Many folks have heard or are large fans of Pinot Grigio. However, rosé lovers will rejoice to discover that there is Pinot Grigio Rosé, sometimes referred to as Pink Pinot Grigio.
Many will also be very surprised to learn that this form of Pinot Grigio came first and is the more organic state of this wine.
While it is commonly assumed that Pinot Grigio grapes originated in Italy, their actual birthplace is in France, where they were known as Pinot Gris. The grapes have bright reddish-purple skin and wines were traditionally made with a Ramato (coppery) color.
This color was derived from the direct contact with the skin of the grapes. This was viewed as a way to add more flavor to the wine and involved macerating the skin for hours.
By the 1950s winemakers began utilizing the Pinot Grigio grapes to make the white version of the wine. By the 1980s refinery technology had improved the clarity of white wine and the popularity soared.
Due to the popularity and need of the white Pinot Grigio, the Ramato version began to fall into obscurity. However, due to the dedication of some esteemed winemakers, a few producers still exist.
Is there a Pinot Grigio Rosé?
Yes, there is a rosé Pinot Grigio wine, to the surprise of many wine enthusiasts! It’s very tasteful but subtle and often filled with flavors of ripe cherries and pears.
I once had a friend who went to Central America and brought me back one particularly fine example of a rosé wine made from pinot grigio grapes.
So next time you are at your favorite restaurant or are picking up a bottle of wine for your next dinner party, remember that there is a rosé Pinot Grigio!
What Does Pinot Grigio Rosé Taste Like?
This unique wine will take you by surprise.
The taste of rosé Pinot Grigio is often described as citrus mixed tree-fruit such as apples and pears. Expect notes of peach, melon, and honeysuckle. These are truly original flavors for a rosé wine which are traditionally full of cherry and strawberry flavors.
So, this rosé can be thought of as an orange wine instead of the usual blush or pink.
In general, rosé wines tend to resemble the flavor profile of light red wine. However, they bring a much brighter and crispier tasting note, than that of a red. In particular, Pinot Grigio Rosé is best known for its perfect level of dryness, medium-high level of acidity, and red fruit notes like strawberries or raspberries.
A considerably delicate style of rosé, Pinot Grigio Rosè takes on the color of the pale purple grape skins or the common Ramato coppery color. The grape itself is considered to be a bit of a primadonna, requiring perfect conditions for growth, but it makes for an aesthetically appealing wine. The grape can produce an earthy, yet elegant wine, that’s both cool and refreshing. This makes this particular type of wine very expansive on the palate and aromatic for the nose. Other commonly associated flavors for a Pinot Grigio Rosé are watermelon, crabapple, and wet stone (minerality).
Best Pinot Grigio Rosé Examples
Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato 2019 – Such a romantic sparkling rosé for a warm spring or summer day. You’ll find it bright, crisp, and refreshing to the lounge. The orange hue is unique and mesmerizing, unlike any other wine you’ve tried. You will taste citrus, strawberries, apples, and pears.
Botter Pinot Grigio Rosato – The vibrant pink color of this rosé is achieved through gentle pressing and soaking of the blush-hued Pinot Grigio grape skins with the juice. The elegant bouquet has citrus zest and hibiscus notes with flavors of red apple and a dry finish.
Casal Garcia Vinho Rosé N.V. – A great place to start for anyone trying to experience rosé Pinot Grigio. It comes with vivid flavors of strawberry, lemon, and apple. The aroma tends to be similar. A bottle of fantastic sipping wine with a crisp finish.
Barefoot Cellars Pink Pinot Grigio – Another crip and fruity wine ideal for a daytime drink by the pool. This one is full of tart apple, peach, and raspberry notes.
Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio – Enjoy this Italian wine with lifted flavors of wild strawberry with a savory touch of yeast, spice, and pink grapefruit. A truly delectable wine with a unique bottle. A must-try for all wine enthusiasts.
What Food Pairs with Pinot Grigio Rosé?
Despite popular opinion, rosé connoisseurs will know how amazing and versatile the wine is in terms of food pairings – with Pinot Grigio Rosé being no exception. This oftentimes light and refreshing wine is an excellent coupling with a multitude of meals.
Seafood – This wine is often paired next to an array of crab, shrimp, and fish dishes because of its light and refreshing nature.
