Just as the old theory about white wine with fish and shellfish and red with meat is completely wrong so is the idea that certain wines have their place in the cycle of seasons. Wine writers often talk about a wine being ‘perfectly suited for the celebration of spring’ or ‘the perfect winter warmer’. Now, there may be a little truth to that – but there are wines which transcend the idea of seasonality. One of these is Rose. Year-round Rose is ow a reality. Rose’s have a character that begs for them to be enjoyed in the warmth of the summer sun. It is refreshing and light and boasts a fruity aroma and a wonderful color that is evocative of those light salads and barbecues with friends and families. But it is also a wine that is incredibly versatile – it is equally at home in front of a roaring fire. In fact, there are many reasons that Rose should be enjoyed every month of the year.

Rose is a wine that can pair wonderfully with any meal – making it the perfect all year round libation. Pair it with fish or other seafood (it may pair wonderfully with some oysters), chicken or canapes, salads, or stir-fries. It does particularly well with the lighter dishes that have their origins in the South of France or with the wonderful tapas, seafood and other dishes that are found across the Mediterranean region. It also pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes and is a great compliment to meals with a Southeast Asian flavor.

For many years Rose wine was considered a bit of a ‘party trick’ be wine experts – it simply was not taken seriously. However, that has been changing over the last few years. It has now been recognized that the production of great Rose requires expert knowledge and a mastery of the technicalities that will bring out the full fruity nature of the wine, while keeping it balanced – as well as harness the beauty of its color and keep production and quality consistent from one vintage to another.

Another reason Rose should be enjoyed all year round is that it can only be stored for a short time – so the best way to approach a bottle is to open it and enjoy. Most Roe’s can only be kept for around 12 months. Some may keep up to two years, but these are the exception, rather than the rule.

There’s another reason to enjoy a Rose whatever the season. It was once thought to fall into the category of ‘cheap and cheerful’ – certainly not to be taken that seriously. Although the ‘fun’ of a Rose is still one of its best selling points there are now some Rose’s that fall very much into the ‘gourmet’ category. Some are now aged in Oak and exhibit a wonderful delicacy and complexity.

Given the changing nature of the latest Rose’s that are on the market – and the increasing sophistication of the many different releases it is certainly a wine that will fit any occasion – and any season. This is why year-round Rose is now a reality for wine lovers across the globe.