Explore four top varieties used for rosé wine. While these wines may look similar in terms of color, they are a world apart when it comes to flavors and food pairings. Find out which variety is your style.
Rosé wines may look similar in color, but there are a wide variety of flavors within this growing category of wine. The major differences of rosé wines result from the varieties they’re from which they are made. Find out about four popular rosé wine varieties, how they taste, and what foods to match with them.
Grenache (a.k.a. Garnacha) Rosé
Flavors
Strawberry, Raspberry, Watermelon Candy, Lemonade, and Cucumber. Wines have a burst of sweet red fruit flavors and a finish that usually ends with zesty sweet lemon-like acidity.
Food Pairing
Garnacha is best when paired with spices and nightshades (tomato, red pepper, eggplant). Look to Morocco, the Middle East and India for inspiration.
Pinot Noir
Flavors
Strawberry, Orange Zest, Lemon Zest, Watermelon, Celery and White Cherry. Pinot Noir is usually made into a lean, dry style that bursts with aromas but tends to be more delicate on the taste.
Food Pairing
Pinot Noir is amazing to try next to French spices such as Thyme or the Herbs de Provence blend. These green and floral spices will bring out the sweeter fruit flavors in this delicate wine. Additionally, California Pinot usually has enough body to match up with summer corn dishes like succotash and corn chowder.
Sangiovese
Flavors
Sweet Cherry, Wild Strawberry, Raspberry, Allspice, Clove and Cumin. Italian Sangiovese is a burst of red fruits that are complimented with subtle meaty spice notes.
Food Pairing
Sangiovese is bold enough as a variety to handle a variety of foods that normally would be problematic to pair with wine. The rosé will pair wonderfully with rich Chinese food dishes, Thai Curries and, of course, Italian favorites such as caprese salad and prosciutto.
Syrah
Flavors
The meatiest of the bunch, Syrah rosé wines exude white pepper, red pepper flake, cured meat, and cherry flavors with a backbone of bitter lime zest. This is not your typical fruity rosé wine!
Food Pairing
Look to Southern France, Northern Italy and Northern Spain for inspiration including roast vegetable linguine, Niçoise salad, lemon-garlic shrimp and paella.
By Madeline Puckette
I’m a certified wine geek with a passion for meeting people, travel, and delicious food. You often find me crawling around dank cellars or frolicking through vineyards. Find me at@WineFolly
***Grabbed from: http://winefolly.com/tutorial/3-rose-varieties-to-know-and-love/