Rosé wine

More about Rosé Wine

Rosé deserves better than its reputation as an afterthought — here are a few quick answers to the questions we hear most.

What is rosé wine and how is it made?

Rosé gets its colour from brief contact with red grape skins — anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days — before the juice is drawn off and fermented like a white wine. Less skin contact gives the pale, Provence-style pink; longer contact produces deeper, more structured rosés.

What are the main styles of rosé?

Provence rosé is famously pale, dry and delicate; Tavel and southern Rhône styles are deeper-coloured and more textured; Spanish rosado (often Garnacha) tends to be fruitier and bolder; and rosé made from Pinot Noir in Burgundy or Alsace can be remarkably fine and age-worthy.

How many calories are in a glass of rosé?

A standard 175ml glass of dry rosé comes to around 120–140 calories — similar to a light white wine, and generally lighter than a glass of red.

How long does rosé last once opened?

Reseal and refrigerate, and a dry rosé will hold its freshness for three to five days, much like a white wine.

How should rosé be served and stored?

Serve well chilled, around 8–10°C, and store bottles the same way as white wine — somewhere cool and dark, away from light, until you're ready to open them.