Idea Lab

Your guide to the world of rosé as seen through hues of pink.

Here’s your rosé refresher. Rosé is pink from red grapes. Red grapes are white on the inside so the color comes from the red grape skins. The rosé tint is up to the winemaker. The taste depends on the red-grape blend – some grapes you know and some are unique to their country. Rosés are between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol.

Rosé Champagne and sparkling rosés are fun (even the fizz is pink). Be ahead of the trend with crisp, dry rosé and light to lightest pink! Or go deep for drama. Ready? Pick your pink.

Instructions: Select a pink shade. Find your wine and pairing.

50 Shades of Pink Lightest Pink
50 Shades of Pink Light Pink
50 Shades of Pink Medium Pink
50 Shades of Pink Pinker
50 Shades of Pink Pinkest

You Chose: Lightest Pink

Characteristics

Lightest rosé shines against a white background or next to that unscented candle lit on the table. It is almost white but not quite. Its taste is dry, fresh and clearly fruit-driven by its red grapes. Usually seriously dry, it depends on the grapes. Look to Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah from any region in the world.

Pairs With
Really dry wine is perfect with seafood. So go for scallops and shrimp. Celebrate how clever you are with your aperitif or tapas. These wines go with winter seafood, spring lamb and summer BBQ.

You Chose: Light Pink

Characteristics

One of the great things about rosé is the bottle shape, especially with light rosé colors. The taste is clearly raspberry red grapes but these bottles that are square, triangle, round and sexy are worth drinking (of course) and saving the bottle for sprigs of Provence lavender.

Pairs With
Seafood and fish reign but it can take a bit of sauce, yours or at a restaurant. Challenge your sommelier to propose rosé for all courses. Then take that thought home. There is nothing better than rosé in the kitchen. BTW sparkling rosé bubbles are good anytime, anywhere.

You Chose: Medium Pink

Characteristics

The beauty of this color is that it works with everything. The taste says delicious and the pour says "more, please." At the table, red berry fruits enhance pasta or chicken and pumps up that salad we all have (like it or not).

Pairs With
How chicken are you? This is good for chicken and fish. Until you have tasted rosé from Italian Sangiovese, Portuguese varieties or French Pinot Noir, you don’t know unique indigenous rosé. So pair your food with the country. It makes good sense and a good dinner.

You Chose: Pinker

Characteristics

There is nothing like a wine that pleases the palate and the photo. Is this the selfie rosé wine? Probably. Think bold and sometimes semi-sweet. Good color, good red berry taste and great aromas. What's not to like?

Pairs With
Until you know the grapes (each rosé taste depends on its grapes) this is your go-to-food category. Chefs at home: Buy two bottles and drink and cook to its taste. Restaurant: Just ask!

You Chose: Pinkest

Characteristics

Not red, not white but seriously rosé. Yes, its color and taste lean toward its red grape parents but don't we all? As a food-friendly pour, you can put that steak, ribs or fish on the BBQ. Dessert? Ask if it is sweet!

Pairs With
Bright rosé puts love on the table. It may be dry or sweet so check. These wines are often made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot so plan your dinner to please your palate.
Producers

Barton & Guestier Passeport Côtes de Provence

Barton & Guestier Passeport Côtes de Provence is made with grapes we bought locally and which are entirely vinified in the same ultra-modern cellars of the group’s estate, resulting in an extremely fruity and fresh Côtes de Provence. Classic and elegant, it is representative of the character and spirit of Côtes de Provence.

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50 Shades of Pink

2015 SAVED Rosé

At SAVED we celebrate the freedom of craft, our wines are homage to the creative spirit and a reflection of the best sub-appellations across California.

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Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé

This wine opens with bright strawberry and red cherry on the nose. It continues with notes of crème brûlée, Meyer lemon, and green apple.

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2016 Meiomi Rosé

Delightfully dry with vibrant acidity. Aromas of watermelon and orange peel compliment a lush mouthfeel with flavors of strawberry and cool minerality on the finish.

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With Wine Enthusiast, you have more than 1,000 possibilities from every continent. Click here to see them all.

With Wine Enthusiast, you have more than 1,000 possibilities from every continent. Click here to see them all.

With Wine Enthusiast, you have more than 1,000 possibilities from every continent. Click here to see them all.