Rosé’s Rising Popularity
Yesterday’s Rosé is not today’s. Rosé wine has been gaining tremendous popularity and the wine drinkers of New Hampshire are also partaking in the purchase of this pretty, pink, drink. According to Forbes, nationwide rosé sales are up 53% in the last year. This drastic leap is spurred on by rosé’s affordability and diversity of flavors, but also by its fashionable appearance. Nothing says summer quite like a cute yet refreshing drink!
Meet the Rosé of Today
Rosé should no longer be tied to stereotypical sweet white zinfandels and pink moscatos of the past, the rosés of 2018 are as diverse as the red wines from which they stem, from fruit-forward Pinot Noir rosés to bolder cabernet sauvignon-originated ones. Today rosés range from extremely dry to bright and fruity, not super-sweet like many people assume. However, regardless of the style, rosés are a subtle wine with a high drinkability, you won’t ever find a rosé to be overpowering like some other wines. Rosé’s newfound diversity and its easy to approach nature make it a winning purchase among people of all ages and palates. Its appeal is especially strong in the summer months as it pairs excellently with nearly everything, from grilled foods to fruits, making it an ideal wine to bring to a BBQ or a more formal affair.
What Makes a Rosé
Red and white wine drinkers alike can agree on rosé. Unlike red or white wines which usually appeal to their own audiences, rosé sits nicely in-between the two, offering some of the best characteristics of both. Most rosé wine is made from red grapes which are still white on the inside. When the grapes are crushed to produce the wine, the skins are allowed to remain in contact with the juice, but only for a short period of time, creating the beautiful, pink hue which rosé is famous for. The longer the grape skins remain in contact with the juice the more richly flavored and darker colored the rosé will be. Once the skins are removed from the juice the fermentation process begins. This process creates a refreshing wine with subtle flavor notes. Years ago, many rosé wines were made using the runoff from red wines, leading people to view rosé as an overthought. Today, this isn’t the case, wineries are putting great thought and care into the production of their rosé wine and using grapes grown specifically for rosé. This new attention to the details is what allows for such a wide range of flavors and styles.
A Bouquet of Rosés to Pick
The New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlets carry over 100 unique rosés and while they are all delicious choices, we have hand-selected a few of our favorites to share with you!
Ch. D’Esclans Whispering Angel
Rosés don’t have to stand alone either, did you know that they can be used in a wide assortment of drinks? Well, now you do!
Sparkling Raspberry Rosé Cocktail
Gin and Grapefruit Rosé Cocktail
