Rosé Wine Pairings: What to Eat With Rosé Wine

When you ask someone about wine pairings, a common answer is “wine and cheese”. The sweet with the salty. The sharp with the fatty. It’s a centuries-old pairing that is extremely popular.

However, there is much more to pairing wines with food than just cheese. When it comes to a nice glass of rose wine, there are several great food pairings that can unlock tastes and experiences that your mouth will be thanking you for.

Wine is so much more than just an alcoholic beverage made from grapes. There are undertones and hints of different flavours that create an experience as you sip on your glass. Winemaking is such an intricate process that creates such delicate flavours.

Rosé pairings favour savoury and salty foods with sweet wine. If you’re looking for some great pairings, you’ve come to the right place.

Rosé: What Is It?

Known for its pretty pink colouring and refreshing taste on a hot summer day, rosé wine is a fairly popular genre of wine. When served in a chilled glass, this drink will cool you down and transport you to a tropical resort.

Rosés are made from any blend of red grade and can be both sweet and dry, depending on the blend of grapes. Many winemakers recommend that rosé wines are served chilled to get the best taste.

Why Is It Pink?

It’s a common myth that says that rosé is made by combining red and white wines together to create a pink-coloured beverage. However, the real secret to the pretty colouring is a bit more intricate.

The wine gets its popular pink colouring from the grape skins used while making the wine. When the juice and the skin are left to macerate for a few hours, the drink turns the light pink colour. Then, the winemakers remove the skins and leave the juice to ferment.

Types of Rosé Wines

While many people know rosé to be quite sweet, you can also find rosés that are quite dry or bitter. Dry wine is known for being less sweet and will often have slightly different food pairing options.

Whether you like your sugary or a dry rosé there are bottles for everyone. There are a few popular types of rosé that can act as an introduction to this genre of wine.

Sweet Rosé Wines

  • White Zinfandel
  • White merlot
  • Pink Moscato

Dry Rosé Wines

  • Carignan
  • Cinsault
  • Pinot Noir
  • Grenache

Rosé Wine Pairings

Now that you know a bit more about rosé, how it’s made, and its flavour, we can take a better look at the different dishes and recipes that pair nicely with a bottle of rosé. Pairings help bring out the full flavour of both the wine and the food that it’s paired with.

You’ll want to consider the different flavour profiles of the food and the spices, sauces, or dressings that are used. Switching things up can change the food pairings and bring a whole new experience.

Because rosé is known for its sweeter taste, many of the pairings will be salty or savoury in order to combat the sweetness and acidity of the wine.

Some Starters

If you’re going out for some drinks and appetizers, there are some great starters that you can pair with your chilled wine beverage. Your light appetizers should be paired with lighter styles of rosé. Appetizers that use olives, anchovies, or other salty foods are your best bet.

A particularly great pairing is a creamy cheese like brie with rosé. A simple spread of cheeses, dips, and salty nuts is another great option to consider. You may also try a goat cheese salad with some olive oil dressing to go with your drink.

These pairs will be the perfect addition to your summer picnic.

The Main Course

Next up on the list is the main course. The main dish is the heart of the meal and is going to be where a lot of the flavour lies. Now maybe you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to find a nice food pairing with your takeout. Whatever the reason, there are some great main dishes that can pair perfectly with your rosé wines.

Seafood

When thinking about the type of meat that you want to serve with your glass of rosé, you should lean towards grilled seafood like salmon, shrimp, tuna, lobster, and other types of seafood. The flavour profile of a dish like grilled salmon is a great choice for your summer dinner and will provide a delightful taste experience.

Other Meats

If seafood isn’t your thing, you might also try some grilled sausage, grilled chicken, or some lamb. A grilled dish gives you a smoky flavour that will harmonize with the sweetness of the rosés. While full-bodied wines like red wine often mask the delicate taste of lamb, a light rosé will complement the meat nicely.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options

For vegans and vegetarians, you might try a vegan/vegetarian pizza when pairing your meal with rosé. Other summertime favourites include BBQ vegetables like peppers, corn, eggplant, zucchini, and onions. If you like spicy food, be sure to season the veggies with a range of pepper spices to add to the flavour experience.

Desserts

Everyone knows that the dessert is the best part of the meal. Want to make your dessert experience even better? Pair your glass with some dark chocolate, lemon bars, cheesecake, or some rich truffle. All of these rich, creamy flavours will pair nicely with a sweeter or sparkling rosé.

If you have a dry wine, you might consider some fruit tart or pudding to complement the drier wine.

All of these food pairings create the perfect recipe for a beautiful meal to enjoy in the summer.

The Hare Wine Co.

Want to find your next bottle of rosé? Check out our online shop and view our selection of rosés, red wine, and white wine, each with its specific flavour profile. You’ll be amazed at the different tastes and flavours you can experience in a bottle of wine.

Interested in food pairings for white or red wine? Check out our other pairings and recipes for any at-home cook!

