Rosé Wine Grapes

Rosé wine can be made from a host of grape varieties, and is often a blend of several. This, and the way that rosé wine is made – requiring more initial intervention than in red or white wines – means that the grape variety is often an overlooked part of its make-up. Most rosé wine is made by taking the juice of red grapes (with only brief contact with the skins, for some colour); another technique is the so-called ‘saignée’ method of ‘bleeding’ off some red wine early in its fermentation, before it has had chance to take on deep flavours or tannins. Both methods can harness a range of grape varieties, including white wines, hence why the grape variety tends not to be highlighted on labels. Among the most popular grape varieties for rosé production, though, are Grenache, Pinot Noir, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre.