What is Rose?
Rose wine is made from blue grapes, sometimes in combination with white grapes. The wine gets its colour because the skins of the blue grapes remain in the juice (the must) for a shorter period than when making red wine. During traditional vinification, the grapes are crushed and the skins begin to release their colouring agent into the juice. Once the winemaker is satisfied with the colour, the grapes are gently pressed and the skins and juice are separated. Fermentation then continues. The longer the skins and juice are in contact, the darker the colour and the more powerful the flavour of the rosé becomes. The limited amount of tannin in rosé makes it fresh and light, but can still be drunk with a certain firmness.
Can red and white wine be mixed to make rosé?
It is generally forbidden to make a rosé wine by mixing red and white wine. This may give the colour of rosé, but never the fruity freshness that is so characteristic of rosé wine. Within the European Union, only in the Champagne region may red wine be mixed with white wine to make a rosé champagne.
How much alcohol does rosé contain?
There is approximately 10 percent alcohol in rosé wine.