White Wine Pairings: White Wine & Food Pairing Guide

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a romantic dinner with your significant other and toasting to your love or having your friends over and toasting to your friendship and accomplishments with a delicious, smooth white wine from your favourite local vineyard. But what makes the experience even better? A meal that pairs perfectly with your white wine. Whether you’re craving seafood, finger foods or grilled meats, there are various types of white wines that will take your night out or night in to the next level.

Do You Know The Differences Between Bodies Of Wine?

Knowing the difference between light body, medium body and full body is important when it comes to pairing food and wine for a couple of different reasons. Plus, it makes you appreciate the beautiful glass of wine in your hands even more. Understanding and appreciating the notes in each body is a hobby and an art, and most importantly, what makes it so darn delicious with certain food.

Light-Bodied Wine

Lighter-bodied wine is seen as more of a “delicate” drink. It’s also referred to as “light” because it contains the lowest amount of alcohol content (12.5% or less) which is why people find it easier to drink. When browsing for a light wine, search for sweet Riesling, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

Pairing options: seafood, chicken, salad, pasta, fried foods, more fatty dishes

Medium-Bodied Wine

Medium-bodied wines typically have an alcohol content of 12.5% to 13.5%. They give you a bit more fullness and make a great pairing for many dishes. Examples of this include dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris.

Pairing options: scallops, lobster, oysters, cheese, salad

Full-Bodied Wine

Full-bodied white wine has the highest alcohol content (13.5% or higher). They typically come from warmer climate areas like California, Spain, France or Italy and soak in oak barrels to give them that “heavier” taste. Look for bottles labelled oaked Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pairing options: meaty dishes, roasted chicken, pasta, breads

How Sparkling Wine Differs

Sparkling wines taste the same but have been fermented with a mixture of yeast and sugar which makes them bubbly and fizzy. Many people think that sparkling wine is champagne, but that’s not true. In order to determine classification, you have to look at where the wine was actually produced.

Did you know that Champagne only refers to the region it came from? Authentic Champagne is from a region in France; a mild climate where Champagne grapes thrive.

What Is Mulled White Wine?

Mulled white wine is a German delicacy. It’s spicy, smells absolutely delicious, and is a great drink to serve your friends and family during holiday dinners, specifically Thanksgiving or Christmas. The recipe is simple yet delicious and typically features:

  • Dry wines rather than rich or sweet wines (can be white or red wine)
  • Orange juice and orange slices
  • Sugar or honey
  • Lemon slices
  • White cloves
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cardamom
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice

Wine and Food Pairings

Matching food to the perfect wine pairing can be easier when you know the differences between each body of white wine. Now that you understand the differences, we can get into the best food and wine pairing menus that blow your taste buds away. Just remember that these are examples of contrasting pairings and nothing is set in stone. Everyone has their own preferences and that’s exactly what makes testing different white wines out so fun!

Roasted or Grilled Chicken with Chardonnay

Roasting or grilling chicken is a great way to incorporate different spices that pair exquisitely with oaked Chardonnay. Especially lemon, basil, oregano, garlic and parsley. Food with higher acidity that makes your mouth salivate can make sipping on a high alcohol wine that much more satisfying!

Don’t feel like chicken? Opt for a soup with similar spices, like a white bean-based recipe.

Spicy Foods with Riesling

Because Riesling is a little more rich than dry, it makes a great pair for spicy food to take away some of the heat. Plus, spicy dishes such as Indian food, for example, are known for having heavier creams in the sauces, so having a lighter wine may not make you feel as heavy/full afterwards.

Red Meats with Pinot Grigio

Many people automatically assume they should pair their steak with a glass of red wine, but white wines pair just as well! The natural acidity of the wine will accentuate the rich flavours of the red meat even further. Game meats will work perfectly as well such as venison or bison.

Charcuterie Board with Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is another light, sweet white wine that can pair with practically any type of cheese, which is great if you’re just nibbling on a charcuterie board. Whether it’s aged cheddar, gouda, blue cheese or goat cheese, the pairing won’t disappoint you. Some of the spices in the meats will also counteract the sweetness and acidity of the wine perfectly.

Pairing Wine and Food Is Totally Up To You

While this is just a guide to go off of, it gives you a good idea of what flavours pair better with each other, however, everyone’s palate is different and what you choose to pair together is never wrong. If you’re still stuck searching for that perfect bottle of white wine, shop with The Hare Wine Co. today. We craft every bottle with you in mind.

Red Wine Pairings: What To Eat With Red Wine

For every bottle of red wine, there is a perfect food pairing. While there’s no strict rule as to what you should eat with your favourite red wine, especially because everyone has different palettes and preferences, there are certain reasons why wine connoisseurs make specific food and wine pairing suggestions.

If you’re new to the world of developing your wine palette, that’s okay! Half the fun is understanding what notes to look for, learning what the different bodies of wine are, and what flavours best match its notes.

