3 characteristics you should know about rosé wine

Wine has always been a great favorite on the Chilean table and, with each passing year, it gains more popularity. In Chile in particular, wine consumption registered an increase of 15 to 20 liters per capita during the pandemic, with a special predilection for low-alcohol varieties such as rosé wine.

As rosé wines become popular and find space in our homes, it becomes more important to be clear about their attributes in order to serve them correctly and take full advantage of their qualities. Since its qualities make it a unique option among Chilean wines, read on to discover three characteristics of rosé wine so you can enjoy it to the fullest.

3 fundamental characteristics of rosé wine

To guarantee a good experience when enjoying a rosé wine, consider these three aspects:

Elaboration process

Rosé or rosé wine is obtained from the same red grapes with which red wine is made. However, because they have a shorter period of contact with the skins of these grapes than the red, these varieties develop their characteristic pink color. In this sense, there are two common forms of maceration:

  • Pressing: the grapes, totally clean, are crushed until the necessary grape must be obtained. This allows the creation of a rosé wine with light tones.
  • Saignée: the grapes are placed in a tank (vat) together with the skins (skin, seeds and stems). After a variable time, the must settle and is extracted from the lower part of the tank. This mixture gives rise to darker tones.

In turn, fermentation requires a period of 7-14 days. Because of this, you can consider that the beautiful pink color is not obtained from pink grapes, but from red grapes that go through a particular maceration process.

Operating temperature

The Rosé corresponds to a rather low service temperature, between 8-12 Cº. For this reason, this type of wine is ideal to enjoy on hot afternoons or summer days, thanks to its refreshing temperature.

So that it does not rise too much in temperature or lose its properties due to excessive aeration, you must avoid leaving the rosé wine open or in its glass for too long. For the same reason, if the outside temperature is very high, it is preferable that you serve less in the glasses, to prevent it from warming up during consumption.

Pairing

The Pinot Noir Rosé has an alcohol level of 12%, which implies a young and versatile character. Due to its balance, it works perfectly as an aperitif or as a complement to:

  • Fish and shellfish: Fruity flavors accentuate dishes like sushi, shrimp and salmon.
  • Pasta and salads: acidity refreshes the complexity of preparations related to rice or fettuccine.
  • Meats: the vibrant aroma creates a powerful contrast with the flavor of grilled meat, especially sausages and red meats.
  • Desserts and fruits: rosé wine enhances the sweetness coming from cakes, ice creams, creams, chocolates, nuts, among other delicacies.

As you can see, rosé wine is a drink with an enormous capacity to adapt to any context. Therefore, you only need to pay attention to these tips to enjoy your unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Get to know Pinot Noir Rosé from Cono Sur

Due to its red fruit notes and balanced acidity, Pinot Noir Rosé is a perfect example among Chilean wines of a fresh and versatile rosé. Enter Cono Sur, discover more about our Pinot Noir Rosé and find the wine you are looking for.