bouteille vin rosé et poisson

Food and Wine Pairing: Rosé Special

Rosé, the quintessential summer wine, is currently enjoying a surge in popularity. change in range and qualityIndeed, its consumption is increasing both in France and abroad. This renewed enthusiasm is thought to be linked to a change in trends, particularly the emergence of a more female audience, younger and in search of more affordable winesWith the arrival of summer, we offer you an article on tasting and pairing rosé wine with food. From winemaking to tasting, including food pairings, this article provides an overview of everything related to this wine, which is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.

Types of rosé wines

No, rosé wine is not made from a mixture of red and white wine. Rosé wine can be made from three different ways. 

The macerated rosé wine

This type of rosé is made from grapes harvested from black grapesThis method involves placing the grapes in vats for 12 and 24 hours before The start of fermentation. This allows the berries to release the pulp, skin, seeds, and grape juice. During this brief stage, pigments and aromas permeate and color the juice, giving it a pinkish hue. Fermentation then proceeds at a temperature between between 18 and 20°CThis helps to preserve the freshness and aromas of the fruit. 

Rosé wine made using the saignée method

Rosé de saignée is obtained from in a fairly similar way than the macerated rosé, made from grapes initially intended for red wine production. Like the previous method, it involves placing a harvest of red grapes in vats for 12 to 24 hoursThe juice that has already taken on a rosé hue will then be vinified separately. The rest will be left in the vat and vinified as red wine.

We say that we have "bled" the vat, meaning that a Part of the must obtained was transferred to a different barrel than the one where it will be fermented.This is what gave its name to the method, known as the saignée method for rosé wines. This method consists of obtaining a rosé wine with a very pronounced color.

Rosé pressed wine

This method consists of press directly after the harvest The grapes are either whole or destemmed. Only red-skinned grapes are selected so that the juice briefly comes into contact with the skins and seeds. The pigments contained in these elements (also called anthocyanins) give the juice its beautiful pink color. The juice is then transferred to vats for fermentation. This method is called rosé de pressurage. This winemaking process produces... lighter wines than the rosé wine made from maceration. 

In order to strengthen the structure of a rosé wine and give it an ability to la garde, The winemaker has various options. They can, in particular, take advantage of the tannic potential of certain grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre, or age the wine in barrels. The important thing is to maintain a good balance.

Rosé Wine and Food Pairings

Although it is generally a fairly light wine, rosé wine has a infinite range of flavors, aromas and styles. Dry, sweet, pale, dark, for aperitifs or even gastronomy, this type of wine is full of features. 

Rosé is often relegated to the appealing cliché of a summer aperitif, enjoyed with friends or by the pool. Contrary to popular belief, this type of wine is full of subtleties. Although it's often overlooked and consumed only at certain times of the year, rosé pairs wonderfully with many meals and can be drunk at any timeWhile still shunned by some connoisseurs of fine wines, it is increasingly consumed in France and abroad. This type of fruity and light wine Yet, rosé wine is made using a winemaking process just as technical as that of red and white wine. If you're unsure what to pair it with, we offer a few tips to help you discover the different pairing possibilities.

Appetizers

Fresh and fruity rosés are ideal to start with. They should awaken the taste buds without overwhelming the palate.

Recommended rosé wines : Côtes de ProvenceRosé d'Anjou, Gris de Camargue, Loire rosé
Temperature : 8-10°C

Perfect matches:

  • Black or green tapenade

  • Anchovy spread, pissaladière

  • Vegetable chips, hummus, tzatziki

  • Puff pastries with tomato or cheese

  • Marinated prawns, tuna rillettes

Entrances

At this stage, the rosé gains in intensity. It retains fruity and floral notes, with a little more roundness.

Recommended rosé wines : Corsican roséCostières de Nîmes, Tavel jeune
Temperature : 9-11°C

Perfect matches:

  • Niçoise or Greek salad

  • Sea bream or salmon carpaccio

  • Tuna tartare, ceviche

  • Melon and prosciutto salad

  • Lebanese tabbouleh, quinoa salad with vegetables

  • Pan-fried prawns or mussels cooked on the griddle

Main dishes

Here, the focus is on structured and expressive rosés, sometimes produced using direct pressing or the saignée method. They pair well with cooking, spices, and white meat.

Recommended rosé wines : Bandol roséLuberon, Tavel, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Temperature : 10-12°C

Perfect matches:

  • Marinated chicken or pork skewers

  • Paella, Provençal-style rice

  • Vegetable couscous, lamb tagine

  • Pork tenderloin with mustard sauce, rabbit with herbs

  • Goat cheese burger

  • Mildly spiced Asian dishes (pad thai, mild curry)

Cheeses

Few people think of rosé wines with cheeses, and yet some pairings are surprisingly accurate.

Recommended rosé wines Bandol or Pink palette (aged in oak barrels), Corsican rosé wines
Temperature : 12°C

Perfect matches:

  • Pyrenees sheep's milk cheese

  • Mature or fresh goat cheese with herbs

  • Young Comté cheese (12-18 months)

  • Reblochon, Abondance

  • Lightly made Chaource or Brie

  • Roquefort (with a rosé) demi-sec or mellow, like a rosé Clairette de Die)

Desserts

Rosé wines served at the end of a meal can complement light desserts, particularly those with red berries or citrus fruits. Semi-dry or sparkling rosés are preferred.

Recommended rosé wines : Champagne roséRosé Crémant, Sweet Rosé from the Southwest
Temperature 6-8°C

Perfect matches:

  • Strawberry or raspberry tart

  • Red Berry Panna Cotta

  • Melon or peach sorbet

  • Summer fruit salad

  • Fruit Tiramisu

  • Rose or raspberry macarons

As you've probably gathered, rosé is a wine to be enjoyed in any season and pairs well with many dishes. You now have all the tips and tricks to impress your guests and offer extraordinary food and rosé pairings. The entire team at cavissima obviously wishes you a very nice tasting !

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