Is it acceptable to savour rosé wine, or does it lack sophistication?
The straightforward response is: absolutely, there’s nothing wrong with it. There can be an element of elitism amongst some wine connoisseurs when it comes to rosé wines. Associations may be made with the somewhat saccharine blush or white Californian Zinfandel, or Mateus Rosé, leading one to hastily generalise all rosé as lacking gravitas. Alternatively, it might be seen as too jolly and unpretentious, thus not thoroughly substantial. Also, there is the connotation of rosé being a sun-lovers wine, best enjoyed when icy cold beside a pool, on the beach or within a laid-back French café. Such imagery doesn’t exactly evince a multi-layered, sophisticated wine. Given our short British summers, this can restrict sales for most of the year.
However, let’s not underestimate rosé, and Provence rosé especially, which has witnessed an impressive triumph over the past one and a half decades. The US kickstarted its soaring popularity with a wine called Whispering Angel, which soon gained global traction. Over 157 million bottles of Provence rosé were produced in 2022 alone. Notably, Provence rosé, reputable brands in particular, comes with a heftier price tag, starting from €20 and ranging up to €100 per bottle. The success of rosé is likely causing a touch of the green-eyed monster amongst some red and white wine artisans.
The signature Provence rosé is incredibly pale with a light touch of summer fruits, zesty acidity, and a dry finale. There are also numerous other regions both in France and abroad that create exceptional rosé wines, with some offering excellent value.
Addressing your original query, rosé wines, whether from Provence or elsewhere, are fantastic casual accompaniments for any occasion, to be enjoyed with or without a food pairing. They are perfectly suited to a wide variety of dishes, from light bites and seafood, to barbecues and flavourful Asian cuisine. Yes, some rosé wine is fun and perhaps a tad light-hearted, but isn’t that part of its charm?