White, Rosé, and Red wine: The Basics
Undoubtedly, everyone interested in wines is familiar with the main division of wines by their distinctive colors: white, rosé, & red. But how are these different colors produced, and can the color tell us anything about the taste and quality of a wine?
In general, the difference between white, rosé, and red wine lies mainly in the different production techniques used, as well as in the specific grape varieties employed. Each of these individual elements plays a role in the final result and your personal perception.
White
White wine can be made from both white and red grapes. Often, wines are crafted from white grapes and carry the name of the distinctive grapes, like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. However, white wines can also be made from red grapes with white pulp. In that case, the skins of the grapes are separated from the juice as soon as possible to prevent the red skins from coloring the wine.
After pressing the grapes, the juice is separated from the skins and seeds. The juice is then fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. In some cases, white wine is also aged in oak barrels to add extra flavor and aroma before it is bottled.
Generally, white wines are light yellow in color and tend to have a light, fresh taste, often with hints of citrus fruits in the aroma. Mostly, white wines have a higher acidity and tend to be dry, although some of the world’s best sweet dessert wines are white wines.
Rosé
Rosé wines can be made from red grapes but can also be created by blending red and white wines to achieve the desired taste and color grade.
When a rosé wine is made from red grapes, the grape skins are allowed to stay in contact with the juice until the skins have colored the juice to the desired color grade. This process will also influence the taste. Once the juice is separated from the skins and seeds, it is fermented in stainless steel tanks, similar to the process used for white wines.
When a rosé wine is made by blending, a red wine and a white wine are blended to create the desired coloring and taste profile. So, this wine is fermented like red and white wines but is bottled as rosé wine.
Generally, rosé wines vary in color from light to dark pink. They can have a wide variety of flavors, from a light and fruity taste to a more complex and robust flavor.
Red
Red wine is primarily made with red grapes. The grapes are crushed and macerated with their skins and seeds to extract the tannins, color, and aroma they contain. The resulting juice is then fermented either in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels and is further aged in oak barrels before being bottled.
In general, red wines can range in color from pale purple to deep red. Depending on the type of grapes, the fermentation process, and aging, red wines can have a rich, complex aroma and flavor with notes of ripe fruit, spices, tobacco, and vanilla. The tannins in red wines add to the complexity while aging and give red wines their specific character.
What’s Next?
Whether you prefer white, rosé, or red wine, the making is a complex process mastered and perfected by the winemaker. Each grape has its own specific characteristics, each terroir adds its own signature, and climatic influence, and each winery, by its location and expertise, transforms all these components into pleasurable drinks that deserve to be savored and enjoyed with respect for the winemaker who created it.
Remember: white, rosé, or red wine—it is your choice; you decide what tastes best for you.
In the next chapter, we will explain the different wine taste and aroma components in more detail, and we will advise on how best to pair wines with local cuisine. There are as many tastes as there are people on this Earth, so our advice will be very general and by no means binding. But we do hope it will broaden your wine experience and increase your satisfaction.