NEW YORK and WASHINGTON - Rosé, “the pink wine category,” is now valued at $207 million, according to VinePair, a media company dedicated to news and information about alcoholic beverages.

The rosé wine-style has been around for centuries, but it began going mainstream in America about eight years ago, depending on the geographic region. Since then, the demand has resulted in an immense supply of the pink drink. Nielsen, the consumer research organization, reports that rosé production jumped 53% from 2016 to 2017 and continues to grow.

Because it is crisp, light and refreshing, rosé is an ideal drink for a summer’s day. Many consumers love it served ice cold, a fact that causes the most serious wine consumers to sneer.

“One out of every 36 bottles of wine Americans drank in 2017 was a rosé,” said Elin McCoy, Bloomberg wine and spirits columnist. “We show no signs of giving it up. Naturally, winemakers from every corner of the globe want to cash in.”

Reasons for the huge volume is that rosé is easier to produce than other wines from both a time and labor perspective, and the bottles can be ready for market in as little as four months. Plus, rosé is well priced, with good bottles starting at about $11.

In other wine news, two companies are turning wine into water, according to The Shelby Report and FoodBev Media.

Wine Water, an Israel-based start-up, produces O.Vine, while Napa Hills, a Chicago-based company, makes Vineyard Enriched Water. Both new drinks use wine grape skins to obtain the same healthful extracts and antioxidants, such as resveratrol, that are found in wine.

Wine Water and Napa Hills are hoping to reach consumers who want the health benefits of wine without the alcohol or the hangover.