Comfort Food – Comfort food such as burgers and fries or pizza would make a good pairing for rosé Pinot Grigio because it’s fantastic as a sipping wine for non-formal situations. Ideal for daytime backyard cookouts.
It is also nice to drink while eating spicy foods like Mexican or Indian because of the heat that it has. It also pairs well with seafood dishes that have a creamy or buttery base.
Rosé wine and summertime go hand in hand, so it’s a very popular option alongside barbeques, potato salads, and an array of summer potluck items.
Similarly, since the wine comes from warm-climate grapes, it makes a great choice alongside several cuisines like Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek.
Some specific examples of food pairings would be alongside appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon, olive plates, or hummus. Or perhaps main dishes like chicken or veal parmesan, grilled halibut and lemon, or a Mediterranean couscous salad with roasted seasonal vegetables.
Is Pinot Grigio Rosé Sweet or Dry?
While Pinot Grigio Rosé is known for often being fruity in flavor and aromatics, it is still classified as being a dry wine. This has much to do with the finishing taste and mouthfeel of the wine being rather dry.
However, despite being classified as a dry wine, specific bottles aren’t dry at all.
For instance, there are many Pinot Grigio Rosé wines done in a dessert wine variety. This not only lowers the alcohol content and dryness of the wine, but it brings a much sweeter profile to the taste.
Because of this, Pinot Grigio Rosé is a considerably versatile genre of wine, bringing out products on either end of the spectrum.
Is Pinot Grigio Rosé a Blend?
Regardless of whether a wine includes actual pinot grigio, it may or may not include additional grapes. These grapes are typically used to enhance the aroma of the wine – which is why pinot noir has become so popular in recent years.
They are grown alongside pinot noir grapes because their strong aromas can be easily overpowered by that of pinot noir alone. These additional grapes are not required to be declared on the wine label, but typically prominent examples will include Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
In the past, wine connoisseurs declared Pinot Grigios to be ‘neutral’ wines that were not worth a lot of attention. However, in recent years winemakers have been experimenting with different types of pinot grapes and turning out some seriously impressive wines – including rosé Pinot Grigios.
These wines are gaining in popularity because of their fruity flavors and higher tannin content.
However, there are still hundreds of different types of wines within the Pinot Grigio family – many of which are not truly red, white, or rosé even though they may be labeled as such.
Pinot Grigios can range from deep garnet to pinkish-white with most falling somewhere in between. They can be extraordinarily sweet and fruity, dry, and crisp, or anywhere in-between.
How is Pinot Grigio Rosé Made?
Rosè wines take on the similar process of winemaking that whites and reds do, however, there are some distinctive methods used. Rosé wine begins with red wine grapes, in this case, Pinot Grigio grapes. Winemakers will then have options on their methods of choice to create the perfect rosé. Because Pinot Grigio Rosé is a rosé wine, winemakers will utilize one of these same methods.
The first method is direct pressing, where the grapes are gently pressed before alcoholic fermentation. The grapes don’t stay in contact with the skin for long, so the juice won’t contain many colors. This method will produce the lightest colored rosé wines.
The next method is drawing off, which is more similar to a red winemaking process. After allowing an excessive amount of time for fermentation with the skin on, the winemaker draws the juice away from the skin and finishes the fermenting process without it. This will produce relatively dark rosé wine.
Another method utilized for rosé making is called Saignée, which in French means bleeding. This process is similar to drawing off, the difference being that some juice is still left to ferment with the skins. This method will produce two wines; a rosé and a highly concentrated red. Unfortunately, the red wine is usually the goal of the winemaker and the rosé a mere afterthought or residual product. This makes rosé wines made from this method, not of the best quality.
The last and most unpopular method of crafting rosé wines is blending. Essentially, the winemaker will blend red and white wines, yielding a pink result. This practice is not even permitted in the EU, with only the exception being pink champagne.
Summary
That’s everything a wine enthusiast needs to know about rosé Pinot Grigio. Make sure you add one of the examples to your wine hitlist and get a chance to try it for yourself.
Pinot Grigio tends to fly under the radar for most wine drinkers who gravitate towards traditional classics, but if you’re ready to take an adventure through the ever-expanding world of wine, then I suggest you make time to experience this uniquely refreshing drink.
If you feel like I missed something about this rosé Pinot Grigio, or would like to contact me directly, feel free to do it on here or through our Facebook page.