Maybe it's because moms tend to like pretty things that they like pink wines.

When we call to mind pink wine, many people think sweet, such as white zinfandel. Zinfandel is really a red wine grape, and it was actually an accident in the Sutter Home production of red zinfandel that produced the first white zinfandel. This new pink wine was pretty, sweet and uncomplicated. You could drink it cold or at room temperature and, best of all, Mom loved it. It was a huge hit.

Production of white zinfandel soared and suddenly zinfandel grapes were in demand. This spike in the popularity of zinfandel grapes saved zinfandel vineyards all over California. Before the white zinfandel boom, the demand for the zinfandel grape had slumped, and many old-vine zinfandel vineyards had been slated to be ripped out to make room for more profitable produce, such as pears and plums. Fortunately, the vines were saved. So old-vine zinfandel lovers owe a debt of gratitude to white zinfandel drinkers.

White zinfandel became so popular that even today the association of pink wines with sweet wines is very common. However, this association is not necessarily true. Pink wines are also known as roses. The classic European versions of rose wines are actually dry. They typically have some fruit or floral notes up front on the nose, but in general they do not have much residual sweetness on the finish.

The classic rose is a great food wine with nice acid structure and a bit more substantial body than your average white wine. They are typically meant to be drunk young and fresh. They go great with Mother's Day brunch items such as ham, turkey, salads, seafood, chicken, pork or salmon.

If you are torn between a bottle of white or a bottle of red, choose a bottle of rose, which incorporates pleasing elements from them both. Best of all, you can drink it cold, which can be very refreshing on a hot day.

Here are some classic roses that would pair wonderfully with the type of foods found in a Mother's Day brunch.