How Is Rose Wine Made: Grapes, Regions, and Labelling
Updated
How is rose wine made, and where does it come from? Start with the origins and grape varieties used in rosé wine production, particularly within Burgundy, and how these wines are generally identified. Rosé wine is produced in some regional appellations of Burgundy. That entry notes that small amounts of rosé and sparkling wines are made there. Historically, pink wines existed. A 1728 work on Burgundy wines by Claude Arnoux mentions "il-de-Perdrix pink wines of Volnay", as cited by Jancis Robinson in the Oxford Companion to Wine. The production of rosé wine involves red grape varieties. In Burgundy, red wines are primarily made from Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. Beyond Burgundy, a wide array of red grapes can be used for wine production, including Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Bobal, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsaut, Douce noir, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Montepulciano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel.
The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines outlines general requirements for wine labelling, applicable to all wine types, including rosé.
What grapes are used in rosé wine production?
Rosé wine is made from red grape varieties, drawing from a diverse selection globally. The choice of grape influences the wine's characteristics. In Burgundy, for example, red wines are predominantly made from Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. These same varieties can contribute to rosé production in the region.
Beyond Burgundy, numerous red grape varieties are cultivated worldwide and can be used to produce rosé wines. We detail many of these, including those from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and other countries.
The list includes these red grape varieties and their primary countries of origin:
| Grape Variety | Country of Origin |
|---|---|
| Agiorgitiko | Greece |
| Aglianico | Italy |
| Alicante Bouschet | France |
| Alfrocheiro | Portugal |
| Barbera | Italy |
| Blaufränkisch | Austria |
| Bobal | Spain |
| Cabernet Franc | France |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | France |
| Carignan | Spain |
| Carménère | France |
| Cinsaut | France |
| Dolcetto | Italy |
| Dornfelder | Germany |
| Gamay | France |
| Graciano | Spain |
| Grenache | Spain |
| Lagrein | Italy |
| Lambrusco | Italy |
| Malbec | France |
| Maratheftiko | Cyprus |
| Merlot | France |
| Montepulciano | Italy |
| Mourvèdre | Spain |
| Nebbiolo | Italy |
| Negroamaro | Italy |
| Nero d'Avola | Italy |
| Pinot Noir | France |
| Pinotage | South Africa |
| Sangiovese | Italy |
| Saperavi | Georgia |
| Schiava | Italy |
| Shiraz / Syrah | France |
| St. Laurent | France |
| Tannat | France |
| Tempranillo | Spain |
| Touriga Nacional | Portugal |
| Uva di Troia | Italy |
| Vranac | Montenegro |
| Xinomavro | Greece |
| Zinfandel / Primitivo | Croatia |
| Zweigelt | Austria |
This diverse range of grapes allows for a wide spectrum of rosé styles, from light and delicate to fuller-bodied expressions. Understanding the grape varieties can help you anticipate the character of a rosé wine. In the same way, knowing the varietals in a fine red Bordeaux from the 1855 classification can inform your expectations.
Where is rosé wine produced?
Rosé wine production occurs in various regions, including specific regional appellations within Burgundy. "Small amounts of rosé and sparkling wines are also produced in the region" of Burgundy. Furthermore, "some of the regional appellations" in Burgundy specifically "allow the production of rosé and sparkling wines, as well as wines dominated by grape varieties other than Pinot noir or Chardonnay,". Historically, pink wines have a presence in Burgundy. Jancis Robinson cites a 1728 work on Burgundy wines that notes "il-de-Perdrix pink wines of Volnay". The Burgundy region itself is extensive, running from Auxerre in the north to Mâcon in the south. It reaches Lyon if the Beaujolais area is included. The region is known for its numerous appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOCs), which classify vineyards based on their terroir. Grand Cru and Premier Cru classifications in Burgundy primarily focus on red and white wines. Regional appellations offer broader scope for other wine types, including rosé.
You can learn more about the diverse regions and producers by consulting our producer atlas by region.
How are rosé wines identified through labelling?
Rosé wines, like all wines, adhere to international labelling standards to provide consumers with essential information. The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines outlines the general measures, compulsory information, and optional information that may appear on a wine label.
Compulsory information on a wine label, according to the OIV standard, includes:
- The use of the word "wine".
- Appellation of origin or Geographical indication.
- Information on alcoholic strength.
- Information on substances known to cause hypersensitivity, including allergies.
- Net contents.
- The country of origin.
- The name and address of the person responsible for pre-packages.
- Batch identification.
Optional information, as per the OIV standard, may include trademarks, other terms, parties participating in the marketing process, the name of the viticultural holding, varietal name, vintage or harvest year, type of wine, the ageing of wine, traditional terms of quality, and medals and distinctions. These standards ensure that consumers have access to consistent and clear details about the wine they are purchasing or holding. For example, a bottle of Rosé Champagne will display its appellation and producer clearly, allowing you to identify its origin and maker.
What blending do Burgundy's appellation rules allow?
Burgundy's appellation rules set out what may be blended into a wine. Rules for red Burgundy appellations run from regional to Grand Cru level. They generally allow up to 15% of the white grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Pinot gris to be blended in. It is important to note that this practice is not widely adopted today for red Burgundy wines.
This information highlights that blending grapes of different colors is a recognized, though not always utilized, practice within certain wine classifications. For those considering the long-term value of their collection, understanding such nuances can be as important as assessing wine ullage levels or provenance.
Whether you are exploring new rosé wines or evaluating your existing collection, our side-by-side wine comparison feature helps you analyze different wines on key metrics.