Rosé wine
Producing a well-balanced rosé is the culmination of a delicate process, with mastery of the production stages essential to obtaining a wine that is both fruity and aromatic, but without tannin. It's this balance that makes today's rosé wines so successful, wines whose production predates that of red and white wines. Parcel selection is one of the keys to the success of a rosé cru.
When the harvest arrives in the cellar, the grapes are de-stemmed, i.e. removed from their stalks. They are then crushed, i.e. lightly crushed to release the juice.
Two options are then available: maceration (or bleeding) and direct pressing, the latter technique being increasingly used for modern rosés.
For maceration, the must obtained from crushing and de-stemming - a combination of solid and liquid elements - is placed in vats. The vatting time lasts just a few hours at low temperature. It's mastery of this maceration period that makes it possible to obtain a wine with character, without taking on the tannins that characterize red wine, which are derived from the same grape varieties. The pigments in the grape skin give the juice its pinkish hue. The juice is then recovered by pressing or by the use of so-called "technical" vats, enabling the liquid part of the must to be extracted in large quantities. Rosé wines produced by maceration have a deep color.
Direct pressing is currently more in line with consumer tastes for lighter-colored, livelier wines. The bunches arriving in the cellar are de-stemmed and then passed directly to the press.
The juice obtained from either direct pressing or short maceration is then transferred to a settling tank for clarification. The particles in the juice fall to the bottom of the tank, and this "sludge" is separated from the juice. The juice then undergoes alcoholic fermentation. This is followed by a relatively short period of ageing, during which the clarified and stabilized wine undergoes a number of operations designed to confirm its qualities.
2. Red wine and white wine do not make rosé wine
The popular belief that rosé wine is a blend of red and white wine is now happily discarded by the vast majority of consumers. However, under pressure from certain industrialists, the European Union adopted a draft regulation allowing such blends to be called rosé wine, as is the practice in South Africa and Australia. Most of the European winegrowers concerned were vehemently opposed to such a solution, in order to preserve the quality and reputation of a wine whose quality they had been striving to improve for over ten years. It is clear that the "rosés" obtained in this way are nothing more than poor-quality products that can be used to sell off poor production thanks to this more festive presentation of the wine. Such regulations are no longer relevant.
It's interesting to note, however, that the major exception to this blending ban concerns Champagne wine. Chardonnay can be blended with Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier to produce rosé Champagne. However, the resulting blend goes through a new fermentation phase specific to Champagne, so that rosé Champagne is not a simple blend of finished products, but a wine with a specific production process.
3. Varieties, regions and famous rosé wines
The grape varieties used for rosé wines are the same as those used for red wine. It has been shown that the rosé color of wine does not come from a particular type of grape, but from its treatment in the winery. In the great rosé region of Provence, however, Tibouren, Carigan, Grenache noir, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre are used in particular.
Three quarters of France's rosé production is concentrated in the Provence region, with flagship appellations such as Bandol and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. Certain estates, such as Château d'Esclans, Château Pibarnon, Domaine d'Ott and Château Bellet, make this region particularly shine.
Corsica also offers top-quality rosé wines. Less well-known for this color, other major French wine-growing regions offer appellation rosé wines of outstanding quality. These include the Bordeaux region, the Loire Valley with Anjou, and the Rhône Valley with Tavel.
4. Rosé wine and pairings
Rosé is an often festive wine that can be drunk chilled as an aperitif or with hot or cold starters. It also goes well with the main course or grilled meats. However, some more complex rosés can be paired with fish such as red mullet, or more elaborate dishes.
Buy the best rosé wines in private sale!
Free on your 1st order*.
Rosé wine recently presented in private sale on 1jour1vin
Domaine des Cassagnoles - Floc de Gascogne rosé
Notes : Hachette 2*Coup de Coeur
"A brilliant ruby-red color with purplish tints, bright aromas of red berries, flowers and undergrowth: an engaging start. No disappointment on the palate: velvety, tasty, full of fruit, crisp and with an insolent freshness. A juicy Floc that retains a formidable sapidity". (Le Guide Hachette 2025) - Screw-cap - Try it in a Floc-Groni cocktail!
Domaine Alexandre Bonnet - Rosé des Riceys La Fôret 2021
Notes : Decanter 93/100, James Suckling 90/100, Jancis Robinson 16,5/20
This colorful, powerful maceration rosé is a paradox of strength and finesse. From a unique and prestigious Champagne production, this still wine will delight connoisseurs and surprise the most curious.
Domaine de la Mordorée - Tavel La Dame Rousse rosé 2023
4.4/5 (5 reviews)
Notes: Jeb Dunnuck 94/100
"Purer raspberry, minty flowers and chalky minerality define the aromas of Tavel La Dame Rousse 2023, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, with a pure, structured and seamless palate, impeccable overall balance and an excellent finish. The blend is 60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault and Syrah, and the rest Clairette, from a mix of three terroirs: pebbles, limestone and sand." (Jeb Dunnuck 2024)
La Font des Pères - Bandol rosé 2023
Notes : Jancis Robinson 16.5/20, A. Larsson 92/100, Bettane & Desseauve 90/100
A fresh, gastronomic rosé, with a nose of raspberry and pomelo enhanced by a herbaceous edge. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, with citrus fruit and pomelo, a light vanilla note, fresh, carried by lovely acidity and a saline finish enhanced by warm spices. In short, a rosé for sharing, capable of accompanying aperitifs or Asian dishes, with good ageing potential.
Domaine Castellu di Baricci - Sartène Rosé 2023
Notes : RVF 91/100
"Mainly Grenache-based, very pale rosé with a fine, fresh profile, hints of citrus fruit and white pepper. We appreciate its acidic character and purity, a light, thirst-quenching rosé that makes perfect sense as an aperitif and, of course, as an accompaniment to fish or grilled white meats in all their forms. Drink within three years". (Le Guide RVF 2025)
Jasci - Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2023
3/5 (2 reviews)
A delicate blend, this Cerasuolo 2023 has a superb cherry-red color with purplish highlights. On the nose, it reveals itself with precision and delicacy, releasing aromas of cherry and strawberry. On the palate, its fresh, crisp attack will seduce you, revealing luscious aromas of red fruits, preceding an elegant finish.
Château d'Aqueria - Tavel 2023
Notes : Hachette 1*Étoile, Wine Enthusiast 93/100, Jancis Robinson 16,5/20, Bettane & Desseauve 92/100, Jeb Dunnuck 91/100, Robert Parker 90/100
Let yourself be seduced by the 2023 vintage of Château d'Aqueria's Tavel. This great rosé, made from six black and white grape varieties, is the perfect balance between freshness and maturity, offering a generous aromatic palette.
Domaine De Peretti della Rocca - Figari Jules rosé 2023
So much elegance for cuvée Jules rosé! A luminous, pale pink color accompanies an explosive nose of red berries combined with hints of English candy. The palate is fruity, with a hint of acidity and a rich texture. Brilliant purity, a gourmet profile and an invigorating finish!
Château Bas - Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence rosé 2023
3/5 (1 review)
Notes : Le Figaro 91/100
There's a lot going on when you dip your lips in this beautiful Provence rosé: aromas of raspberry, rosemary, pomelo, citrus fruit and more. A rosé that awakens the taste buds!
Château Saint-Hilaire - Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence rosé 2023
4/5 (1 review)
The nose oscillates between white flowers and gourmet notes of tart candy. On the palate, this Provence rosé is fresh, salivating and very elegant. Serve chilled as an aperitif!