Craft & Cork >> Winemaking

Nothing says summer like a chilled glass of rosé. Refreshing flavours, vibrant pink hues, and easy-drinking character: Rosé is the perfect sipper for warm-weather gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a summer wine cocktail party or relaxing with friends on the deck or dock and sipping on icy frosé, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best rosé wine for the occasion.

Know the basics of the many styles of rosé

Rosé wines come in a spectrum of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, so rest assured that there’s a pink for every palate. Here is a top-five list of the most popular types to keep in mind when planning your next winemaking project:

1. Provençal Rosé: It’s all about the paleness of this wine’s colour. Dry and crisp with notes of citrus, strawberry, and herbs, this wine style is the quintessential French rosé.
2. Grenache Rosé: Bright and fruity with flavours of watermelon, cherry, and spice, this fruit-forward wine is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
3. Syrah Rosé: Richer with dark berry and floral notes, this more structured rosé is perfect for pairing with grilled meats.
4. Sangiovese Rosé: Zesty with red berry and citrus flavours, this rosé offers lively acidity.
5. White Zinfandel: This sweeter, easy-drinking style of rosé is a favourite for fruity wine fans, and ideal for wine-cocktail making.

Best rosés for cocktail parties and casual get-togethers

Planning a wine-focused summer gathering? Choose rosé wine styles that are approachable, refreshing, and pair well with a wide array of foods and cuisines. Here are some solid options:

• The elegant rosés: Those pretty pink Provencal-style rosé wines are always a hit thanks to their light, crisp profile. Try serving them with your favourite charcuterie, goat cheese, and seafood.
• The fruity rosés: Fruity and smooth Grenache-based rosés are ideal if you want to mix your crowd a batch of refreshing wine spritzers.
• Pinot Noir Rosé: For those who love outdoor dining, these elegant rosés offer balanced acidity and delicate fruit flavours to complement your go-to summer dishes like grilled vegetables and fresh salads.
• Sangiovese Rosé: With more pronounced structure and fruit, this rosé style pairs beautifully with Mediterranean flavours and BBQ dishes.

Hosting tip: Serve your rosés at 7-13°C (45-55°F) for optimal flavour, so keep those bottles chilled. For an instagram-worthy touch, as frozen berries to that ice bucket!

The best rosé for frosé recipes

Who doesn’t love the latest frosé (frozen rosé) craze? For this ultimate summer treat, blend rosé wine with ice and fresh fruit for a slushy, refreshing cocktail. The best rosé for this should feature bold fruit flavours and good acidity to maintain balance after freezing.

Top picks for frosé:

• Grenache Rosé: Its vibrant red berry and watermelon notes translate beautifully in a frozen cocktail.
• Syrah Rosé: For those adult wine slushies, this rosé boasts a deeper flavour profile that stands out even when blended.
• Sangiovese Rosé: Bright acidity will keep your drink refreshing and prevent it from becoming too sweet.

Try these frosé recipes:

• Classic Strawberry Frosé
• Watermelon Frosé

Pro tip: Freeze your rosé in ice cube trays overnight for a thicker, smoother frosé that won’t get watered down.

Rosé is more than just a wine – it’s a summer state of mind. Whether you’re winemaking with upcoming backyard parties in mind or prepping for future lakeside, frosé-sipping moments, there’s a perfect pink wine style for every occasion. 

Check out these customer favourite rosé kits:

En Primeur Winery Series: Pinot Noir Rosé
Bursting with the aromas and flavours of strawberry jam, complemented by raspberries, rhubarb and floral notes. Juicy on the palate, it’s exquisitely balanced with a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel. https://rjscraftwinemaking.com/en-primeur-winery-series/pinot-noir-ros

Cru International: California White Zinfandel Style
This easy drinking, classically California style blush offers fresh floral notes on the nose and pleasing berry flavours with a soft, off-dry finish on the palate. https://rjscraftwinemaking.com/cru-international/california-white-zinfandel-style

Cru International: French Rosé Style
Made in the classic French rosé style, it is light bodied and pink in colour with spiced strawberry and crisp, citrus aromas. The palate features fresh strawberry flavours with a refreshing fruity finish. https://rjscraftwinemaking.com/cru-international/french-ros-style