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Rosé wines : Key Points

History can trace the beginning of rose wine back to ancient Greece where this pink drink was produced as a watered down field blends of red and white grapes. This light libation was created prior to the Greek and Roman exploration of separating grapes by colour and was a far cry from the popular, refreshing wine we know nowadays. The start of rose wine, as we know it today, began in the Middle Ages when the Romans landed in Provence. A majority of rose wine today is made from red grapes and its lovely pink colour comes from soaking the grape skins with its pressed juice for a short period of time.

Rose wine became a symbol of glamour and summer leisure in the 19th century when tourists flocked to the south of France and imbibed this local style. This perfectly pink trend spread rapidly throughout the winemaking word and today nearly every wine region produces its own style of rose wine. Rose wine can be made from nearly any red grape variety from Cabernet Franc, to the more popular Grenache, Syrah and Pinot Noir. It can also range in styles from, dry to sweet and even still or sparkling.