Wine Loft News Brief Week of July 14th

Pretty in Pink


Believe it or not, the latest news out of France boasts the almighty (well at least now) Rose has surpassed white wine as France's favorite (by volume in sales)! Amazingly enough, it is estimated that one in four bottles sold in France is the pink stuff and with red wine sales declining as well (partly due to the summer heat), the amount of rose drunk could total more than half the bottles consumed all year. A recent study showed that the red stuff is often seen in the hands of the old rich French men, while rose is drunk by both men and women, young and old from different social groups and red wine seems to be reserved for mealtime whereas the pink stuff is popular as an aperitif or at parties.

The numbers are there and are so visible, they are causing some red wine producers to revolt up against those producing rose. Growers in the southwestern region of the Languedoc producing primarily red wines took a stance and rioted against several low-cost wine makers. But that is not stopping them! Sales in some regions have increased 10% this year and the lesser regions are not the only ones getting [back] into the game with Burgundy and Bordeaux upping their production as well.

Quality had improved considerably in the past decade. Doses of headache-inducing sulphur have been cut fourfold, while fermenting vats are now cooled to prevent grapes overheating, which used to produce heavy, coarse wine. Although the lifespan is shorter for rose due to a lack of tannins (from the short time spent in contact with the skins), rose is on the rise and apparently here to stay!

It's summer - what better time to pick up a new habit: Rose! Enjoy and have a good week.




*Taken as a excerpt from Telegraph.co.uk : Rose passes white wine as France's favourite 07/13/08*