Toasting to Rosé All Day!

Rosé, or as the Spanish describe it, Rosado, can be found all across Spain – from the Green region to la Meseta.

In Rioja, rosé is often described to be salmon in color, and made entirely from Garnacha or a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and the white grape Viura. Other rosé-producing regions include neighboring Navarra, whose rosés tend to be more deeply colored, and Txakolina from the Basque Country, which range from light-red to frothy and pink.

To help guide you, we’ve put together a list of Spanish rosés for all paltes!

Cava, Spain’s Sparkling Rosés

Explore Cava Rosé – a perfect amount of sparkling!

In 1970, the official Cava DO (Denominación de Origen) title was introduced to exclusively cover sparkling white and rosé wines.

Although Cava is produced across Spain, the heart of Cava production very much remains in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in Catalonia, just outside Barcelona. The interesting, slightly earthy flavors that distinguish Cava from most Champagnes are generally attributed to the region’s native Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada grapes. The native Trepat grape, along with Pinot Noir and Monastrell, are often used to bring red pigment and depth of flavor to Rosado, which may also be labeled as Cava Rosé.

Exciting Txakoli Rosés

Looking for a rosé wine with just a hint of bubbles? Try Txakolina Rosé produced from the Basque Country!

A type of Txakoli— a dry, perky, effervescent white wine – Txakolina Rosé is an effervescent wine, soft and rich in mouthfeel, and floral, with a hint of rosehips. Truly a thirst-quenching rosé, it’s low in alcohol and has a refreshing effervescence, so it’s easy to drink throughout the day.

These rosés are made from the native grape Hondarribi Beltza, the primary red grape of the three Txakoli producing Basque Denomination of Origins: Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina.

Traditional Rosado

Spanish rosado is a distinctly dry but bright and fruity wine. Most Spanish rosados are made from Garnacha, though other grapes like Tempranillo are often used. Rosado wines are mostly vivid pink color, with aromas and flavors of fresh strawberry, cranberry and red cherry, and a mouthwatering, tangy finish. Chill well and pair with jamón, chorizo, seafood or mild cheese!

Looking for something different? Sip on a glass of Clarete from Rioja –a wonderful alternative to more traditional rosé! Given the heavy Bordeaux influence in Rioja, Clarete is also a local tradition in this region, preferred by local consumers particularly in warm months.

Traditionally, Claretes are made from blending red and white wine, as opposed to other rosé producing methods.