The TASTE case: six rosés for the long weekend
This month, Allan Mullins curates a case of six versatile rosés to put on ice for al fresco feasting, from picnics and braais to the big Easter lunch
1
Warwick Cape Lady Dry Rosé 2018 Visitors to Provence return enthusing about the region’s dry rosés – and the Warwick Cape Lady is a fantastic local example of this style. It has the classic coppery colour and flavours of dried herbs, wild strawberries and spiced stone fruit, the alcohol is low and the palate is elegant and complex with a creamy mouthfeel and tart finish. R69.99
2 Woolworths House Cultivar Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2018 White wine is splashed with red and the result is a pale salmon-coloured wine, (produced exclusively for Woolworths by Bosman
Family Vineyards), bursting with flavour. The citrus and creaminess of the Chardonnay, with the body and berry fruits of the Pinot Noir, make it a versatile partner for fish and poultry: think grilled linefish and seared game fish, and even small game such as quail. R49.99
3 Steenberg Dry Rosé 2018 This wine is best friends with salmon in all its guises: sashimi, smoked, poached, seared, in omelettes … Shiraz and Cinsaut mingle to make a dry wine with a pale coralpink hue, and a bouquet of watermelon, ripe sweet melon and garden herbs. Layers of fruit and spices on the palate leave you reaching for another glass. R89.99
4 Iona Sophie Le Rose Rosé 2018
Iona’s Sophie Sauvignon Blanc has taken the Sauvignon Blanc world by storm, and now the stylish Le Rosé is all set to do the same. Pale rose in colour, with summer berries on the nose and upbeat palate, it’s highly drinkable on its own or with a platter of sushi. R79.99
5 Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV Graham Beck’s Pieter Ferreira says it’s essential to always have two bottles of this bubbly in the fridge. Its silver-pink hue, a mousse that explodes with uninhibited exuberance, and flavours of freshly crushed berries all conspire to convince you that just one is not enough. R169.99
6 Bellingham Strawberry Rosé 2018
Who doesn’t love the vibrant red, luscious juice and delicious sweetness of fresh strawberries? This refreshing rosé has ripe strawberry flavours, along with hints of sweet melon and peach, leading to a smooth, rounded finish with brisk acidity. R49.99
The classic one
The one for a seafood feast
The one for a long brunch
The one to sip on its own The one to turn every occasion into a party The one that tastes like strawberries and cream