The rosé wine market has grown exponentially over the past few years.
But let’s analyse this phenomenon together.
The market of rosé wines
According to Report 2021 – Rosé Wines World Tracking, the total pre-pandemic consumption of rosé wine reached 23.5 million hectolitres in 2019, a growth of 23% compared to the global consumption registered in 2002.
What is more, over half of the global consumption of rosé wine in 2019 occurred in France (35%), followed by the US (15%) and Germany (7%).
As for production volumes, 23 million hectolitres were produced in 2019 against the 22.4 million of 2002.
On a European level, the leading producers of rosé wine are France, Spain and Italy, in decreasing order.
New Zealand also deserves a mention, as it has been registering a continuous growth since 2002, multiplying its production volumes approximately four times over 10 years.
On the other hand, Uruguay, despite occupying the leading position when it comes to consumption per person, registered a drop in production of around 3% a year over the past 15 years.
Regarding imports and exports: 10.4 million hectolitres of rosé wine were imported on a global level in 2019, while 10.6 million hectolitres were exported.
The four leading importers were, by total percentage of volume imported – France (29%), Germany (14%), UK (10%) and US (9%). The scenario changes partially considering the total percentage of value imported – USA (23%), UK (13%), France and Germany (both at 9%).
As for exports, Spain occupies the leading position for the total percentage exported (41%), followed by Italy (15%), France (14%) and US (8%). When it comes to exported value, we have France (34%), Italy (21%), Spain (18%) and the US (8%).
Over the past two years, not even the pandemic has managed to stop the growing trend of rosé wine: in June 2021, the total value percentage of rosé wines increased to 4.4% of the total wine sold in the world against the 3.8% of 2019 (source: winenews.it). This is testament to the fact that it is not just a fad, but an actual growing phenomenon.
Among those who report loving this type of wine in particular, 51% are females, while 49% are male, which confirms what reported by the Tinazzi sales manager Giorgio Tinazzi:
“Let’s not make the mistake of thinking rosé wine is only for women or only drank in the summer. It is instead an increasingly transversal, deseasonalised and getting closer to the world of Champagne. It is appreciated mostly by younger people and Italy can definitely play a part because there are various areas suitable to the production of rosé wines in Italy.”.
After this journey through the market trend of rosé wine, let’s move on to a few curiosities.
Curiosities on rosé wine
1) History and legend of rosé wine
According to the most popular legend, rosé wine was created by chance in a small village on the banks of Lake Garda where a priest with a vegetable plot used to live. As he was very lazy, he used to have local wine growers tend to his vineyards, which were used to make wine for Mass. One day, however, the growers grew tired of his laziness and stopped taking care of his vineyards.
Thus the priest, left with nothing, decided to sneak into the village cellars and steal the growers’ wine barrels. However, he did not know that the wine had yet to ferment as it should, and therefore had a rosé colour rather than the classic deep red.
It was precisely because of this that the priest was soon found out, though it led to the production of rosé wine by the village growers.
2) How to obtain rosé wine
The most common method used to obtain rosé wine is short maceration.
According to this technique, rosé wine is obtained from red or dark grapes. The alcohol fermentation process starts as it does for red wines, i.e., from the action of the yeasts in the must. Unlike for red wine, however, the fermenting wine is removed from the skins only after a few hours – this way, the wine takes on a rosé colour rather than the classic deep red. Fermentation then continues at the same temperature used for the fermentation of white wines (12° to 22°C).
3) Optimal serving temperature
Rosé wines must not be served too cold! This is because temperatures that are too low risk anaesthetising its flavour, preventing the wine from releasing its bouquet of aromas.
The general recommendation is therefore to refer to the serving temperature found on the label. If it is not indicated, it should be served at 10°-12°C.
Tinazzi rosé wines
Chiaretto di Bardolino DOP “Campo delle Rose”, is obtained from vineyards of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, lulled by the sweet microclimate of Lake Garda. It’s a fresh wine, with a light structure, acidic and aromatic. Floral and fruity aroma with notes of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. The best pairing? Summer black truffle (scorzone), freshwater fish from the lake, paella and sushi.
While Chiaretto is the son of the lake, Negroamaro Rosato is definitely the son of the sea.
The rosé wine obtained from the Negroamaro vine variety is characterized by an elegant coral pink colour and boasts a bright brilliance. Aroma of fruits of the forest, blackberry and pomegranate, with floral hints and mineral notes. Fresh and savoury on the palate, with an excellent balance and pleasant softness.
Lots of pairing options in this case too: excellent as an aperitif, it goes with fish starters, especially shellfish, and cold cut platters.
The three Negroamaro wines produced by Tinazzi boast slight variations of flavour and aroma, as they come from vineyards located in various parts of Salento, which makes them similar yet not the same.
Find out all Tinazzi rosé wines!
In the Veneto:
Chiaretto di Bardolino DOP “Campo delle Rose” – Ca de’ Rocchi
Chiaretto di Bardolino DOP “I Seregni” – Tenuta Valleselle
In Puglia:
Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGP “Kleio” – Cantine San Giorgio
Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGP “Amarosè” – Feudo Croce
Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGP – Sentieri Infiniti – Cantine San Giorgio