Rosé craze makes its way to cider, beer, vodka

Rosé reigns on among winemakers while cider mills, breweries and one distillery jump on the bandwagon. The rise in pink wine's popularity is no secret after Nielsen's 2017 data confirmed rosé "has exploded in popularity" and seen significant sales growth, and beverage makers are meeting demand.

Rosé imports from Provence "increased tenfold between 2010 and 2016," and continue to drive the rise in French wine shipments to the U.S., according to Impact Databank and Shanken News Daily. Consumption of domestic rosé and sparkling rosé is also increasing as American wineries aim to compete.

“Rosé continues to be one of the hottest trends in wine, with a broad appeal,” said Kendall-Jackson winemaster Randy Ullom in a release announcing the national launch of 2017 Vintner’s Reserve Rosé. "Some thought this trend would end, but it has shown no signs of slowing down."

2016:Rosé rules as summer closes and blush wines bloom in USA

Cider is likewise on the rise with increased overall sales from 2015 to 2016 and more flavored cider, according to Draft Magazine.

"Cider is made like wine and sold like beer," says Luke W. Schmuecker, partner and director of business development at Vermont's Shacksbury Cider, which just released a dry cider rosé. "A lot of people who enjoy our cider tend to be adventurous drinkers who also enjoy farmhouse ales, natural wines or sour beers."

Of course, today's "rosé" ciders and spirits are largely named for color (and marketing), not actual wine. But Shacksbury at least employs grapes.

"For us, the question was, how do we make a Rosé cider that adds complexity as opposed to having it be just purely visual?" says Schmuecker. "By using locally grown Marquette grape skins, we not only got a beautiful naturally pink color, but it also provided us with additional texture from the tannins in the grape skins, and additional aromatics."

California's Hangar 1 nodded to its neighbors with a blend of Petit Verdot and White Meritage wines in the new Rosé Vodka, while other makers utilize fruits like red flesh apples or even hibiscus for color. As for taste, see the photo gallery above featuring the latest rosé releases and where to try each take, from still and sparkling wines to cider and saison.

Plus, more spring tastes and travel below.