What are the differences between red, white, and rosé wine ?

Ah, wine! The one drink that (almost) everyone agrees on and that has been making our taste buds dance for millennia. But between red, white, and rosé, sometimes it's a real symphony (or chaos) in our glasses. Why are they so different? Is it just a matter of terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, or is there a real secret behind these shades? Is there a "best" wine? Not really, but there’s definitely a wine for every taste and occasion!

Although, at On The Cusp, rosé does tend to flow a little more often into our glasses… purely for research purposes, of course!

Ready for a fun and enlightening wine journey? Buckle up your senses and taste buds, here we go!

The secret lies in winemaking and grape varieties

Let’s go, time to put on our apprentice winemaker apron ! If wine comes in so many colors (red, white, rosé) and personalities, it’s not magic… It’s all about grape varieties and some well-kept winemaking secrets. We’ll break it all down without getting too tangled in the vines !

Winemaking: a story of grape skins (yes, really).

Okay, let’s get straight to the point: the color of the grape doesn’t necessarily determine the color of the wine. Yep, surprise! You can make white wine from black grapes, but not the other way around… that would be too easy. It all comes down to the skin and how long it hangs out with the juice—pressing, maceration, and fermentation with or without skins give red or rosé wine their color.

Red wine: After destemming (separating the grapes from the stem), the black grape skins are left to soak in the juice during fermentation. Result ? A beautiful red color and tannins that add character.
White wine: Regardless of the grape’s color (white or black), the skins are removed right after pressing (or draining, to collect the free-run juice). No skin maceration means a light color, freshness, and acidity.
Rosé wine: The playful one of the bunch! The skins take a quick dip in the juice but don’t linger too long (a few hours to a couple of days max). Just enough to give it that lovely pink hue and a refreshing taste. The longer the maceration, the deeper the pink; the shorter, the paler and fresher—closer to a white wine.

Grape varieties: the real star of the wine !

French languedoc vine - Variety grenache rosé — **Grape variety - Grenache rosé - Languedoc France**

The grape variety (or cultivar) is basically wine’s DNA. It defines its style, aroma, and character. There are about 10,000 grape varieties worldwide (yep, that many!). In France, around 400 are permitted for winemaking, but just ten of them dominate 70% of vineyards.

The most popular varieties in France ? Merlot, Chardonnay, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

But today’s star: Grenache rosé, used in our On The Cusp rosé, striking the perfect balance between citrus and spice. Classy, right ?

Originally from Spain, Grenache varieties will have you dancing flamenco all night, though they’ve made a new home in the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape region.

Each wine color has its favorite grapes

Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah. The crème de la crème for deep, structured wines.
White wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc. Fresh and fruity to delight the taste buds.
Rosé wines: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre. Sunshine in a bottle, packed with red fruit flavors and a light, easy-drinking style.

And what about aromas ?

Each wine has its own olfactory signature. Close your eyes, take a deep breath… and let the magic happen!

Red wine: Notes of red (cherry, raspberry) and black fruits (blackberry, cassis), sometimes with hints of pepper, leather, or tobacco, especially with age. A real aromatic novel !
White wine: White-fleshed fruits (apple, pear), citrus, floral tones, and minerality. A breath of fresh air !
Rosé wine: Crunchy red fruits (strawberry, currant), zesty citrus, and delicate floral notes.

Our On The Cusp rosé ? A festival of clementine and grapefruit with a spicy kick of pepper.

The color : your first clue

At On The Cusp rosé wine is definitly our favorite !

Red wine: Deep purple to brick red with age. A beautiful robe that tells a story !
White wine: Pale yellow to golden. And even orange (yes, orange wine is a thing!) when the juice, skins, and seeds mingle for an uncertain amount of time.
Rosé wine: Petal pink, salmon, coral, or candy-colored. We love it ultra-pale or bold and flashy (Americans call it "blush"), depending on the mood and season.

On The Cusp ? A delicately pale rosé with a hint of orange to stand out.

And how do they taste ?

Red wine: Bold, tannic, with a complex structure.
White wine: Fresh and acidic, sometimes creamy or buttery with a silky texture.
Rosé wine: The perfect balance between freshness and fruitiness, always ready for an aperitif or BBQ.

At On The Cusp, we always lean towards rosé !

Quick tasting guide to impress your friends:

The attack: Boom ! The first impression on your palate. It pops, surprises, tingles… It’s the first date—you want it to be good!
Mid-palate: Swirl it around, let the wine dance on your tongue. Tannic ? Smooth ? Light ? This is where you see if it has body or if it’s just a background character.
Retro-olfaction: Thought it was over ? Nope! After swallowing (or spitting, we don’t judge), the aromas linger, sticking around like a catchy tune. One last taste before fading… or pulling you back for more!
Caudalie: The longer, the better… within reason (10–12 seconds). A good wine knows how to leave an impression, but not overstay its welcome.

The verdict ? Love it, hate it, or just meh ? If you keep reaching for another sip, that’s the one you liked !

What to pair them with ?

Food and wine pairing is like a great couple—when it works, it’s magical. But sometimes… it’s a total clash.

Food and beverage - Red, white or rosé what wine to pair with — Food & beverage - What is the best pair ?

Red wine: Perfect with red meats, game, and rich, saucy dishes to balance out the tannins.
White wine: Ideal for fish, seafood, poultry, and some cheeses, bringing freshness to the plate.
Rosé wine: The MVP for salads, grilled dishes, Mediterranean flavors, or just a good ol’ rosé-fueled gathering.

We’ve gone all-in on a shareable rosé in magnum format (1.5L is just two 75cl bottles, after all !),

so everyone can toast together !

Conclusion

Red, white, or rosé, each has its moment to shine. The best wine ? The one you love, period.

And maybe it’s time to give rosé the respect it deserves. It already accounts for 33% of wine sales in France and 1 in 10 bottles consumed worldwide*. Since 2002, consumption has soared by 40%. No longer a second-class wine, rosé is THE drink of sunshine and good vibes !

Let’s be real—you don’t often drink rosé in the rain… but hey, no rules against it. It’s the bottle you pop open on a sunny terrace, at a BBQ, or for a rooftop party. On its own, over ice, or in a cocktail, rosé wine is always bottled happiness.

So, shall we toast to rosé?