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We're drinking ros wine wrong Aldi expert names the mistakes we keep making

It turns out we're a bunch of wine philistines as we keep making mistakes when it comes to sipping a lovely glass of ros

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Aldi's wine expert Sam Caporn MW

From refusing to add ice to choosing the palest bottle on the shelf, Brits are making a string of mistakes when it comes to drinking ros this summer.

Aldis wine expert Sam Caporn MW says many drinkers are wrongly assuming darker ros means lower quality, saving bottles for too long and serving the pink drink at the wrong temperature.

And one of the most divisive ros habits might not be the faux pas people think it is.

New research commissioned by Aldi found one in five Brits (22%) say they always put ice in ros, while one in four (26%) sometimes add a cube or two.

But around half (51%) say they never put ice in their ros, suggesting millions still see it as something that should be avoided.

Sam says they may be missing a trick.

She said: Adding ice to ros is not the crime some wine drinkers think it is, especially on a hot day.

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Sam reckons we're missing a trick with rose

The chic way to enjoy ros 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 ros 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 wines acidity, giving it a smoother feel.

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 Ros doubling in sales.

Italian favourite Primitivo Ros has risen by 64 per cent, as shoppers stock up for BBQs, garden parties and long summer evenings.

But while ros is booming, the research suggests many Brits are still confused about how to choose and serve it.

Nearly one in three UK adults (31%) admit they have turned down a glass or bottle of ros because it was not the right colour and this equates to more than 103 million worth of ros being rejected every year.

More than half (56%) say colour is an important factor when selecting a bottle of ros, while almost one in four (23%) admit they always choose based on shade.

Some drinkers are especially picky, with 13 per cent rejecting ros because it was too pale, while 18 per cent have turned down a glass for being too dark.

A further 18 per cent admitted they have wanted to refuse a glass because of its colour, but accepted it out of politeness.

To help solve Britains ros shade dilemma, Aldi has launched the limited-edition Ros Sip Swatch, a pocket-sized shade guide to help shoppers identify their perfect pink.

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Plenty of Brits don't know how rose is made

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi, said: Our research shows people have surprisingly strong opinions about the colour of their ros, with many admitting they have rejected a perfectly good glass simply because it was not the shade they were hoping for.

The Ros Sip Swatch is a fun way to take the guesswork out of choosing ros while encouraging shoppers to discover that every shade has something different to offer.

Brits are also divided over how ros should be served.

Drinkers believe the perfect temperature is 6.9C, with most saying a bottle should be chilled for between one and three hours before serving.

And many drinkers are unsure what ros is actually made from.

More than half (56%) incorrectly believe ros is made by mixing red and white grapes together, while one in six (16%) think it comes from ros grapes.

And when it comes to glassware, not everyone is sticking to the usual wine glass.

More than half (53%) have drunk ros from a white wine glass, while 31 per cent have had it from a red wine glass and 20 per cent from a champagne flute.

But some admitted drinking ros from a pint glass or even a teacup, both at 11 per cent.

The findings come as ros cements its place as one of Britains favourite summer drinks, with two-thirds (67%) saying summer is the season they are most likely to drink it.

The average drinker expects to get through 20 glasses this summer alone, spending an average of 6.40 on a glass or 15.60 on a bottle.

The most popular time to take the first sip is 8pm. But choosing the right bottle for someone else can be a minefield.

Available exclusively via giveaway, the Sip Swatch launches on Tuesday, July 21.

To be in with a chance of winning, shoppers need to email their full name to Aldiroseswatch@aldi.co.uk

SAM CAPORN MWS TOP ROS TIPS FOR SUMMER

1. Do not be afraid of ice

Adding ice to ros is not the crime some wine drinkers think it is, especially on a hot day.

The French Riviera style, known as en piscine, means serving ros in a large goblet style glass with plenty of ice.

It works best with fruity, bright ross that can stand up to being chilled right down.

2. Do not judge a ros by its colour

Pale ros is often seen as the safest choice, but it does not automatically mean better quality.

Lighter shades tend to be delicate and crisp, while darker ross can offer deeper red fruit flavours.

The colour is about style, not quality, so do not be afraid to try something different.

3. Drink it fresh

Ros is usually at its best when it is young, ideally within a year of its vintage date.

Unlike some fine reds, it is not a wine that generally improves with age.

Look for the most recent vintage you can find to enjoy bright, fruity and refreshing flavours.

4. Serve it properly chilled

The biggest mistake is serving ros either too warm or so cold that the flavour disappears.

It should be refreshing, but not frozen into submission.

Chill it well, then give it a few minutes out of the fridge before pouring.

5. Pimp it up for summer

Ros is versatile, so it can be dressed up for picnics, BBQs and garden parties.

Fresh berries or slices of strawberry can bring out its red fruit notes.

For something bolder, a slice of jalapeo can add a subtle kick.

WHO BRITS TRUST MOST TO BUY THEM ROS IN THE RIGHT COLOUR

Partner: 31%

No one: 29%

Best friend: 15%

Mum: 11%

Sister: 4%

Dad: 3%

Colleague: 2%

Brother: 1%

BRITS FAVOURITE SNACKS TO ENJOY WITH ROS

Strawberries: 38%

Cheese and crackers: 19%

Crisps: 10%

Olives: 7%

Charcuterie meats: 6%

Ice cream: 5%

Salted nuts: 3%

Smoked salmon blinis: 3%

Bruschetta: 2%

Hummus and crudits: 1%

WHAT BRITS HAVE DRUNK ROS FROM

White wine glass: 53%

Red wine glass: 31%

Champagne flute: 20%

Pint glass: 11%

Tea cup: 11%

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