Main grapes for rosé wine

• Grenache : Produces juicy and bright rosés with strawberry notes and soft structure.
• Syrah : Adds spice, darker fruit and structure to the blend.
• Mourvèdre : Used in Provence and Bandol for more complex rosé wines with aging potential.
• Pinot Noir : Delicate and aromatic rosé with red berries and a light acidity profile, especially from Alsace, Germany and New Zealand.
• Sangiovese, Cinsault and Tempranillo : Regional grapes with different expressions, often in Italy and Spain.

Famous wine regions for rosé

• Provence (France) : World-famous for light, dry rosé with minerality and citrus notes.
• Loire Valley : Cabernet Franc-based rosés with freshness and green herbs on the nose.
• Navarra and Rioja (Spain) : Fruity, fuller rosé wines often made from Garnacha and Tempranillo.
• Italy : Including Chiaretto from Lake Garda and Negroamaro-based rosé wines from Puglia.
• USA and Australia : Modern rosés based on Pinot Noir and Syrah with high fruit intensity and balanced acidity.

Different vinification methods and climates produce very different styles of rosé, making the category both complex and versatile.

Style and use

Rosé wine covers a wide stylistic spectrum – from super-dry, almost mineral wine to more fruity and semi-dry styles. The lower tannic acid and moderate alcohol make rosé a popular wine in the summer months, but the quality in many areas makes it also suitable for food all year round.

Rosé pairs well with everything from salads, grilled vegetables and seafood to charcuterie and Asian-inspired dishes. The best examples can even be aged and develop more complexity over 2–5 years.

Frequently asked questions about rosé wine