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Here on the BinWise blog, we’ve talked about the history of red wine and the history of white wine. Now it’s time for another historical record of wine, the history of rosé. Whether you’re buying a winery, working as wait staff, or working in the hotel industry, the history of rosé is good to learn.
The History of Rosé Wine
The history of rosé wine starts with the Phocaeans bringing wine grape vines from Greece to France in the sixth century B.C. to make rosé. Many argue that the history of rosé actually starts much earlier, with the start of the history of all wine.
This argument rests on the fact that rosé is made from fermenting grapes without removing the skin. That was the earliest practice of making wine. It makes sense that rosé started out back then, even if it wasn’t anything resembling the rosé we know and love today.
Early Rosé History
Early rosé history sees it spreading first to France. The French winemakers developed rosé with their exemplary grapes and winemaking practices. Rosé then spread to the Mediterranean, where more winemakers tested it. To this day, French and Mediterranean rosé remain some of the highest quality and most sought-after rosé on the market.
8 Best Regions for Rosé Wine
Since the early days of rosé wine to the rosé we enjoy in the 21st century, rosé has been cultivated around the world. Different climates for growing wine grapes make for different types of rosé, with nuanced flavors across the board. These eight different regions for rosé wine are known for producing some of the best rosé around the world.
France
Rosé wine got a lot of its substance from original French influences. To this day, France remains one of the highest-producing countries of rosé. In fact, France is also the country that consumes the most rosé.
Italy
Italian rosé doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves, and in this blog post, we’re here to change that. Italy produces about 10% of the rosé produced worldwide. From Lake Garda to Abruzzi to Puglia, the rosé production areas of Italy are responsible for some of the most unique rosé.
Mediterranean
Since rosé made its way from France to the Mediterranean, it’s no wonder that the Mediterranean region remains responsible for some truly exceptional rosé. Mediterranean rosé is often some of the most affordable–but still high quality–rosé on the market.
California
California is known for its ability to produce any number of wine types with ease. The range in weather from southern to northern California means many types of grapes grow well there, including those used for rosé. California rosé is cost-effective and absolutely delicious.
Germany
When you think about Germany and alcoholic beverages, odds are wine isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Beer brands and some of the best beer on tap are famously from Germany. That said, German rosé has a special place in the world of wine. It’s often on the dry side, but the flavor is as nuanced as any other country’s rosé.
Greece
Rosé started out in Greece long ago, and to this day Greek rosé remains unique and reminiscent of those early rosé days. Greek rosé is sweet and sparkling, with a surprising amount of tannin not often found in rosé.
Oregon
Oregon has been steadily making wine and making a name for itself in the wine community for quite some time. Oregon rosé is often a blend of Pinot Noir grapes and the rosé-making process. It’s bold and sweet, and oh-so-delicious.
Rosé In the 21st Century
In the 21st century rosé has continued to grow in popularity. It ranges from brunch cafés with rosé on the brunch menu to the variety of rosé in stores. This pink wine has become a staple for Millennials and Gen Z folks. It’s a wine that can fit any mood or occasion. With the mental shift of enjoying life as it goes in recent years, rosé fits the bill any day of the week. Even the calories in rosé wine make it a popular choice.
The Future of Rosé
It’s hard to say with certainty what the future of rosé holds, but it looks like a bright future. As more wineries lean into the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly restaurants become the norm, sustainable rosé is a huge market for wineries. Rosé has had a vibrant history and has continued to grow in popularity. It’ll be a wonder to see where it goes in the future.
"Key Takeaway: Rosé has had a vibrant history and has continued to grow in popularity. It’ll be a wonder to see where it goes in the future."
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosé’s History
The history of rosé is as bubbly and bright as the wine itself. Like all parts of wine history, the history of rosé inspires many questions from the perspective of wine sales and wine enjoyment. Our answers to these frequently asked questions will give you further insight into the history of rosé and its importance for wine.
Who First Made Rosé Wine?
The Phocaeans were the first to make rosé wine, back in the sixth century B.C. in Greece. They took wine grape vines from Greece to Massalia (now known as Marseille) in France. Those grape vines were cultivated to produce pink wine. From there, rosé spread in popularity and became quite sought after in the Mediterranean. The traveling nature of the wine led to how widespread it is today.
Why Is Rosé Wine Called Rosé?
Rosé wine is called rosé because of its roots in the French language. In French, rosé means “pinkish.” That description is apt for rosé wine, as it’s a pinkish mix between red and white wine. Different varieties of rosé–like different varieties of wine–can have many different names. The main wine varietal name, however, remains as a nod to the consistent color of rosé.
Is Rosé the Oldest Type of Wine?
Because the rosé winemaking process involves leaving the skin on grapes, it’s considered to be one of the oldest types of wine. Like the best type of red wine or the best type of white wine, rosé goes back a long way. It’s been changed and improved over the years.
The beginnings of rosé probably didn’t look much like the rosé we drink today. The essence of the drink, however, would be similar. That’s because the earliest wines were a concoction that maintained the use of the skin of the grape.
Which Country Drinks the Most Rosé Wine?
France is known as the country that drinks the most rosé wine. The rosé wine enjoyed in France is primarily produced at French wineries and vineyards. The open, accepting culture around drinking and especially drinking wine in Europe certainly plays into this statistic. In France, a glass of rosé is standard practice.
The History of Rosé Wine: Here’s to a Bubbly Past and a Bright Future
Learning the history of rosé wine is something every bartender, mixologist, sommelier, wine connoisseur, country club manager, and guest retention specialist can benefit from. It ties into the selling of rosé, which can maximize profits and boost a business from every angle.
If you’re looking to grow your business and boost profits, reach out to BinWise, BlueCart, and Revolution. The BinWise Pro inventory program gives you peace of mind when you take inventory. BlueCart’s order management system eases your ordering with the best order management software. Revolutions’ restaurant tech makes it easier to run your business.