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Health & Fitness

How Are "Pink" Wines Different From One Another

Pink wines aren't just for ladies....they are a great refresher on a hot afternoon.

Warm weather is here which means....Rosé season! Dry Rosés are made with grapes such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. This wine is made by allowing grapes to soak in their juices with the skins on until the light pink or red color is achieved. These wines are meant to be drunk young and fresh and should be served well chilled. The most popular time to buy these with the fresh and newest vintage is in the late spring or early summer. The current vintage is 2010, but the 2009's are still tasting very good too. In Italy, a rosé is referred as a "Rosato" and Spanish Roses are "Rosado". These wines are also very popular in European countries all year round.

Sweeter pink wines are made with Zinfandel grapes, thus making the famous White Zinfandel, which is considered more of a blush wine than a rosé. This is made the same way, but is produced mainly in California.  This wine became very popular in the 70's and is still selling very strong. This is usually a wine most people start with and I must admit the first bottle of wine my now husband and I had on our first date many moons ago was a bottle of White Zinfandel, but we have evolved over the years - we prefer the drier style now.

One new wine new to the market is Pink Moscato. This is a sweet, semi sparkling wine that has become very popular in the past few months. I have tried a few of the brands out there, and while I must admit they are too sweet for me, the first glass was very refreshing on a hot Friday evening after a long week at work. This wine is low in alcohol, but higher in residual sugar than most wines, therefore making it very popular with non-wine drinkers or those just starting out with wine.

Summer weekend afternoons at our house usually involve a bottle of chilled Rosé, cheese, sausage, crackers and olives. This is the perfect way to end a day of yard work or if you are finally getting a chance to relax for the day. Try it one day...and let me know if you agree it is the perfect afternoon treat.

And guys....it’s ok to enjoy these wines too. Pink wines aren't just for the ladies!

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