Aldi wine expert Sam Caporn says many drinkers wrongly assume darker rosé means lower quality, often save bottles for too long and serve the drink at the wrong temperature.
Common rosé mistakes
New research by Aldi found half never put ice in their rosé, but Sam says they may be missing a trick. She said: “Adding ice to rosé is not the crime some wine drinkers think it is, especially on a hot day. The chic way to enjoy rosé on the French Riviera is en piscine, which literally means ‘in the swimming pool’.
“While this does not involve an actual pool, it refers to serving rosé in a large, goblet-style glass with plenty of ice cubes. The cold temperature makes it incredibly refreshing on a hot day and can soften the wine’s acidity, giving it a smoother feel.”
Sales surge and colour confusion
The advice comes as Aldi has seen sales in some bottles shoot up by 100 per cent year on year, with fan favourite Sainte Victoire Rosé doubling in sales. Italian favourite Primitivo Rosé has risen by 64 per cent.
Nearly one in three UK adults admit they have turned down a glass or bottle of rosé because it was not the right colour. Almost one in four admit they always choose based on shade.
Aldi has launched the Rosé Sip Swatch, a pocket-sized shade guide to help shoppers identify their perfect pink.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi, said: “Our research shows people have surprisingly strong opinions about the colour of their rosé, with many admitting they have rejected a perfectly good glass simply because it was not the shade they were hoping for.
“The Rosé Sip Swatch is a fun way to take the guesswork out of choosing rosé while encouraging shoppers to discover that every shade has something different to offer.”
Misconceptions and drinking habits
More than half incorrectly believe rosé is made by mixing red and white grapes together. And when it comes to glassware, not everyone is sticking to the usual wine glass. Some admitted drinking rosé from a pint glass or even a teacup.
The findings come as rosé cements its place as one of Britain’s favourite summer drinks, with two-thirds saying summer is the season they are most likely to drink it. The average drinker expects to get through 20 glasses this summer alone.
Available exclusively via giveaway, the Sip Swatch launches today. To be in with a chance of winning, shoppers need to email their full name to Aldiroseswatch@aldi.co.uk
