Why India + rosé can be a winner. Irrespective of the season.

I know you must be thinking, “Winter is coming. Why post an article on rosé now?” Surely this is the time for the big reds, or even some toasty mulled wine?

It’s just to prove a simple point: rosé wine is not just a summer sip.

Rosé wine, that pretty pink refreshing summer wine is finally getting its moment in the sun, so to speak. Literally so, because summer is the time when people all over the world reach for sunblocks, flip-flops and bottles of rosé. Judging by the stacked shelves in shades of pink in European and US supermarkets and wine stores, rosé (ro-say) is a­ firm favourite and isn’t likely to lose momentum anytime soon.

Worldwide, sales of rosé are going up. And it is not just about summer sales. Rosé wines are now on top restaurant wine lists and being acknowledged as a sommelier’s delight when it comes to tricky pairings (like with Indian food).

Rosé is dry, usually fruit-forward, crisp and delightfully food-friendly, pairing nicely with everything from pizzas to kebabs. But rarely considered a ‘serious’ wine. IT was only in 2016? that Brangelina’s famous Miraval rosé was the first rosé ever to enter the Wine Spectator Top 100 list of wines. And despite its own impeccable credentials, it is likely that the Brangelina name has played a role in its popularity.

Even in Europe and the US, where rosé is finally being glugged by the gallon when the mercury rises, it is because of its refreshing summer sip profile. Vine Pair, in a recent article, called it “popular and ubiquitous, the Gigi Hadid of beverages.” ‘Nuff said.

Celeb love

Celebrities dabbling in winemaking are making a beeline for rosé too. Following closely in Brangelina’s footsteps is Jon Bon Jovi whose pink, delightfully named Diving into Hampton Water is made in collaboration with noted Languedoc wine producer Gerard Bertrand. Music star John Legend’s wine label LVE also recently launched a Côtes de Provence rosé. Once celebrities give their nod, you know pink is serious business. Understandable then, that there are some very highly rated rosés, like the pale salmon pinks from Provence, France (Domaines Ott being a well-known name) or Whispering Angel (now also available in India.) There are also well-made rosés coming out of Austria and Sicily.

Evidently, pink is in fashion (and we are not talking about millennial pink here).

Colour me pink

So how is rosé wine made?

Rosé gets its colour from contact with grape skins, in a process known as maceration or direct pressing – very lightly – which yields a light, pale pink wine. Another popular method is saignée, while in the case of some pinks, (such as in Champagne), the red and white is blended to make rosé.

Also, unlike red wines and a few whites, most rosés are not often oak-aged. This helps keep its fresh fruity easy-drinking profile.

Almost all top Indian wine producers have rosé as part of their portfolio. The Indian rosé is made to be drunk young. So don’t stash your bottle of rosé in the cellar!

50 Grapes of pink: Rosé can be made from a variety of different red wine grapes. Two of the most popular are Syrah (Shiraz) and Grenache. Others include Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah and lots more red varieties.

Food friendly, yet fun: When in doubt about food pairing, go with rosé, say many pros. While a glass of rosé makes an easy-drinking aperitif, it is notably food-friendly too. This is particularly true for tough-to-pair Asian cuisines. Rosés work well because of their very light tannins, neat acidity and fruity freshness. Try rosé with a malai tikka, Murgh Makhani or baingan bharta and see for yourself.

Ticks all the boxes

Why then does it lag in the popularity stakes in India? At the recently concluded ProWein Education Campaign seminar in Mumbai, Karan Vasani, chief winemaker, Sula Vineyards commented how white and rosé wines had yet to attain the popularity of red wines in India. This despite our hot Indian summers, where a glass of crisp rosé would be just the thing for a summer’s day.

Mysterious perhaps, but in India’s nascent wine culture, awareness of the many positives of rosé are not yet widely known. While doctors tout the benefits of drinking a glass of red wine for general heart health no one says go, try a rosé. Maybe they should.

As summers continue to get hotter, one thing is clear. The popularity of rosé is here to stay.

But if you are interested, here are a few still rosé wines available in India worth trying.

 

The Source by Sula Vineyards Rs 975, Mumbai, Bangalore

Fratelli M/S rosé Rs 1000, Bangalore & Mumbai; Rs 1170 Delhi

Grover Zampa Art Collection rosé Rs 735 Mumbai, Rs 640, Bangalore

Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap rosé, South Africa Rs2180

Torres Da Casta rosé, Spain Rs1990

(Verify current prices with your local retailer)