With rosés being the flavour of the season, many producers are adding pink to their ranges. If you're still not hooked on rosé, here are some that could change your mind.
In warm Mediterranean climates, dry rosé has long been the wine of choice for lazy lunches and dinner s under the stars.
What else would you drink with bouillabaisse in the south of France, paella in Valencia or prawns in Portugal?
No longer looked down upon as the lightweight stepchild in the wine family, there’s an ever-growing selection of wor ldclass rosé wines – right under our noses.
With so much interest vested in the bottle with the blush, best we bush up on our rosé knowledge…
Rosé had been a regular tipple in Europe for years, but it was in 1973, at Sutter Home Winery in St Helena, California, that it made its auspicious debut among new-world wines.
Owner Bob Trinchero, seeking to give his red Zinfandel more colour and flavour, used an old French wine-making technique called saignée (a French word meaning "bleeding").
Immediately after the grapes were crushed, he "bled" away some of the juice to make the remaining juice more concentrated as it soaked on the skins.
A friend suggested that Trinchero also save the saignée juice. He did and the people loved it. And rosé (or white Zin) was born.
ALLAN MULLIN'S FAVOURITE ROSE BUBBLY
Pinot Noir Rosé Brut Méthode Cap Classique, No added SO2, 2009 (R99.95, January 2011):
Exclusive to Woolworths, this limited release is as delicious as it is healthy. Extreme care is taken in the whole winemaking process to prevent oxidation as no sulphur dioxide is added.
The Pinot Noir gives a delectable pink hue to the wine as well as an enticing nose of ripe strawberries, raspberries and redcurrant.
The mousse is an explosion of bubbles on the palate leaving behind a sweetish red berry tang.
It is a mouthful of freshness and finesse that will add immense zest to any get-together.
(Simonsig Wine Estate)
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ALLAN MULLIN'S BEST ROSE FOR WEEKDAY DRINKING
The Parlotones "We Call This Dancing" Rosé 2010 (R49.95, January 2011):
The third wine shaped by the popular South African band is sure to equal the success of the first two, "Giant Mistake" and "Push Me to the Floor".
To quote The Parlotones’ lead vocalist, Kahn Morbee,
"This dry rosé will transport you to a place of romance laying amongst strawberry fields with a pale pink sunset as your backdrop as you sip on rose petals, raspberries, melted marshmallows and watermelon."
What can I add? Oh yes, The Parlotones wines are available exclusively in Woolworths stores in South Africa.
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