Whilst topping-up with rouge recently, I noticed a strange looking pump, whirring away outside the vineyard's chai.
Being an inquisitive cove, I asked Madame what it was doing. 'Cooling the pink wine', she told me.
Now, I'd never heard of pink wine having to be cooled (other than before drinking), but it seems that the process of making red and pink are quite different.
For pink, the juice must not be allowed to rise above 17 C, so a giant cooling system is lowered into the fermenting juice, through which cold water is constantly circulated. At least, that's how my vigneron does it.
There you are; you learn something every day!
It's embarrassing how little I know about wine. I know a bit more about whiskey because that is my go-to beverage. I will however attempt to dazzle my wine drinking sisters with my new knowledge about the cooling of pink wines. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI must admit to knowing more about drinking it than how it's made. Red in my case; not pink.
DeleteThere's something new I've learned today. I'm assuming the pink wine is that wine which is spelled rose but pronounced differently.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
It's usually pretty dire, however it's pronounced.
DeleteI know a north wind is supposed to clear the wine and a south wind helps with fermentation, or is it the other way round. No cooling here. Just time needed and even that depends on the drinker. Some will already be sampling this year's vintage for sure. A friend ours swears his is ready and he's willing.
DeleteNo wind here today and mist is descending. Strange sight
I shall go to buy wine tomorrow, and may be given a sample of their new. I love new wine; it's so totally different to how it later becomes.
DeleteIt's only just light here, and I see that it is very foggy out there. The dog won't mind!
I don't know about over there but here I always find rose to be sweet.
ReplyDeleteI think it can be either, but it's never very pleasant.
DeleteI've only ever seen red or green grapes; I'm not sure where the pink vineyards are hidden.
ReplyDeleteThey are well hidden beside the fields of black Sunflowers.
DeleteIn Austria, particularly on the Pannonia up against the Hungarian border they grow 'ice wine'. The grapes are left on the vines until the season of mists and frosts. The vines are covered with large black nets to protect the fruit from the birds. Naturally it's more expensive than the usual wines. Tastes good though!
ReplyDeleteI've seen documentaries about 'ice wine'. Some very sweet local dessert wines are made with almost rotting white grapes.
DeleteThat'll be it. After your post the other day I find myself looking more closely at labels. My favourite black tea is Cuppers of Dorset. There's a green leaf on the package with EU stars on it. I examined the microscopic EU regulation print to discover that my favourite black tea is NOT from grown in the EU. Well, I never! I'd never have guessed it.
DeleteIs pink wine the same as rosé?
ReplyDeleteYes. Although it comes in 'grey' as well. See 'Vin gris'.
DeleteIndeed I have learnt something today.
ReplyDeleteA day without learning something, is a day wasted.
DeleteSomehow we have ended up drinking rosé all the time now, having started one Summer. It has become very popular here in the last couple of years, so of course prices have risen. Re the above comment, it is usually dry and some of it tastes very pleasant.
ReplyDeleteI find it rather 'wishy-washy'. Neither white nor red, and often nothing really in between.
DeleteNow that they are making dry Rose, it has become my wine of choice. I never liked the sweet pink wines but these new offerings are very popular and good. The one I drink (from a local winery) is dry and crisp and a perfect summer wine. It isn't bad in November either.
ReplyDeletePink wine seems more to the taste of women; it certainly is in this house.
DeleteRose is my preferred tipple so this is useful information to pass on to my friends at parties - well something to talk about anyway.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of help, Weave.
DeleteI love rose, it's become my wine of choice. Australian reds are a bit too heavy for me in this climate . I think they are better in cold weather and we don't have much of that in queensland !!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely a hot weather wine. I prefer red for the flavour.
Deletefascinating
ReplyDelete