The Meanings Behind The Different Bodies of Red Wine

Have you ever been sent to the liquor store with instructions to “buy red wine” but you aren’t sure what kind to get? Surely there has to be certain meanings behind each kind.
We’re here to tell you that yes, each kind is completely different. Below, we’ll go over the differences (in alphabetical order) between the types of red wines so you’ll never have to feel confused about which kind to buy again.

Baco Noir (Full-Bodied)

These types of grapes do well in a cooler climate, therefore, they thrive in Ontario (though they originated in France). They’re known for being very flavourful with earthy and spicy notes which is why they’re used to create drier red wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon (Full-Bodied)

These types of grapes thrive in both humid and cooler environments. They’re the most common type of grape that mainly come from places like Napa Valley, Australia, and the Niagara Region. They’re a little more fruity, acidic, and a deeper colour of red.

Cabernet Franc (Medium-Bodied)

If you’re looking for a unique combination, you’ll love this type of red wine that’s popularly found in Niagara. It’s often mixed with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and then aged in oak barrels. The oak barrels bring out the unique flavours even more and provide a more “dry” structure to the wine.

Merlot (Full-Bodied)

This is another very popular type of grape because of its ease to mix with others and to try drinking for beginners. It’s often soft, smooth, sweet, and makes a great math for any dish or dessert.

Malbec (Full-Bodied)

Malbec grapes are most famously known for growing in Argentina even though they originated in France. Because of these grapes being darker and thicker skinned, their sweetness and fruity flavours create a less-dry red wine.

Pinot Noir (Light-Bodied)

Known as one of the lighter reds, Pinot Noir wine is fruity, smoothy, and much like Merlot, it can make the perfect match for any dish or dessert. But did you know that Pinot Noir grapes are the hardest to grow? Because of their thin skin, they’re more susceptible to being damaged by temperatures or by themselves since they grow tightly together.

Zinfandel (Full-Bodied)

Zinfandel is largely grown in the United States in more humid climates like Napa Valley and Lodi. It makes for a very fruity red wine but on the other hand, has subtle flavours of licorice and tobacco. It’s another wine that’s very easy to drink, making it the perfect pairing for most dishes.

Note: Full, medium and light-bodied refers to the alcohol content. The fuller the body of wine, the higher alcohol content it contains (more than 13.5%). The lighter the body of wine, the lower the alcohol content (less than 12.5%).

The Best Food & Red Wine Pairings

Nothing pairs together more perfectly than wine and food, especially after you’ve had a long day or you haven’t spent a night out (or in) with your friends in a long time. But how do you decide what to order with your glass of wine? Remember, the choice is completely up to you and your specific preferences, but here are the best wine and food pairings strictly based on the types of notes the red wine contains.

Hearty Dishes

Red meat, whether it be land, grilled steak, or burgers, make a great match for Cabernet Sauvignon. This type of full-bodied red wine has strong, deep and fruity flavours, so pairing it with equally strong meat flavours will make for a delicious dinner you won’t soon forget. The meat can also dial down the acidity and sweetness of the wine if that’s what you desire.

If you’re opting for a hearty stew such as beef bourguignon, for example, Merlot is a great wine pairing to bring out the soft flavours of both the dish and the wine. It also isn’t a heavy wine, meaning it’s easy to drink it with heavier, meatier dishes.

Fish Dishes

Most people think that fish only pairs well with white wine, but that’s not true. Most red wines actually make a great wine and food pairing, particularly if it’s a sweet red wine. For example, if you’re having salmon, Zinfandel or Merlot can both complement and tone down the fishy taste as they aren’t as dry. For white fish pairings or even pasta dishes with lobster or shrimp, choose a wine with higher acidity to balance with the tomatoes.

Vegetarian Dishes

The secret for vegetable and wine pairing? Earthy wines make the perfect pairing for earthy vegetables. For example, mushrooms, butternut squash, kale, turnips, carrots, onions, etc.

Extra tip: If you’re craving spicy, vegetarian stews, bold red wine can often intensify the spice even further, so you may prefer pairing it with a softer, sweeter red wine like Malbec or Pinot Noir.

Cheese

Red wine and cheese pairings are classic, delicious, and a simple party pleaser. Like with the other foods above, it’s best to pair heavy cheese with heavy wine, light cheese with light wine, and dry/aged cheese with dry wine.

Examples: Cabernet Franc and goat cheese, Pinot Noir with gruyere, and Cabernet Sauvignon with aged cheddar.

Looking For The Perfect Bottle Of Red Wine?

When it comes to pairing wine with food, our professionals here at The Hare Wine Co. can help you find the best bottle of wine for your needs. No matter what your taste buds are craving (sweet, bold, fruity or earthy) we carry a variety of 100% VQA Ontario wines that are handcrafted with you in mind. We make pairing wine and food easy. Stop by our vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake where you can taste test our wines in a beautiful and relaxing private room or on our patio that overlooks Niagara’s famous wine country.

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