Although the weather may not feel like warm sunshine is upon us, the 2023 Rosés are showing up on the shelves in many stores announcing the season has begun.
In 30 years, Rosé wine has become a force to be reckoned with. Since 1990, the consumption of Rosé wines has continued to rise. In fact, it actually tripled in just 25 years and today, one in three bottles of wine purchased is a bottle of rosé-well in France at least! More than just a fad, rosé wine has made a place for itself in today’s wine consumer’s lifestyle. Vins de Provence exported 60 million bottles in 2022 alone and that number has continued to rise, year after year.
Last year I was able to travel to Provence at the end of July and to say it was “hot” was an understatement. I thought I was in Chicago in August! This is why this area has produced more Rosé wines than any other in the world.
Pink is not sweet; don't let the color fool you! Whether you're trying to find a great deal or looking for the very best, these are wines with real character. Rosé wine flavors range from scrumptious strawberry and raspberry to juicy cherry and citrus flavors, and the colors range from ballet slipper pink to cranberry sorbet.
Rosé has unlimited food-pairing potential! While rosé is typically thought of for warm weather occasions and outdoor events, more and more people are finding opportunities to drink rosé all year. Provencal rosé goes well with a charcuterie plate, salads, light pastas, fresh fruit, or cold appetizers such as potato or pasta salads. The well-seasoned, spicy dishes you prepare on the grill are perfectly complimented with rosé. At all price points, these are wines that have real personality, with fruit and acidity happily in balance.
When the Greeks planted the first grapevines in Provence 2,600 years ago, they were already making rosé! Their wine making techniques were different, the method of macerating red grapes, which gives red wine it’s color, was unheard of or at least not very common. Wine made from red grapes was therefore Rosé. So in other words, Rosé is the oldest known wine!
I’m a firm believer the more Rosé you drink, the more the sun will shine!
Cheers to warm weather and more Rosé.