Coming up rosés

It’s time to lighten up, folks

VIENTO ALISEO ROSADO 2015 $16 Organic, biodynamically crafted rosé or “rosado”, from the folk at Dominio De Punctum in Spain’s La Mancha region. Made from 100 per cent bobal grapes (the name derives from “bovale”, after the bull’s-head shape of the bunches). Pale, ballet shoe pink and with strawberry shortcake and pink peppercorn aromas, it has a saucy, slightly salty side that cuddles up to the berry and rosehip flavours. Sip with: lamb skewers drizzled with yoghurt and pomegranate molasses. firstglass.co.nz

DOMAINE DE PENNAUTIER ROSÉ 2016 $20 Don’t let the ultra-pale, barely apricot hue fool you, because this southern French star has flavour in spades. Soft stonefruit, chalky delicacy on the nose leads to a snappy-dry, clean-as-a-whistle mid-palate that rolls out fresh rockmelon and pepper. Flinty and fabulous. Sip with: pan-seared gurnard topped with mint, melon and basil salsa. poshslosh.co.nz

WAIANA ESTATE INDIAN SUMMER HAWKE’S BAY ROSÉ 2017 $20 Waiana is owned by the Plowman family, who grow grapes on their property in the Tukituki Valley and this rosé is named after their twin daughters, India and Summer. Made using merlot and malbec grapes shepherded into the bottle by star winemaker Dave McKee, this is about as close to Provencale rosé as you’ll find in New Zealand. Dry, clean and boasting mountains of minerality. Sip with: chicken baked in rosé and grapes. advintage.co.nz