Sparkling rosé is the perfect drink for celebrations, summer afternoons, or simply when you want to indulge in something a little special. However, much like any fine wine, there’s more to enjoying sparkling rosé than just popping the cork and pouring a glass. From the right glassware to the ideal serving temperature, how you enjoy this bubbly beauty can make all the difference. Read on to explore the best ways to drink sparkling rosé, ensuring you get the most out of every sip.
Temperature
If you’re wondering whether sparkling rosé should be chilled, the answer is an absolute resounding yes! Chilling rosé enhances its crisp, fruity flavor, increases its refreshing qualities, and brings out its delicate aroma. Serving rosé at the right temperature can significantly improve your overall tasting experience.
The optimum temperature for enjoying rosé is between 7–13°C. This range is generally accepted as cold enough to be refreshing but not so cold that it mutes the flavor profile of the wine.
Coolers & Ice Bucket
Wine coolers and ice buckets are a time efficient and elegant way to chill rosé. Simply fill a bucket with a mix of ice and water and place the bottle directly in the bath for around 20 to 30 minutes. This technique rapidly cools the wine, so you’ll be ready to serve it in no time.
Refrigerator
A reliable and easy method for chilling rosé is by placing the bottle in the fridge. Let it sit for about two hours to gradually reach the perfect temperature. To avoid it getting too cold, remove the bottle from the fridge around 15 to 30 minutes before drinking.
Freezer
If you’re in a hurry, the freezer can be a quick option for chilling rosé. Place the bottle in the top drawer of your freezer for around 15 to 20 minutes but be careful not to leave it for too long. When over-frozen, the wine may freeze and damage the bottle or, in some instances, the wine bottle could explode.
Ice Cubes
While not everyone opts for ice cubes in their rosé, it’s perfectly fine to add a few on a particularly warm day. Adding a couple of ice cubes to your drink can help cool your glass without making the wine too cold and muting its flavors and aromas.
Glassware & Holding Your Glass
The glass you choose can have a noticeable effect on how rosé tastes. While most wine glasses will produce a perfectly acceptable drinking experience, some glasses are designed specifically to bring out the best in rosé’s flavors and scents.
Classic stemmed glasses also do a good job for rosé, as the stem lets you hold the glass without affecting the temperature. The bowl shape is key as it helps concentrate the aromas. A slightly wider bowl can be especially helpful for enhancing the delicate notes of rosé. On the other hand, double-walled glasses are a great choice since they prevent your hand from warming the wine by keeping the bowl insulated.
Decanting
Though not as common with rosé as it is with reds, decanting can substantially improve your overall experience of your bottle of sparkling rosé. Allowing rosé to breathe in a wine decanter softens any sharp edges and opens up its bouquet, making the wine feel smoother and more inviting. Even a brief decanting time of around 15 to 30 minutes can reveal deeper aromas and more complexity in the wine.
Food Pairings
Sparkling rosé is a fantastic aperitif. This stunning, bubbly delight doesn’t need to lean on food as its bright, crisp notes and delicious aroma is truly the star of the show in its own right. However, sparkling rosé is known to be a diverse wine which pairs well with a number of dishes, from England to the Mediterranean, from sweet to savory.
Sparkling rosé can most obviously be paired with delicate foods such as summery salads, grilled fish and seafood, light pasta dishes and goat’s cheese. However, medium-pink Mediterranean sparkling rosés, especially those made using indigenous grape varieties from Greece, pair beautifully with lightly spiced dishes such as Middle Eastern chicken due to their enhanced sweetness.
In terms of sweet foods, sparkling rosé pairs wonderfully with afternoon tea and treats like strawberries and cream, and is the perfect match for summery desserts containing meringue and flavorsome fillings such as rhubarb jam and lemon curd.
