29th May 2020 | Pairings & Recipes | 5 minute read
Although rosé is a fantastic wine to enjoy all year round, there’s just something about the summer that feels like the perfect setting for a nice chilled glass of blush. And with so many different styles of rosé around these days, you can pair it with all sorts of summer dishes, from light crunchy salads to big meaty BBQ feasts!
Like with any other type of wine, the key to getting your pairing spot on is looking at the style of rosé. Depending on where in the world your bottle is from, the wine can range from light, dry and acidic to sweeter, juicy and fruity (the latter being the style most people think of when they think of pink wine). A few handy tips on what to look for on the label will help you decide what to buy for your summer wine rack.
Climate is one of the biggest influences on any wine. When it comes to rosé, certain styles will be typical of certain regions, so looking at where the wine was made is a good first step in choosing the best bottle for the occasion. Cooler regions in France generally produce a lighter style of rosé with higher acidity, and are more likely to have floral and citrus nuances. While hotter regions like California or parts of Spain will be pinker in colour and bolder in style with tannins and strong red fruit flavours.
The grape variety you opt for will also hugely influence the style of rosé in the bottle. While red fruit flavours may be the common factor, some grapes will provide a more complex palate than others – and it is particularly noticeable just how much grape types vary when comparing rosés from the same country. A French Cinsault, for example, will be light and delicate enough to have lovely floral aromas, while a Mourvèdre grown in Rhône will display tart fruit flavours with a smoky edge.
The final consideration is if the wine has had oak contact, as this will impart toasty, nutty flavours and give the wine more savoury nuances. If this sounds like your kind of thing, look for ‘Barrel/Barrique Aged’ on the label.
We’ve put together some of our favourite rosé wine and food pairings for you. From light and elegant dish and wine pairings to big, bold, flavoursome matches, there’s a little something for everyone!
Usually a Grenache or Mourvèdre blend, rosés from the famous Provence region are typically light and bright with citrus and tart fruit flavours. Following the key wine and food pairing house rule of matching light styles with light dishes, Provence rosés are ideal with mild fresh cheese and crunchy green salads.
Being a more acidic style of rosé, these French wines complement the acidity found in tomatoes very well, and are also vibrant enough to cut through the fat of the creamy feta or goat cheese. For the same reason, they also work wonderfully well with creamy avocado.
For the quintessential French Riviera dining experience at home, we’d recommend the Cuvée de L’Aubade Côtes de Provence 2019.
Really, any rice or pasta dish will work here – it’s the seafood and flavourings that make this a dream pairing. Following another key wine and food pairing house rule (that food and drink from the same country will have flavours that complement each other), we’ve matched a classic Spanish paella with Spain’s own take on rosé wine.
Made from Garnacha or Tempranillo in regions such as Rioja, Rosado is known for being mouth-wateringly moreish and fruity! When paired with shellfish, its gentle red berry notes and aromas enhance the salty seafood flavours, making it a truly irresistible match. Rosado also goes fantastically with other ingredients you’d find in a traditional paella, such as lemon and chorizo.
So, for a taste of Spanish cuisine at its finest, we’d recommend cracking open a bottle of X Marks The Spot Tempranillo Rosado 2017 with your seafood dish.
Whether it’s a chicken or veggie one, a Pad Thai is always rich and vibrant with zesty flavours and contrasting textures from the peanut-topped noodles. The crunchiness of the nuts, along with the crisp lime flavours, make it a terrific match with a lighter, more acidic rosé wine. Which is why we look to cooler climate wine regions for this pairing, such as Lombardy or Veneto in northern Italy.
Typically made from Italian grape varietals, Italy’s answer to pink wine makes for ideal summer drinking. Rosato made from grapes like Sangiovese or Corvina tends to display notes of citrus and spice, making it absolutely perfect for pairing with mildly spicy, citrus-flavoured Thai food. The cooler climate of northern Italy ensures the acidity in the wine will be high, resulting in refreshing pink wine with a nice crisp texture that really complements a dish with nuts and crunchy vegetables.
For a blush wine with heaps of zippy freshness for your Pad Thai, we’d suggest the Ca’ Vegar Bardolino DOC Chiaretto Classico 2018.
If influenced by Champagne in any way, a pink sparkling wine will be Pinot Noir based, bringing flavours of strawberry and cherry. The pronounced red berry and fruity notes are a beautiful match for smoky meats and barbecue glaze, adding a subtle touch of sweetness that complements the delicious flavours of the food very nicely.
Being a dry (or ‘brut’) fizzy wine, the crisp texture and high acidity is a great match for greasy barbecued food as it cuts through the fat, leaving the palate feeling refreshed.
And don’t be afraid to pair this style of rosé with everything you’ve chucked on the BBQ – even red meat! If the rosé is bold enough to not be overwhelmed by big flavours, then we say go for it. Lamb skewers are particularly tasty with a glass of dry pink sparkling wine!
For a blush bubbly that ticks all the boxes, we’d recommend the brilliant Salton Brut Rose NV from Brazil’s Serra Gaúcha region.
