ROSÉ rosé colourings strawberry blossom blackberry berries cherries plums raspberry jam rose Rosé wine is made from blue grapes and sometimes from a combination of blue and white grapes. Like red wine, rosé gets its colour from the skins of the blue grapes, only these are removed from the juice (must) earlier than with red wines. During vilification, the grapes are bruised and the skins start to give off their colour to the juice. As soon as the winemaker is happy with the colour, the grapes are carefully pressed and the skins are separated from the juice. And voila: rosé wine… But what is the difference between all the rosé wines, grape varieties and regions? Rosé wine is made from blue grapes and sometimes from a combination of blue and white grapes. Like red wine, rosé gets its colour from the skins of the blue grapes, only these are removed from the juice (must) earlier than with red wines. During vinification, the grapes are bruised and the skins start to give off their colour to the juice. As soon as the winemaker is happy with the colour, the grapes are carefully pressed and the skins are separated from the juice. And voila: rosé wine… But what is the difference between all the rosé wines, grape varieties and regions?

STYLES Of course, we encounter different styles in rosé wines: from fresh and fruity to full and firm. The difference in style, colour, smell and flavor is determined by the grape variety as well as by the winemaker and the climate. Of course, we encounter different styles in rosé wines: from fresh and fruity to full and firm. The difference in style, colour, smell and flavour is determined by the grape variety as well as by the winemaker and the climate.

PROVENCE Rosé wines are made all over the world and from different grape varieties. Here, we will take a look at the regions that produce distinctive rosé wines. The biggest rosé wine producer in the world is the Provence region, located in the southeast of France. Rosé wines are made all over the world and from different grape varieties. Here, we will take a look at the regions that produce distinctive rosé wines. The biggest rosé wine producer in the world is the Provence region, located in the southeast of France.

PROVENCE ROSE The Provence wines came into being a very long time ago. The ancient Greeks, who founded the city of Marseille, planted the first grapevines here. Julius Caesar mentions the wines in his memoirs of the conquest of Gaul. Provence rosé wine is made from several different grape varieties, of which Grenache and Syrah are the most important. The wine has a magnificent orange-pink colour. Its aroma and flavor are fresh and fruity with a full, herby and juicy finish. Its influences include blossom, blackcurrants and raspberries. The Provence wines came into being a very long time ago. The ancient Greeks, who founded the city of Marseille, planted the first grapevines here. Julius Caesar mentions the wines in his memoirs of the conquest of Gaul. Provence rosé wine is made from several different grape varieties, of which Grenache and Syrah are the most important. The wine has a magnificent orange-pink colour. Its aroma and flavour are fresh and fruity with a full, herby and juicy finish. Its influences include blossom, blackcurrants and raspberries.

SPAIN Spanish rosé wines can come from just about any region in Spain. The Bobal grape has a full and fruity character and can be found on the Spanish east coast surrounding the city of Valencia. Undoubtedly, the most characteristic Spanish grape used to make rosé wine is the Tempranillo grape. It is very suitable for making rosé wine. Spanish rosé wines can come from just about any region in Spain. The Bobal grape has a full and fruity character and can be found on the Spanish east coast surrounding the city of Valencia. It is very suitable for making rosé wine. Undoubtedly, the most characteristic Spanish grape used to make rosé wine is the Tempranillo grape.

TEMPRANILLO The Tempranillo grape has a thick skin and produces wines with a deep colour. It is often planted in regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valdepeñas, Catalonia, Navarra, Costers del Segre and along the coast of the Meditteranean Sea.Tempranillo grapes get their name from the fact that they ripen early: ‘temprano’ is Spanish for ‘early’. Wines made from Tempranillo grapes usually have a fruity flavour and an aroma of spices, vanilla and little red fruits. The Tempranillo grape has a thick skin and produces wines with a deep colour. It is often planted in regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valdepeñas, Catalonia, Navarra, Costers del Segre and along the coast of the Meditteranean Sea. Tempranillo grapes get their name from the fact that they ripen early: ‘temprano’ is Spanish for ‘early’. Wines made from Tempranillo grapes usually have a fruity flavour and an aroma of spices, vanilla and little red fruits.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is the most famous blue grape in the world. It originates in France and is often planted in Bordeaux. It is used to make the most prestigious red wines. We have to cross the ocean to find it in rosé wines: Chile uses Cabernet Sauvignon to its full advantage! Rosé wines made from this versatile grape smell and taste of blackcurrant, blackberries, mint and vanilla. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is the most famous blue grape in the world. It originates in France and is often planted in Bordeaux. It is used to make the most prestigious red wines. We have to cross the ocean to find it in rosé wines: Chile uses Cabernet Sauvignon to its full advantage! Rosé wines made from this versatile grape smell and taste of blackcurrant, blackberries, mint and vanilla.

ZINFANDEL A wine that makes California proud is known by its cute nickname ‘Zin’. It was introduced in California around 1820. The origin of Zinfandel has always been a topic of debate: it is said to have originated in Croatia or Hungary and to be the same grape as the Italian Primitivo from Puglia. However, the Californian wine university vehemently opposes these claims. In any case, it is a grape with international experience… When it is used in rosé wines it often tastes sweet and smells and tastes of dried fruit, honey and strawberries. A wine that makes California proud is known by its cute nickname ‘Zin’. It was introduced in California around 1820. The origin of Zinfandel has always been a topic of debate: it is said to have originated in Croatia or Hungary and to be the same grape as the Italian Primitivo from Puglia. However, the Californian wine university vehemently opposes these claims. In any case, it is a grape with international experience… When it is used in rosé wines it often tastes sweet and smells and tastes of dried fruit, honey and strawberries.

MERLOT The name ‘Merlot’ comes from the French word ‘merle’ (blackbird): it was named after the bird that loves this grape so much. Merlot has been planted more frequently in the last few years. It is very popular all over the world and people have realized that Merlot has to be planted in a relatively cool vineyard. This gives Merlot a delightfully fruity and intense character. It smells and tastes of strawberries, cherries and berries. The name ‘Merlot’ comes from the French word ‘merle’ (blackbird): it was named after the bird that loves this grape so much. Merlot has been planted more frequently in the last few years. It is very popular all over the world and people have realised that Merlot has to be planted in a relatively cool vineyard. This gives Merlot a delightfully fruity and intense character. It smells and tastes of strawberries, cherries and berries.

THE END In this chapter, I gave you an overview of the different types of rosé wines. Just like all other wines, rosé wines come in many varieties! So keep looking for your own style and taste experience! Cheers. In this chapter, I gave you an overview of the different types of rosé wines. Just like all other wines, rosé wines come in many varieties! So keep looking for your own style and taste experience! Cheers.