Aurora Cellars Sheds Light on the Pink Star of Social Media

Rosé wines are refreshing, fruity, and enjoyed by millions around the globe every summer because they’re so thirst-quenching. A common misconception about rosé wines is that an even mixture of red and white wines gives them their unique pinkish color. The reality is rosé wines are their own wine genre. If you could use an introductory guide to rosé wines in the Lake Leelanau, MI area, Aurora Cellars has you covered. Below, we’ve shed some light on this popular “it” wine that is often the star of social media and celebrity gatherings, so you can impress others at the next mixer or wine tasting you attend.

What Is Rosé Wine? What Gives It That Unique Pink Color?

Rosé wines are similar to white wines in their wine making process. Made from any red grape variety, rosé wines get their unique pinkish hue during the fermentation process. To achieve the desired color, the juice must remain in contact with the grapes’ skin for a few hours to a few days during fermentation. Once it has reached the desired shade, the juice is removed. This is known as the Maceration Method, and it is the most common way rosé wine is made.

During the Saignee or Bled Method, some of the juice is removed to create a rosé wine, while the rest is left and allowed to become more concentrated for a more intense flavor. The Blending Method occurs when a red wine is mixed with a white wine, although this is the least preferred method of creating a rosé wine. While consumers identify rosé wines as being pink, they can range in color from a pale orange or blush color to a bright magenta or purple.

How Do Rosé Wines Usually Taste vs. Other Wines?

Rosé wines can be made using a single grape variety or a blend of several for a unique taste profile. Depending on the type of grape used, rosé wines tend to be lighter and fruitier than most red wines. Common flavor notes include strawberries, cherries, raspberries, flowers, citrus fruits, melons, and celery. While most people associate rosé wines with being sweet, they can be dry, still, or sparkling too. The sweetest types of rosé wine include White Merlot, Pink Moscato, and White Zinfandel. Dryer rosé wines include Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. Some of the most common varieties of rosé wines include:

• White Zinfandel (Zinfandel Rosé) – Made from Zinfandel grapes, this is one of the most inexpensive varieties of rosé wine. This type of rosé wine is usually bright pink with tropical notes of pineapples or bananas, making it tart and extremely popular.
• Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé – This type of rosé wine is typically darker in color with a crisp, acidic taste with spicy notes of pepper, tobacco, or black currant.
• Tavel Rosé – Hailing from the Rhone Valley in France, Tavel rosé wines are usually described as being dry, spicy, and savory. They’re considered a more full-body rosé wine, closer to a red.
• Grenache Rosé – This ruby-colored rosé wine has a high acidity and notes of oranges, strawberries, and allspice.
• Provence Rosé – Provence, France produces some of the best rosé wines in the world. Provence rosé wines are usually light pink with a dry, crisp taste with aromas of strawberries, rosé petals, or watermelons.
• Pinot Noir Rosé – Pinot Noir rosé wines are crispy, dry, and earthy. They tend to be pinker than Provence rosé wines, although their notes are similar. Strawberries, watermelons, and raspberries are their common fruit flavors. Aurora Cellars offers this type of rosé for tastings and to take home.
• Syrah Rosé – This type of rosé wine has high tannins, making it bolder and dryer in taste. Syrah rosé wine is typically a rich ruby color with notes of plums, cherries, strawberries, and spices.

What Foods and Cheeses Pair Well With Rosé Wines?

Rosé wines pair well with many things, but especially duck, salmon, lamb, pastas, charcuteries, fruits, pastries, seafoods, salads, and soft cheeses such as brie, feta, or goat cheese. The fuller-bodied varieties are delicious with spicy foods, such as chilis, curries, or barbecue cuisine.

Are Rosé Wines Just the New Trend in Wine Drinking?

Although rosé wine seems to be the current trend for picnics, rooftop parties, and casual summer get-togethers, you might be surprised to learn rosé wines have been around a long time (several centuries, in fact). The most popular time to drink sweet rosé wine is from late spring to early fall, although there’s never a wrong time or place to enjoy a glass if you’re drinking responsibly. You’ll want to refrigerate your bottle of rosé before drinking it for the best flavor profile. Trust us-there’s nothing better than a chilled glass of rosé wine on a hot summer day.

Aurora Cellars: Home of the Best Rosé Wines in Michigan

Located in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula, Aurora Cellars is home to some of the best rosé wines in Michigan. Our award-winning red and rosé wines pair well with epicurean small plates in our European-styled tasting room. If you’re looking for a boutique winery renowned for producing exquisite small batches of wine, you’ve come to the right place. Join our Wine Club for exclusive discounts, free wine tastings, and other fun-filled perks. Contact us for more details or stop by our winery today. We hope to see you here soon!