Clearly it must be Spring because the pink wines are literally FLOODING through my door at the moment! I like this – it reminds me that sunny days are coming, even though I know we should still be praying for rain whilst we get the chance. Here is a week’s worth of pink wine for you to try – a rosé for every day of the week!!
De Krans Pinotage Rosé 2016 – R45 cellar door
They have a new cool tasting at De Krans which pairs their wines with specially-made biscotti which is a very yum idea. This one goes with a mixed herb one and I have to say, it was a great combination, reminding me that rosé is synonymous with the South of France and herbs, garlic, salty feta cheese & pink wine is a match made in heaven.
Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2016 – R48 cellar door
Winemaker Van Zyl du Toit is well into his stride now at this Franschhoek winery winning top accolades for his Chenin and praise for his other wines. This wine probably isn’t the kind to win top awards, but it’s definitely the kind you want to drink which is rather better! Just-dry and with a crisp, fresh acidity, this is full of cherries with an edge of tobacco and spice.
Kleine Zalze Cinsault Gamay Noir Rosé 2016 – R49 cellar door
This is a highly-unusual combination involving grapes which have zero to do with each other in their native France. However, they’re both light-skinned grapes, packed with juicy berry flavours which makes them perfect for pinks. A small amount of skin contact gave the wine its colour and a little time on the lees added body to the bouncy berry flavours. Bone-dry, this will be great with seafood dishes.
Baleia Wines Syrah Rosé 2016 – R55 cellar door
Way down in Vermaaklikheid lies Baleia wines, just inland from Stilbaai. Here the Jouberts make cool-climate wines, influenced by the sea and this Syrah is a great example. It’s delicate and fruity with a pleasing hint of soft, sweet spice (although the wine itself is dry) – try it with seared tuna or perhaps a roast duck salad.
Eagles’ Nest Little Eagle Rosé 2016 – R65 cellar door
A nice combo of Merlot and Shiraz from this Constantia winery is lipsmackingly fresh and dry with plenty of clean, zippy, red berried fruit. And if you want another reason to try this wine – a percentage of the profits goes to raptor conservation projects, protecting the future for these stunning birds.
Steenberg Rosé 2016 – R80 cellar door
A new wine from Steenberg, this blends mainly Syrah with a goodly chunk of this year’s trendy grape – Cinsault – and the label also has those trendy words ‘whole-bunch pressed’, demonstrated by a burst of ripe berries and cherries in the wine. It’s in my favourite ‘dry pink’ packaging combination of clear bottle, white label, silver screwcap and the Bistro 1682 chef, Kerry Kilpin, recommends it with a chicken salad. Right ho then!
Fairview Rosé Quartz 2016 – R100 cellar door
What else would we expect from SA’s leading Rhône Ranger than a trio of Rhône grapes in this new stylish pink? Named for the decomposed quartz soils in which the grapes are grown, it’s a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, three varieties which love the sunshine and which are particularly well-suited to making rosé because of their thin skins. Slightly more serious than the others with some barrel ageing to add weight, try this with roast pork or chicken.