Reviewed: 24 November 2012

I have often commented that it is hard to assess a line-up of rose due to the diversity of styles. From the dry and savoury to the sweet and frivolous, you will find numerous examples on the market.

With wines like these, a little residual sugar is usually a good thing. It rounds out the palate and balances the tart mineral characters. An added bonus is that the wines are typically lower in alcohol than usual, with several wines in the tasting being just above 10%. This means that a glass at lunchtime or mid afternoon will not slow you down as much as other styles.

My clear favourite was the La Boheme which is made by De Bortoli. The relatively dry nature of the palate made this the best match for food. This was a good wine that happens to have been made in the rose style.

Whilst these wines are typically served chilled, don’t serve them too cold or you will loose some of the fruit flavours.

Reviewed

La Boheme – Rose – Dry Pinot Noir – Act Two – 2012 (17). Very pale colour here. The nose is a gentle, though attractive mix of red summer fruits. Despite the colour, the fruit strucutre on the palate is very good. This has a degree of depth to the flavours that was lacking on some of the wines. The red fruits build on quite a savoury finish. There is good length and the fresh acid adds life and vitality. My pick and a wine perfectly suited to food. (It was excellent with prawn linguine for dinner).

Angove – Rose – Grenache/Shiraz – 2012 (16.5). Vibrant pink salmon colour from the grenache. A relatively dry style that has floral notes over light, red fruits that are quite juicy. There is a hint of strawberry, with a nice savoury twist to close. A good wine that builds in the mouth with the touch of sugar adding flesh to the finish. Needs no food.

Harris Organic – Rose Muscat – NV (16.5). Just the merest hint of pink here. Lovely orange peel and apricot characters over grapey, muscat aromas. The palate is intensely sweet and quite viscous. There is enough acidity to keep the finish fresh. I am not sure if this should be classified as a rose as it drinks more like a dessert wine. This should actually drink very well with fresh fruit at the end of a summer lunch.

Luna Rosa – Rose – Rosado – 2012 (16.5). Paler colour than some and the nose is quite restrained. Plush, sweet fruit with good acidity and excellent length, aided by the soft acid. A touch of sweetness in the middle palate makes this an excellent choice for a warm afternoon drink served quite cold. The finish here was a highlight.

Scuttlebutt – Rose – Shiraz/Merlot/Sangiovese – 2012 (16.4). While the colour is quite light, there are more obvious fruit characters with a touch of orange peel and musk aromas. The palate is fresh and succulent with admirable length of flavours on quite a savoury finish. Not bone dry, but this is part of the appeal. A fun wine that is full of life.

Willow Bridge – Rose – Dragonfly – 2012 (16.3). A neutral, savoury wine that is really suited to some light foods or an antipasto. I like the acidity on the finish that cuts through to keep the palate fresh.

West Cape Howe – Rose – 2012 (16). Vivid pink colour. Subdued fruit characters up front. A soft, gentle, neutral wine with nice fruit to close. The palate is a touch viscous and quite dry with a finish that is a touch tart. A versatile wine that will please many.