Fact #13 – How does rosé get its color?
We briefly explain what's behind it.
Rosé wine was out of fashion for a while, but it is happily back again. But how is this fruity pink summer wine made, and how does it get its light color?
Rosé is made from red wine grapes. The pulp of red wine grapes, just like white wine grapes, is transparent. The light color of rosé wine is determined by various factors, including the grape variety, the duration of maceration, and the type of grape skins. Generally, grape varieties with lighter skins are used to produce lighter rosé. If the maceration time is short, there is less time for the extraction of color pigments, resulting in a lighter color. Additionally, the production method can influence the color. When blending red and white wine, the color of the rosé wine is determined by the proportions of the two wines used.
It is important to note that the exact production of rosé wine can vary from region to region and from winemaker to winemaker. Each wine producer may have their own specific techniques and preferences in rosé wine production.
How is rosé made?
Basically, we distinguish between three main methods for producing rosé wine: maceration, saignée method, and blending.
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Maceration:
This method uses red grapes. The grapes are pressed, and the juice is left in contact with the grape skins for a limited time (usually a few hours to a few days). The skins contain pigments that give the wine its pink color. The longer the contact between juice and skins, the darker the rosé wine's color will be. After maceration, the juice is separated from the skins, and the fermentation process begins.
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Saignée Method:
This method is often used in red wine production. A portion of the juice is drained from the fermentation tank (saignée means "bleeding" in French). This usually happens when the wine is still relatively young. The drained juice is then used to make rosé wine. By removing the juice, the remaining red wine gets a more intense concentration. The drained juice is fermented separately and becomes rosé wine.
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Blending:
This method of rosé production is very uncommon for still rosé wines, but it is somewhat more common in sparkling wine regions such as Champagne. In the blending method (also called the rosé sparkling wine method), which produces a wide range of light to heavy rosé wines, a little red wine is added to white wine. For this method of rosé production, a large amount of red wine is not needed. 5% – 20% red wine is enough to color a white wine pink.
While pink still wines are generally considered an inexpensive summer wine, the situation is different for sparkling wines. Rosé sparkling wines, and especially rosé champagne or MCCs, are considered particularly noble and surpass their white counterparts in price.
Rosé wines are not well suited for long aging; they should be drunk young and fresh within one to three years. The light, rather sweet version is very suitable as an aperitif wine, regardless of the grape variety. A robust rosé also pairs well with olives, cheese, and dried tomatoes.
Our Rosé Wines
Remaining stock >6 bottles
MULDERBOSCH
Rosé – 2021
CHF 10.90 instead of 12.90
Killer Deal >6 bottles
HAUTE CABRIÈRE
Pinot Noir Rosé – 2022
CHF 10.90 instead of 14.90
Six Pack Special >6 bottles
TOKARA
Rosé – 2022
CHF 12.90 instead of 15.90
Six Pack Special >6 bottles
GLENELLY
Le Rosé de May Syrah – 2022
CHF 12.50 instead of 16.90
Six Pack Special >6 bottles
VAN LOGGERENBERG
Break a Leg Blanc de Noir – 2020
CHF 14.90 instead of 18.90
Remaining stock >6 bottles
BEYERSKLOOF
Pinotage Rosé – 2020
CHF 9.90 instead of 14.90
Promotion
WARWICK
The First Lady Rosé – 2020
CHF 10.90 instead of 14.90
Killer Deal >6 bottles
DIEMERSDAL
Rosé – 2022
CHF 11.90 instead of 15.90
Killer Deal >6 bottles
KLEINE ZALZE
Cellar Select. Cinsault Rosé – 2022
CHF 10.90 instead of 14.90
Our Rosé Sparkling Wines
Killer Deal >6 bottles
KLEINE ZALZE
MCC Rosé Brut – N.V.
CHF 17.90 instead of CHF 24.90
Killer Deal >6 bottles
STEENBERG
1682 Rosé Pinot Noir – N.V.
CHF 21.90 instead of CHF 29.00
Killer Deal >6 bottles
GRAHAM BECK
Brut Rosé – N.V.
CHF 19.90 instead of CHF 24.90
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price as of 19.06.2023.
Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes reserved.
