What’s the latest wine trend after rosé? Rosé over ice, of course. In a move started by Veuve Clicquot and Moët Chandon last year, major labels Freixenet, Mouton Cadet and Rosé Piscine are now following suit with more iceworthy rosés.
Does the idea of dropping ice cubes in a glass of wine make you shudder? Think about it this way. You’re at a pool party or the beach, and it’s sweltering. Your rosé will go warm in a few minutes, and you want something refreshing that doesn’t go flat when the ice melts. Enter new rosé ice wines.
Brands are selling these new rosés as wines designed specifically to be consumed at colder temperatures. In plain English: there’s a higher amount of acidity and sugar in the dosage so it won’t be tasteless when diluted by ice.
So, are these really new wines, or just a marketing ploy targeted to get millennials to start drinking sweeter sparkling wines again? The sec and demi-sec categories have struggled recently as preferences have trended more towards low- or zero-dosage brut Champagnes and sparkling wines. Placing sec and demi-sec sparkling wines in the context of pool parties and picnics might just be a brilliant way to help Millennials take the plunge (pun intended).
Here are the newest rosés designed to be served over ice:
Rosé Piscine – Order a Piscine in France, and you shall receive a rosé over ice. The name literally translates to “rosé swimming pool”, so you know exactly where to drink this one. Rosé Piscine was launched in France and Brazil to huge success, with several million bottles sold annually in those countries. Now, Rosé Piscine has just launched in the U.S. via events in NYC and the Hamptons. While it currently retails in just 3 shops in NYC, plans are for nationwide expansion. Tasting notes include floral, lychee, and enough acidity and residual sugar to “achieve equilibrium by serving over ice”.
Mouton Cadet ICE Rosé – Tasting notes include a bouquet of strawberry and currant on the nose, with a more “succulent” sweetness and richness on the palate than non-ice rosé. This product does not yet appear to be available for sale in the United States.
Freixenet ICE Rosé – Tasting notes include summer berries and spice. If this is anything similar to its non-rosé cousin, Freixenet ICE, the sweetness will be on par with a demi-sec. This product does not yet appear to be available for sale in the United States.
Can’t wait for these bottles to hit stores near you? Check out Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé, available on Amazon.com