If you’re on the hunt for the perfect summer drink, something to sip in the sun at a weekend BBQ, or the perfect wine to pair with eggs benedict over brunch, look no further, sparkling rosé is just what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re a wine lover, or just can’t resist anything pink, everyone must try sparkling rosé at least once. Not only is it a popular choice, but sparkling rosé has some of the most deliciously fruity-tasting notes in the wine world.

Not only are these light, fruity wines easy-drinkers for long summer nights, but they effortlessly cut through a range of fatty meats and heavy cheeses and pair beautifully with chocolate.

Keep reading to find out why everyone is tickled pink by sparkling rosé.

What Is Rosé Wine?

To understand what makes sparkling rosé special, first we must understand how rosé wine differs from red and white wine.

All wine is made by fermenting grapes. However, while white wines have their skins removed, red and rosé wines are fermented with theirs on. This gives them their pink to red hues.

But, while red wines will ferment with their skins intact for weeks or even months, rosé wines only stay in contact with their skins for a matter of hours. This is what gives them their signature pink color.

The inclusion of skins is one of the reasons many people prefer rosé wine to white wine. The grape skins contain tannins, which add character and flavor depth to the wine.

What Makes Sparkling Rosé Bubbly?

While you may think that all bubbly is made the same, it’s not entirely true. Read here to understand the intriguing history of how sparkling wines get their bubbles.

However, for the shorter version, all you need to know is there are various ways of adding bubbles to a bottle. Some methods are labor-intensive and need to be done by hand. More efficient ways include fermenting the wine a second time in large metal tanks.

For rosé Champagne, for instance, Pinot Noir grapes and Chardonnay grapes are turned into a light pink base wine. Before the second fermentation that lends the drink its bubbles, the wine is placed in bottles. Every day, the winemaker turns the wine in the bottle and the build-up of sediment, which builds up over time as the yeast dies, is gradually removed.

Popular Sparkling Rosé Varieties

There are many sparkling rosés on the market, each with their own unique qualities. These seemingly similar options can taste completely different due to the contrasting ways in which each is made, what grapes are used, and where in the world the wine originates.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Rosé Champagne: This is one of the most popular varieties, and among the priciest since pink Champagne is crafted using the labor-intensive method. Made in the French region of Champagne, pink Champagne almost always is made of a mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

• Rosé Prosecco: Hailing from Italy, this variety is a cheaper alternative to Champagne. Often hailing on the sweeter end of the scale, rosé Prosecco is considered an easy drinking wine that’s refreshing on hot days.

• Rosé Cava: This a Spanish rival to Champagne and Prosecco is often the most affordable of the three. However, it's actually made in the same labor-intensive way as Champagne. Note that pink Cava is made from a wide variety of grapes, including Macabeo, Grenache, and Pinot Noir.

• Brut Rosé: Our Usual Wines sparkling rosé is a Brut sparkling wine made from Californian Syrah, Sangiovese, and Malbec grapes. Because it’s Brut (which translates to dry in French) it’s a sharp, crisp option, which is perfect for those who love fruity flavors without the added sweetness.

Sparkling Rosé Taste

While all sparkling rosé varieties will taste different, there are some common tasting notes.

Fruit flavors like red berry, raspberry, and strawberry tend to come up in sweeter sparkling rosés. While dryer options, like our Brut Rosé, have notes of sharper flavors, such as grapefruit, rose petals, and even rhubarb.

Generally speaking, sparkling rosé is a fruit lover’s dream. The flavors are light yet complex and are often more interesting than ordinary sparkling wines and Champagnes. This is thought to be due to the inclusion of grape skins, which are kept on during fermentation.

So, if you enjoy light red wines, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay, a Brut rosé may be right up your alley. However, if you enjoy traditional Champagnes, Bruts, Proseccos, and Cavas, their rosé varieties are sure to tickle your fancy.

Effortless Food Pairings

One of the reasons to fall in love with sparkling rosé is it pairs well with food. It’s one of the most versatile wines to drink with a meal, so you have plenty of options.

Sparkling rosé is highly acidic, so food is this wine’s best friend. This is why sommeliers often recommend it to accompany a dish. It doesn’t matter if you’re eating fried chicken or oysters — the dazzling flavors and sharp acidity will cut through and bring out the flavors in your meal.

While it’s hard to go wrong with sparkling rosé pairings, here are a few of our favorites:

• Barbecue: Sparkling rosé is the perfect match for fatty meats such as sausages and ribs. The zingy flavors in the pink bubbly easily complement barbecue offerings.

• Chocolate: Because sparkling rosé is synonymous with romance (it could be the color) pairing your favorite pink bottle with a few chocolate-covered strawberries is a must. The acidity in the wine will bring out the more delicate flavors of the chocolate and dampen the sweetness.

• Brunch: Next time you catch up with friends over brunch, order a bottle of sparkling rosé for the table. This drink simply loves rich brunch foods like a creamy poached egg and fatty bacon.

Much More Than Pretty in Pink

From rich, meat-heavy meals to lighter vegetarian options, this pink bubbly has acidic qualities that complement a variety of meals. It’s no wonder the world seems to have fallen in love with sparkling rosé.

Boasting a host of wonderful fruity flavors and with plenty of varieties to choose from, there’s bound to be a bottle to suit your tastes. Whether you prefer a drier bubbly with notes of rhubarb or sweeter options with notes of raspberry, summer isn’t really here until you’ve shared a bottle at the barbecue.

If you’re interested in learning what all the hype is about, check out our small-batch, minimal-intervention Brut Rosé.