Rosé wines are always remembered at the same time - in May. As soon as the weather is good, visitors to the terraces begin to demand an icy “rose”, which in other seasons they could not be tempted by any tricks of the producers.
The cool attitude of the current public has gone to rosé wines greatly. They ceased to be the subject of mass replication and for some time left the wave of cheap commerce.
In such prestigious regions as Bordeaux or Burgundy, only the most dedicated winemakers continued to produce "rose". For the same reason, rosé wines have remained, probably, the most "honest" - their price simply cannot be overstated.
Rose wine is made in one of several ways. Here is the most common one: after passing through a crusher for some time (not as long as for making red wine), red grapes are fermented together with the skin: it is from it that the juice gets its color.
The second method involves a short period of infusion of grape juice on the skins even before the onset of fermentation (which in this case is restrained by a low temperature or the addition of sulfur dioxide).
Burgundy
Few Burgundy winemakers have remained faithful to rosé wines, not spoiled by vacant vineyards and surplus harvests. One of the best examples is the elegant and sophisticated pink Marsannay.
Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, there are much more classy rosé wines - "rose" and "clerette". They are made both by the owners of large commercial brands (for example, in the interpretation of the Rothschilds, pink Mouton Cadet), and small castles like Chateau Hostens-Picant and Chateau Malrome.
Loire
Anjou rosés tend to lack the richness of southern wines and are often more acidic. Some producers try to get out of this situation by producing semi-dry “rosés”, excellent thirst quencher and perfect for fish. For a curiosity, try the wine of the Chateau de Tigne, owned by Gerard Depardieu.
Languedoc
The south of France is the richest region in rose wines. Tavelle and Bandol, Languedoc and Roussillon produce many outstanding rosé wines. A prime example is Domaines Ott from Bandol.
Spain
Here rosé wine is popular and is produced by almost every major company in Rioja or Penedès. With the light hand of Oz Clark, the author of the popular wine encyclopedia, Navarra's rosé wines began to be called almost the best in the world. There is some truth in this, but don't underestimate all the others.
Portugal
In Portugal, rose Mateus once became the most successful export project in general and surpassed port in terms of sales.
New World
Interesting and very bright (both in color and taste) rosé wines are produced in California, Argentina, Chile and many other places. Among the most worthy representatives is the delicious Chilean Santa Digna from Miguel Torres.
