Inexpensive, tasty, and a fun color – Rosé has been a rising star in the wine scene in a massive way. In the past it got a bad rap, from something that wasn’t Rosé at all – white zinfandel. When I moved to the UK in 2007, I remember a few women at the pub telling me they’d just come back from California and couldn’t believe how inexpensive the Rosé was…and I thought, “because it was in a box?” A few years ago, it may have been the most consumed wine in France but only a few places in the USA were drinking rose: The Hamptons, The Cape and Islands, and Miami. Now? All my friends on both sides of the pond were wearing t-shirts and even sun hats proclaiming Rosé All Day! Cranberry Liquors in Harwich Port has an extensive selection of rose wine, here are some fascinating facts I learned about the very special pink drink.
There’s a difference between a White Zin, a Rosé, and a Blush.
Joe, from Cranberry Liquors tells me: The main difference between a white zin, a blush and a rosé is the quality and types of grapes used to make the wine. Maybe more helpfully, the white zin, blush and rosé have one thing in common: these wines are all colored with grape skins. Without getting way too detailed, the color of any wine, including pink ones, can be accomplished by using the grape skins. The “pink” comes from the skins coming into contact with the “macerating” wine, which is busy getting delicious in a barrel.
Rosé is healthy for you.
I rejoiced when Joe told me, “Any wine has antioxidants; however, some wines have more than others. During this maceration process, when the skins of the grapes come into contact with the wine being fermented, the wine becomes enriched with all the nutrients the grape skins have to offer. Haven’t you ever been told the skin of most fruit and vegetables is where the nutrients are?
And Rosé pairs perfectly with healthy foods.
Rosé has a light flavor and it pairs perfectly with eating lighter summer foods. Break it out when eating “salads, chicken, and fish.” I’m planning meals already!
Rosé is inexpensive.
Rosés at Cranberry Liquors start at only $9.99! The reason that rosés are less expensive than other wines is due to its production. Rosé doesn’t need to sit around and age. It’s young and fresh and ready to go out the door. Cranberry Liquors sells a variety of rosés from all over the world at a variety of price points.
The taste of Rosé has nothing to do with its color.
I thought I knew a little something about wine. I’ve lived overseas, I’ve travelled through France, and I’ve consumed my fair share of rosé. Embarrassingly, I falsely believed that the darker the pink the sweeter the wine. Joe at Cranberry Liquors set me straight. “More often than not I will have a customer ask me for my suggestion when it comes to a “dry” or a “sweeter” rosé. Rosés can be further “colored” or “dyed” by this bleeding process, thereby negating any real correlation between coloring and “taste,” Top tip – figure out which region you like your rosé from and stick with vineyards in that area. For instance Cote de Rhone is known to be drier. But don’t let that stop you from trying out other area such as the popular Provence, its star Whispering Angel is referred to as Hamptons Gatorade. There are several American rosés that are worth a try as well, including an exceptional one made right here on Cape Cod by First Crush in Harwich.
Rosé is the most misunderstood wine.
Joe taught me this while teaching me everything else. I learned that I’ve taken my love of rosé for granted. Now I can pick a bottle based on criteria other than color and label design. I hope you learn a bit more about the drink that’s come to signify summer and giggles with the girls. If you have any additional questions, go see the guys at Cranberry Liquors and tell them I sent you!
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About Rebecca Romo
