We all love a glass of pale pink rosé, but how is this wonder wine made? Why is Provence the go to region for premium pink deliciousness this summer?
Like red and white wine, rosé is a genre of wine, and is not a specific type of grape, unlike riesling, merlot, and shiraz for example. Rosé is made from red wine grapes.
Loved around the world for its beautiful pale pink colour and refreshing taste that goes perfectly with many foods and occasions, rosé is the oldest known wine in the world, with its winemaking roots tracing back to ancient Greece. This is because wine-making techniques in those days were different to what they are today. The method of macerating red grapes, which gives red wine its colour, was unknown or, at the least, very uncommon. Therefore, wine made from red grapes was rosé!
Rosé can be made in a number of different ways and can be produced from a number of different red grape varietals, which is why there’s such a variety of rosé in the world (think sweet, dry, pale pink, deep blush).
The most common way to make rosé is by the skin contact method. When red grapes get crushed their juice and skin soak together, a process that is called maceration. Once the skins have given colour to the juice (this can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days), they are removed, and you’re left with a wine with a pink hue and lighter flavour than that of red wine.
Photograph: (C) SOWINE-CIVP
Where is Provence, and what is so special about it?
We’re so glad you asked! Provence is a region of Southeastern France spanning 200 kilometres bordering Italy and the Mediterranean. It’s renowned for its grid-worthy landscapes, golden-hued sunsets and spectacular lavender fields.
Provence is also known as the oldest wine region in France – the Greeks planted the first grapevines in the region 2,600 years ago. In the second century B.C, the Romans settled in Provence and helped spread the demand for rosé by producing it and distributing the wine throughout the region.
So, what makes Provence so special then, you ask? Well, the region’s sunny, dry and Mediterranean climate – we’re talking 300 days of sunshine a year – coupled with its close proximity to the ocean, and the diversity of its soil (in short, the terroir) create the perfect storm to produce some of the finest rosé in the world.
Picture rosé that’s dry, aromatic and has a light tint of melon. We’re thirsty just thinking about it.
Photograph: Herve Fabre
So rosé is big in Provence, I take it?
Gosh yes. Provence produces the greatest amount of rosé in France – 150 million AOC bottles were sold in 2020, which accounted for 38 per cent of rosé production nationwide and 4.2 per cent around the world. Which makes sense, as 91 per cent of the region’s wineries are dedicated to making the wine.
Since 1990, the consumption of rosé wine has continued to rise in France, in fact, it’s tripled in just 25 years. And today, one in three bottles of wine purchased is a bottle of rosé.
But Provence rosé is not just big in France. Exports of Provence wines have skyrocketed by nearly 500 per cent in 15 years; and Vins de Provence exported 60 million bottles around the world in 2020. If you’ve ever had a delicious French rosé, we bet it was from Provence.
Photograph: Serge Chapuis
And what is special about Provence rosé?
Of all the rosés made in the world, the Provence AOCs are delicate, fresh and fruity and the region is the only one in France to specialise in dry and aromatic rosé wines.
Thanks to Provence’s climate, terroir and varieties, the region creates the perfect rosé.
Rosé comes in varying colours, quality levels and sweetness: there are dry rosés and sweet rosés, pale rosés and dark rosés, rosé to drink when you want to party and those to sip on when you want to fine dine.
Photograph: François Millo
Thanks to Provence’s climate, terroir and varieties, the region creates the perfect rosé
Is this organic wine?
Every step along the wine making process is carefully thought out by Provence’s wine-growers and makers to ensure they produce high-quality rosé wines.
Noting the growing consumer appetite for organic wine, the winemakers of Provence are dedicated to a sustainable transition across their winemaking practices and have collectively set a goal to be 100 per cent organic or High Environmental Value by 2030. And many of the winemakers in the region are already working towards biodynamic certification (a regenerative approach to agriculture).
Photograph: Herve Fabre
How does rosé get its colour and flavour?
Only the skins of red grapes contain colour pigments. The pulp, which gives the juice, is colourless. As a result, the colour of a rosé wine will depend on how long the skins and the juice are in contact, and at what temperature. As we touched on above, this is known as the maceration process.
You can identify Provence rosé wines by their palette of light and bright colours with shades of pink or orange. Peach, melon, mango, pomelo, mandarin and redcurrant are the names of the six main colours of the rosé wines made in Provence.
While there are a variety of flavours present in Provence rosés, you’ll find they will all be dry, with fresh, fruit forward flavours. Some flavours to expect from Provence rosé are citrus and exotic fruit flavours (grapefruit, pineapple and passion fruit); yellow and white fruit flavours (melon, peach and apricot); fruit and candy flavours (banana, strawberry candy, and marshmallow); berry flavours (cherry, raspberry and strawberry); floral notes (rose, honeysuckle, orange blossom); and spices and aromatics (cinnamon, pepper and vanilla).
Photograph: Patricia Brochu
How and when should I drink rosé?
Really, whenever you wish! But let’s get the basics right first. Provence rosé is best served chilled between 8° and 10°C. Never warm, and even on balmy days try to refrain from plonking a few ice cubes in your glass, as it will dilute the flavour of the wine.
One of the reasons rosé is universally loved around the world is due to its simplicity and ability to adapt and compliment any situation, from a casual to a lavish affair. From enjoying a glass with your partner to sharing a bottle with friends and family, during aperitif, a cocktail reception, a holiday meal, at a fancy restaurant, or sipping on it by the sea, Provence AOC rosés can complement and enhance life’s many great moments.
The refreshing wine also pairs perfectly with cheese boards, seafood, vegetarian, fish and poultry dishes, as well as Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
Though at the end of the day, rosé is best enjoyed however you choose to, and whomever you choose to drink it with. So, pour a glass of Provence rosé, savour its pale pink colour, fruity flavours and dry refreshing taste, and see the world through rosé-coloured glasses. Cheers!