Rosé Wine: A Full Rosé Wine Taste Guide

Rosé wine is a bit of an unknown to many casual wine enthusiasts. Though plenty has had a glass once or twice, they aren’t quite sure about what rosé is, how it’s produced, or the foods that are its perfect match.

Luckily, this article is there to help. If you have your doubts about rosé, you’re in the right spot.

We’re here to answer all the questions about this type of wine, explain how to drink rosé wine, and more.

So wait no more and start reading. Or, to grab a glass, visit Mi’talia Kitchen & Bar. We have the best wine menu in Miami, Florida, and we aren’t afraid to say so.

What Is Rosé?

What many people don’t know is that Rosé Wine is made from red wine grapes. The main difference is that time fermenting with grape skins is reduced, so rosé has a different color. That’s why these wines are light pink, and the rosé taste is a bit lighter compared to red wines.

No, rosé isn’t one of those wines that can be produced only in one region or only by one sort of grape. In fact, most rosé wines are a mixture of a few red wine grape types.

However, California is one of the places known for creating a particular type of rosé wine that features only one type of grape – pinot noir.

Which are the Rosé Grapes?

Most types of rosé wine come from blended grapes, but the main is usually the Grenache sort. Other types worth mentioning that are often included in the mix are:

• Cinsault
• Tibouren
• Syrah
• Mourvedre
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Carignan

Where is Rosé Made?

Provence, France, is the epicenter of rosé production in the world since most of the wine gets produced in this region. These bottles are known for their delicate, dry taste and a color that leans slightly towards orange.

They mostly use Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Syrah grapes in Provence and produce some of the most premium rosé wines in the world.

To be sure your bottle is coming from Provence, check the label for some of these appellations:

• Côtes de Provence
• Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
• Cassis
• Bandol
• Coteaux Varois

Keep in mind that rosé can be produced anywhere in the world. France and Provence aren’t the only places that have high-quality pink wines, so don’t throw away a bottle simply because it doesn’t come from that part of the planet.

What Does Rosé Taste Like?

Rosé taste is best described as a light red wine with some brighter notes. However, there are more descriptive ways of talking about the flavor of rosé wine. 

You’ll often hear mentions of flowers, red fruits, melon, citrus, and so on. But we’ll leave that to the pros.

Sweet Rosé vs Dry Rosé?

Now the big question – what’s the difference between sweet rosé and dry rosé? Firstly, most dry rosé wines come from the Old World, and most of the sweeter options are produced in the New World.

Though there are exceptions to this rule, you won’t find them that often.

Savory foods are what you should have on the table if you’re drinking a sweet rosé. These are the most common types of rosé wine considered sweet:

• White Merlot
• White Zinfandel
• Pink Moscato

Dry rosé doesn’t include that much sugar but has plenty of tannins. This element enhances the dryness and bitterness of the wine. Give dry rosé wines a shot if that’s something you enjoy in a drink.

The Best Food Pairings

Rosé taste isn’t as complicated as some other wines’ may be, so if you plan on pairing it with a meal, you’ll likely have no issues. 

This type of wine is incredibly food-friendly, but there are some recommendations we will emphasize.

For example, sushi and salads go perfectly with such a light drink as rosé. And, of course, if you’re eating al fresco, what better way to cool off than with a glass of cold wine? And rosé is served cold!

If sweet rosé is your drink of choice, consider pairing it with these meals:

• Roasts
• Barbecue meats
• Rich sauces

Those who prefer a dry rouse should try having it with the following:

• Salads
• Vegetables
• Grilled chicken
• Grilled fish

The Most Popular Types of Rosé

As we mentioned, rosé wines come from a mixture of grape sorts. That’s why some lean more towards one flavor, while others taste like a different type of grape. 

This causes subdivisions of rosé wine into types. Listed below are the most popular types of rosé wine and their characteristics.

• Tempranillo rosé is a dry, savory wine with a fruity flavor profile. It mostly comes from Spain.
• Sangiovese rosé is fruity but dry and comes from Italy in most cases. Drinking it, you’ll taste fresh strawberries, a hint of roses, and green melon. An acidic finish is also noticeable with this type of rosé wine.
• Syrah rosé isn’t like other rosé wines. It’s bold, drier, and carries notes of cherry and olive. This kind of rosé doesn’t have to be as cold when served.
• White Zinfandel is a favorite around the US. It’s quite sweet but with relatively high acidity levels. Consuming it, you’ll taste strawberry, lemon, and melon.
• Cabernet Sauvignon rosé resembles red wine more than other rosés on this list. It’s pretty savory and dry and more acidic than a red Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of black currant, black pepper, and spice are noticeable in this wine’s flavor.
• Tavel rosé has distinct fruit notes but comes with a way nuttier twist than you’re used to. This wine is very dry, robust, rich, and savory.
• Mourvedre rosé carries a meaty flavor with hints of cherry and some initial floral notes.
• Provence rosé is the classic. It’s fruity and light and pairs well with any type of cuisine. Strawberry and rosé petals are the most dominant flavors.
• Rosé Champagne – the name says it all. It’s Champagne mixed with red wine. Also known as sparkling rosé, this drink carries way more flavor than a traditional Champagne glass. And, it’s worth mentioning that Champagne is the only region where it is legal to combine white and red wines to create rosé.

Visit Mi’talia

Mi’talia is the best Italian restaurant in Miami and the area. Our wine list, the menu, the crew, and everything else involved guarantees that. Visit our restaurant and see why the locals keep coming back.