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!
