize this and other local wines by an unusual bottle, similar in shape to a skittle: such vessels are used only in this region, but some producers also produce wine in classic glassware. Languedoc also has its own "stars" - sweet roses Banyuls and Rivesalts at a price of 1000 rubles. These are quality wines with a rich aroma and taste of berries, dried fruits, honey, vanilla, almonds.

Pink Spain

Real rosados ​​(as they call rosé wines in Spain) are different from French ones (however, sometimes they can be called rose in French). They are drier, often stronger and more brutal, so women need to be more careful with them.

Good rosados ​​(price from 400 rubles) are obtained from the red tempranillo variety in Rioja - this is the appellation and the name of the wine. However, there is no French Appellation … controle on Spanish bottles - in addition to the word rosado on the label, you need to look for local passwords: Denominacion de Origen Calificada for wines from Rioja and simply Denominacion de Origen (name of origin) for drinks from other regions. Above these phrases, indicated on the label in small print, the name of the appellation itself is printed a little larger - Rioja, Penedes, Ribera del Duero, and so on.

If the bottle of Spanish rose is not marked with a password stamp, it is quite possible that not the best quality wine is hidden in it. Experts even suspect that some local pink canteens are made by the method of painters - a mixture of white and red drinks.

Blush is not a whim

The Americans have made their weighty word in the world of rosé wine - it's blush, which in Russian is best translated as "pinkish". The drink is made from the most popular local variety "zinfandel", which is why it is often called White Zinfandel (price starts from 300 rubles). The wine is light and pale, due to the fact that the skin of the grapes is almost immediately separated from the juice. Such drinks are extremely popular in the USA, and unlike European roses, they compete quite successfully with white and red ones at competitions and tastings. Perhaps this is due to the taste and color preferences of Americans, because local wines are no better than rose ones from Europe. However, in California they also produce rosé-style drinks. They are somewhat similar to the French from the Rhone Valley and are not pale in color, but rich hot pink.

"Young" wines

Young wine powers (Chile, Australia, Argentina) are powerfully pushing European and American producers, but still the war is going on mainly on the red and white fronts. In France, the production of rosé is consecrated by tradition and strictly regulated by law, and in the new empires everything is possible. Here they produce both wonderful pink and "compotes" of white and red. Since the appellation system is not as clear-cut as in Europe, it is much more difficult to distinguish a quality wine from a bad one. Therefore, the main principle of choice is the trial and error method. Buy drinks based on personal experience. In addition, pay attention to the way they are made, however, this technique does not always work: unfortunately, it is rarely indicated on the label. If you have favorite red and white wines from Chile or Australia, look who makes them: there is a chance that the manufacturer also produces a good rosé. This rule works even better in a negative field. If you come across low-quality wine, remember the manufacturer and its supplier to Russia and never buy such a product again.

Expert opinion

Vladimir Tsapelik, President of the Independent Wine Club

Rosé wines are all the rage right now in the world. Almost the only exception is Russia: they are not very popular with us yet. But I strongly advise you to try them right now, because soon they can change a lot. The European Union is discussing a new law on rosé wines, which could simply destroy them. He will allow them to be made not only from red grapes, but also by mixing white and red materials. You cannot create a good rose in this way. If such a law is nevertheless adopted, we will be transported mainly low-quality pink drinks.

How to drink rosé wines

• Only cool. For an aperitif, the wine is cooled to 8-10 ° C, for consumption with food - up to 10-12 ° C.
• For a long time, the pink ones drank "in Russian" - swallowing in one fell swoop, almost like vodka. This was due to the fact that the taste of the drinks was not too good. Now they are beginning to be consumed, like any other quality wines, in small sips, savoring and enjoying the taste and aroma. The best new rosés also have an aftertaste. But old wines were often deprived of this - the best of them created a pleasant strawberry or raspberry “attack” in the mouth, and then the taste quickly passed.
• Most rosé wines go well with any meal - with berry and fruit dishes, red and white meat, fish, seafood, pâtés. They can accompany the meal from start to finish. True, it is better if the feast is summer, because these drinks are primarily intended for the warm season.
• Roses are best drunk young - within two years of bottling. There are rare exceptions such as Bandol, which is usually consumed later, when the wine has had time to take on the shade of onion skins.

Rosé wine stars