Function

• In red wine production, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice throughout the fermentation process. Removing the grape skins when the grapes are pressed, allowing the skins to contact the juice for only a brief time, produces rose wine.

Identification

• Rose wines are pink in color, much lighter than the deep crimson hues of red wine. Rose wine can be either sweet or dry. Red wines, on the other hand, have a bolder, fruitier flavor.

Fact

• Rose wines are made from the same grapes as red wine. Color and taste will depend upon the exact grapes used.

Location

• France and Spain are known for producing dry rose wine, while American rose wine is sweet. Quality red wines are produced around the globe, including such countries as Argentina, Australia, France, Italy, and the United States.

Considerations

• Pink juice removed from red wine vats early in the fermentation process may be fermented separately to make rose wine. Red wine and white wine may be blended to form rose wine, but this method is frowned upon in most wine growing regions.