The rosé revolution
Bringing the joy of #roséallyear to a new generation of wine drinkers
Not long ago, the sales window for rosé was as fleeting as a firework shot out of a Roman candle. Seen exclusively as a summertime selection, pink wines would vanish from liquor store shelves shortly after Labour Day.
Other than a few inexpensive white Zinfandels at the bottom of the California section’s shelves and a couple pricey rosé Champagnes in the sparkling wine section, these wines were near impossible to find from October to April.
Times have changed. When I was purchasing bottles recently for a wine appreciation class, an impressive array of rosés from France, Canada and elsewhere stood shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the holiday season selections. Larger stores and lcbo.com are even stocking magnum bottles (twice the size of a conventional bottle). Party planners, take note.
Saturday’s Vintages release counts two new dry rosé releases from Provence, France, as well as two rosé Champagnes as part of the final sales push of the year.
Wine marketers and merchandisers have clearly bought in on the #roséallday trend that’s broadcast via social media channels such as Instagram and Pinterest. It’s now become a case of #roséallyear.
Thanks to their refreshing character and fruity personality, rosé has won over a new generation of wine drinkers. The versatility of these wines makes them a natural to enjoy with a wide range of dishes, especially the traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings.
The best bottles can also effectively bridge the gap between white and red wine styles. They deliver the mouth-watering character of fresh and zesty wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc and the juicy red fruit flavours found in a host of popular red wines. They’re remarkably enjoyable even if you’re not sipping them poolside or on the patio.
So there’s a third colour option to consider as you make your holiday wine purchases this year: red, white and rosé.