Wine expert Sam Caporn MW shares the common rosé mistakes Brits make every summer, from wrongly shunning ice cubes to picking a bottle based on colour rather than quality
From turning down ice cubes to picking out the lightest-coloured bottle available, Britons are getting a number of things wrong when it comes to enjoying rosé this summer, an expert has claimed.
Wine specialist Sam Caporn MW reveals many people mistakenly believe darker rosé indicates inferior quality, are keeping bottles for far too long, and aren’t serving the blush-coloured wine at the optimal temperature.
And one of the most contentious rosé practices might not actually be the blunder many believe it to be. Fresh research commissioned by supermarket Aldi discovered one in five Brits (22%) say they always add ice to rosé, while one in four (26%) occasionally drop in a cube or two.
However, around half (51%) say they never add ice to their rosé, indicating millions still view it as something best avoided, reports the Daily Star. Sam reckons they could be missing out.
The expert, who works for Aldi, explained: “Adding ice to rosé is not the crime some wine drinkers think it is, especially on a hot day.
“The chic way to enjoy rosé on the French Riviera is en piscine, which literally means ‘in the swimming pool’.
“While this does not involve an actual pool, it refers to serving rosé in a large, goblet-style glass with plenty of ice cubes.
“The cold temperature makes it incredibly refreshing on a hot day and can soften the wine’s acidity, giving it a smoother feel.”
The guidance arrives as Aldi has witnessed sales of certain bottles surge by 100 per cent year on year, with crowd favourite Sainte Victoire Rosé seeing sales double. Italian favourite Primitivo Rosé has soared by 64 per cent, as customers stock up ahead of BBQs, garden parties and balmy summer evenings.
Yet while rosé is enjoying a boom, research indicates that many Brits remain baffled about how to select and serve it.
Nearly one in three UK adults (31%) admit they have turned down a glass or bottle of rosé because it was not the right colour and this equates to more than £103 million worth of rosé being rejected every year.
More than half (56%) say colour is an important factor when selecting a bottle of rosé, while almost one in four (23%) admit they always choose based on shade.
Some drinkers are particularly fussy, with 13 per cent snubbing rosé for being too pale, while 18 per cent have declined a glass for being too dark.
A further 18 per cent admitted they have wanted to refuse a glass because of its colour, but accepted it out of politeness.
In a bid to settle Britain’s rosé shade dilemma, Aldi has unveiled the limited-edition Rosé Sip Swatch, a pocket-sized colour guide designed to help shoppers pinpoint their perfect pink.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at the supermarket, said: “Our research shows people have surprisingly strong opinions about the colour of their rosé, with many admitting they have rejected a perfectly good glass simply because it was not the shade they were hoping for.
“The Rosé Sip Swatch is a fun way to take the guesswork out of choosing rosé while encouraging shoppers to discover that every shade has something different to offer.”
SAM CAPORN MW’S TOP ROSÉ TIPS FOR SUMMER
1. Do not be afraid of ice.
Popping ice into your rosé isn’t the cardinal sin that some wine enthusiasts believe it to be, particularly on a scorching day.
The French Riviera style, known as en piscine, means serving rosé in a large goblet style glass with plenty of ice.
It works best with fruity, bright rosés that can stand up to being chilled right down.
2. Do not judge a rosé by its colour.
Pale rosé is frequently considered the safest option, but that doesn’t automatically mean better quality.
Lighter shades tend to be delicate and crisp, while darker rosés can offer deeper red fruit flavours.
The colour is about style, not quality, so do not be afraid to try something different.
3. Drink it fresh.
Rosé is generally at its finest when young, ideally within a year of its vintage date.
Unlike some fine reds, it is not a wine that generally improves with age.
Look for the most recent vintage you can find to enjoy bright, fruity and refreshing flavours.
4. Serve it properly chilled.
The biggest mistake is serving rosé either too warm or so cold that the flavour disappears.
It should be refreshing, but not frozen into submission.
Chill it well, then give it a few minutes out of the fridge before pouring.