The ideal way to make rose is to use a process called maceration - in which the skins of the red grapes are left in the fermenting tanks for a short period of time, allowing the colour and some flavours to seep in. The process of blending red wine with white to make rose is not very common anyway, even where it is permitted. However EU regulators felt that European producers would be held back from growing export markets in Asia if they were not allowed to compete with Australian and South African producers who do sometimes use the cheaper blending method.
Earlier this year, legislators proposed permitting blending, which caused an uproar. Indignant French producers marshalled their forces and, along with their Italian counterparts, began a campaign to petition members of the European parliament. Industry participants predicted, among other things, "catastrophe".
The hyperbole may or may not have been necessary, but the French and Italian rose producers are now claiming victory as the European Commission has decided to drop the plan to allow mixing.
It was also interesting to learn that rose has now overtaken white wine in popularity in France, accounting for about 20% of wine sold there. In Canada rose accounts for just 3.2% of wine market.
Presumably the decision on blending will not affect champagne producers, who have long permitted the blending in of red wine into their rose champagnes.
Meanwhile, there's a ton of roses on release at Vintages right now, so go get some to celebrate the decision.
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