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    Home » Uncategorized » The Difference between White Zinfandel and a Rose Wine

    The Difference between White Zinfandel and a Rose Wine

    Published: Jul 30, 2013 · Modified: Aug 12, 2021 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    What is the Difference between White Zinfandel and Rose Wine?

    The difference between white zinfandel and Rose Wine

    A reader asked what the difference is between a rose wine and the much belittled white zinfandel since rose wines are becoming much more popular and are being produced more widely by wineries. So I asked my favorite Wine Geek and this is what he said:

    The short answer is that while both wines are made in much the same way; White Zinfandel is sweeter and pinker than most roses which tend to be dry and range in color from onion skin to deep-salmon to candy apple red.

    The long answer: Rose wines have been made in France for centuries. Wine Writer Tom Stevenson postulates in the Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia that Rose has been made for more than 2600 years. The best come from Tavel in the Rhone Valley and Bandol in Provence. Rose is made from many different old world grapes, but some of the most comonly used grapes in French Rose are Grenache, Mouvedre, Syrah and Cinsault.

    White Zinfandel, which was first made in California by Bob Trincheroof Sutter Home Winery, was the result of a fortuitous accident. And, as the name clearly states, is made from Zinfandel grapes. In an effort to create a richer Zinfandel from his vineyards in Amador County, Trinchero removed 550 gallons of juice from the fermenting tank to allow a higher skin to juice ratio. The theory was that this would make the resultant Zinfandel wine "richer" (Think Kool-aid here...the less water to powder...the richer the flavor).

    But Trinchero had a problem, he now had 550 gallons of white juice on his hands and no place to put it. So he made wine and sold it in 1973 and 1974 under the name White Zinfandel; while the wine had its trademark pink color it was also dry. In 1975, a "stuck fermentation" (the fortuitous accident) resulted in a higher than normal amount of residual sugar being left in the wine, and the rest is history. It is estimated more than 10 million cases of White Zinfandel are sold each year. While it has been somewhat vilified by wine snobs, (Adult Soda Pop) it should be remembered that many wine drinkers today first started with White Zin and graduated to more complex varietal wines. I personally make a habit of shaking the hand of any White Zin drinker...after all that means they are not drinking beer or spirits! In addition, the creation of White Zinfandel helpt to save many of California's oldest Zinfandel vineyards from being re-planted.

    The rest of the long answer: The best Rose's are dry, and range in color from a very pale vin gris color to deep red. They are made in three ways:

    1. Bleeding: Black grapes are allowed to press themselves under their own weight. The resulting juice is fermented and results in a very fresh flavored, fruity rich wine.
    2. Pressing: Black grapes are pressed just long enough for the juice to take on the color of rose. The result is not as rich as bleeding.
    3. Limited Maceration: Made in the same way as red wines, but the skin contact with the juice is cut short to create the appropriate color and flavor profile.

    The really quick answer: White Zin is sweeter and pinker than traditional Rose, but both are refreshing, fruity, delightful and best enjoyed on a warm summer day.

    LindySez: So there you are. However, I think that a nice Rose, from France, California, Oregon, Washington or wherever, goes beautifully with not only smoked meats, like ham, but is a great compliment to your Thanksgiving table. It goes with most all of the “traditional” sides and is yummy with Turkey.
    Photo Credit: Image credit: magone / 123RF Stock Photo

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cristina

      August 02, 2013 at 11:53 am

      yeah! The one I used to drink from the Bandol region was AUMERADE. Hope to find some when there soon!

      Reply
      • LindySez

        August 02, 2013 at 2:52 pm

        And I'll bet it was delicious! I love a nice crisp rose on a warm summer day...

        Reply
    2. Holly Lovegrove

      September 03, 2013 at 4:26 am

      Hey Lindy, remember me from Group Recipes? Now moved from Austria to the UK. Just a comment on White Zin: I have found it makes an excellent aperitíf (very cold and served with a slice of lime), especially when you are not serving snacks along with it. Light but tasty and prepares the palate for a more masculine wine during the dinner. Europeans mostly loved it served this way.

      Reply
      • LindySez

        September 03, 2013 at 8:16 am

        I do Holly. So glad you found me here 🙂 Yes, that is exactly the way to serve either a white zin or a rose wine, nice a chilled ... the lime is an interesting idea, I'll have to try that! ~ Cheers

        Reply
    3. LindySez

      February 24, 2018 at 11:39 am

      While white zin is NOT the same as rose, I would disagree it's for suckers, it's really for the untrained palate - usually someone who is new to wine and not ready for big flavors. I think of my younger years when Mateus Rose and even Boones Farm tasted pretty tasty. So as you learn and grow your wine knowledge and develop your flavor buds, go ahead and order white zin if you like it. Then try new bolder flavors. Cheers ~ Lindy

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    I am a home-trained chef who loves to cook and eat delicious food. As I like to say, "Life is too short to eat mediocre food". And I find too much food out there is mediocre. I don't think good food needs to be fussy, or difficult to prepare. Most of my recipes are fresh, quick, easy, and tasty while keeping both calories and fats in check. 

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