Spring must definitely be here judging by the change in the wines which are turning up at my door. And I have to say, that after this weekend, I am actually getting in the mood for summer now.
We had lovely weather in the ‘burbs of Cape Town this weekend and I took that as a sign from above that I was finally meant to drink all the rosé wines which I’ve received in recent weeks. So here is a round-up of 6 differing and delicious wines for you to try next weekend as the weather promises more good things on the way.
Obikwa Pinotage Rosé 2012 (R27 from major retailers)
Pinotage is the clear varietal of choice when it comes to pink, showing off its versatility in a whole host of different guises. This is an off-dry version which should appeal to plenty of people with sweet teeth – nicely-balanced still with some fresh acidity running through the finish.
Leopard’s Leap Lookout Pinotage Rosé 2012 (R37.99 from major retailers)
I’m a little suspicious of people punting rose as an ingredient in a cocktail – call me an old-fashioned purist, but I’m not terribly keen on mucking up my wine. So even though the PR company assures me this goes well with a muddled kiwi fruit, I have resisted the temptation to try, instead enjoying it perfectly happily on its own. Strawberry fruit, a touch of sugar, very pleasant drinking.
Flat Roof Manor Pinot Rosé Light 2012 (R35 from major retailers)
One of the more interesting combos when it comes to roses, this is a blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Pinot Grigio – a white grape originally from Italy. It’s a really unusual blend but actually, it works very well with lots of cheery red fruit and nice acidity. They’ve managed to keep the alcohol low too – 9% – and all in all, this is well-worth giving a try this spring.
Swartland Winery Blanc de Noir 2012 (R28 from major retailers)
Swartland are Pinotage-experts of note and it is great to see them remaining proudly South African in their choice of cultivar for this very popular wine. It is – to be frank – somewhat lurid in colour, but don’t let that put you off. Pleasantly off-dry, fruity, juicy – a tasty stoep wine for spring and summer.
Allée Bleue Starlette Rosé 2012 (R36 from the farm)
This is an unusual mix of red and white wine – 86% Shiraz which has had minimal skin contact and then 14% Sauvignon Blanc. It’s possibly the only time I’ve seen this combination but it does work rather well – the Shiraz giving lots of berry and cherry fruit whilst the Sauvignon adds freshness, zip and zing. Dry, but you can definitely drink it.
Haute Cabriere Tranquille NV (R45 from the farm)
‘Tranquille’ as in still, as in lacking any bubbles, is basically what this wine is all about because it’s the same blend as their hugely popular fizzes being 50% each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Because it uses the same wines as the bubbly version, it is lower in alcohol that some of their other wines (11%) and it is just dry, which makes it crisp and refreshing, whilst pleasing any crowd around.