Rosé Literally All Day, Even in the Winter
It used to be that rosé wine was just a drink for girls with an affinity for the color pink. An exclusive summertime beverage to coincide with the white clothing that’s only allowed to be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It was only known as good when it came in a sleek bottle from the Mediterranean appellation of Provence.
Luckily however, a new era has begun. A time when rosé wine can be enjoyed not just by fancy bougie women sitting poolside in the Hamptons with their teacup-sized puppy beside them, but year round by average Joes, bros, and even with Thanksgiving dinner.
Rosé wine is one of the most popular categories in the world of wine today, but it is also one of the most grossly misunderstood.
Here are some common misconceptions about that delightfully pink-hued beverage:
Sunset through a chilled glass of rosé overlooking the Manhattan skyline from the River Café in Brooklyn
All rosé wine is sweet. Don’t let the color fool you! Just like women, all things clad in the color pink are not necessarily all sweet, adorable and full of everything nice. Rosé is a legitimate serious wine category — meaning it comes in all forms, from dry to sweet, simple to complex, light and zesty, to dark and spicy. So while you will inevitably find some sweet cloying rosés out there, you will also find some excellent crisp and tart rosés too.
Rosé wine is super simple and never complex. See above about rosé being a serious wine category. ‘Nuff said.
Not a single rosé in the world exists that is good to pair with meat and/or a hearty meal. There are myriad of complex rosés out there made from some of the most beloved indigenous grapes of the world. Just because the color might be light, doesn’t mean the wine tastes like water. Think of the famed Nebbiolo, for example. Just because it’s not tick and inky like it’s California Cabernet brethren does not mean it’s not a hearty meal food-friendly wine. Just try a Sangiovese-based rosé if you don’t believe me. (While you’re drinking it you can remind yourself of the old adage to not judge a book by its cover.)
Rosé wine can only be enjoyed in the summer. While rosé wine is positively delightful on the open ocean with a nice sea breeze in your hair, if you still think rosé is only a summer wine then you haven’t been paying attention and you need to reread the above.
Rosé is for girls only. Leave the “boys keep out” signs for the elementary school tree houses and your sad pillow forts. Other things (besides rosé) that only girls enjoy: running the world, being CEO of a hedge fund, dominating in a Tough Mudder race, etc. If you think those things are for girls only and you don’t get the ridiculousness of that statement then maybe you don’t deserve to drink rosé anyway.
