If you looked at the wine scene in the 1990s, finding a good rosé was a challenge. The best-known rosé, white zinfandel, seemed to have infused a bad reputation on every other bottle on the shelf. It was cloyingly sweet and not considered a sophisticated sip.
In the last decade that has flipped. Rosé, thanks to pushes from younger drinkers, Instagram, and a variety of traditional media, is seeing a rebirth. Its sales are up 16% globally in the last year, and in 2013 the United States was the number two consumer of it in the world (74 million gallons). In 2012, this style accounted for 9% of all wine made that year. That is a whole lot of wine.
Rosé has become such a popular flavor that other areas of the liquor industry are getting into the game. With the light acidity and high fruity flavors for which rosé is best known, it makes a natural pairing with cider. Rhinegeist, Crispin, and Strongbow all have developed a rosé version of their cider. Not only do they emulate the color of the wine, but the flavor profile as well. Hangar One has developed a vodka blended with rosé, which will be a delight to drink during the summer.
While this is where I would normally dive into the history of this wine and how it is produced, I will allow the infographic done by my friends at Nowsourcing to do that work. Their infographic does a fantastic job, from how it is made to how to enjoy it. And that is on a patio with friends, in the most photogenic way possible.
If you are thirsting for more information on this style wine, Wine Folly does an even deeper dive into the style. The original source of this infographic, Sonoma-Cutrer, would also love to have you visit. Grab a glass of pink goodness, and we will see your exploration of the style on our Instagram feed!
