Is wine a mysterious product of soil, soul, weather, grapes, sweat and tradition? Or is it an industrial product for mass-consumption like any other?

This question is at the core of the heavily debated Rosé issue in Europe. The EU and the French wine producers from Provence are debating how to make authentic rose wines and how to label these wines.

The debate is basically fueled by the fact that Rosé wines have become extremely popular in all the important and new wine markets. Adding to the popularity it seems that white and red wine surpluses are pilling up and that by allowing rosé wines to be produce by mixing red and white wine, the surplus problem can be addressed.

The EU realised that in other countries, notably in South Africa, Argentina, Chile and Australia, cheap rosé can be produced, quite legally, by blending red and white wine to achieve an acceptable and easily marketable taste.

The EU also release that by easing the rose regulation, their “blended” rosé wines will be more competitive with the new world blends.

Rosé sales have been booming worldwide, defying the problems of other types of wine. Young people, especially, have taken to rosé as a fun drink, which is refreshing, uncomplicated and relatively cheap.

This issue has turned into a commercial, social and moral debate and it seems that all the stakeholders (parties) are fiercely defending their view.

From a South African (New world wine) perspective I think that the recent market share improvements of rosé wines will come under pressure when the French (Europe) enters this “blended” rosé wine market.

Source: The Independent