Rosé is French for “pink.” Rosés are made from red grapes, but the juice and skins are only in contact for a short time (anywhere from a few hours to several days) before the juice is separated. When the winemaker is happy with the color, the winemaking process continues as it would for white wine. Rosés are rarely aged in oak.

Rosés have always been drunk in southern France. Originally they were made from leftover grapes that didn't make it into the local red wine. The winemaking philosophy has changed, and rosés are now being made on purpose and have acquired respect. They're made in a dry style.

Some of the best rosés come from France — from Tavel (which makes only rosé wines) in the Rhone region and Anjou in the Loire Valley. Back in the 1960s, rosés were quite popular in the United States but fell out of fashion.

Then white Zinfandel hit the market in the '80s and the blush wine category was born. White Zinfandel is sweet and low in alcohol, and due to its massive popularity, many consumers now believe that all rosés are sweet. In fact, many are dry and off-dry.

Rosé wines can be found with names. Rosado is a rosé from Spain. Rosato is a rosé from Italy. Vin Gris (“gray wine”), from France, is a very pale rosé made from very lightly pressed red grapes.