Discover Three Shades Of Rose
Rose wines straddles the best of both worlds, radiating with freshness and fruit upfront just like a white and copious flavours and hint of structure that a red wine imbues the palate with. Not to forget the unmistakable pink colour of which there are many hues and styles, right from straight up easy drinking new world quaff to to estate quality exuberant blush and of course supremely stylish Provence that rules the world’s rose garden. There are so many fascinating hues of rose wine and as the world celebrated International Rose Day on June 23, we’re pouring out three of our brightest blush wines you’ll surely love.
Aix Provence Rose 2021
Rose wines appellations don’t quite get the limelight but when it comes to Provence in Southern France, region is the real star. Provence is worshipped for the quality of its roses and it itself blessed with a combination of classic Mediterranean climes and copious sunshine tempered by cold winds rushing down the Rhone Alps from the north and vines rooted in limestone that yield fruit of great flavour and acidity. Our very own Provencal rose wine import enjoys rockstar status for its sprightly palate and fruity character. The Aix Provence Rose is an opulent blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault top grapes of the Rhone, displays a capitivating salmon pink hue, derived from the skin of perfectly ripe grapes. The wine is delightfully fragrant, abounding with floral aromas and flavours of strawberry and watermelon, crowned with refreshing acidity. Maison Saint Aix owner and winemaker Eric Kurver makes just one wine and nails it to a level of brilliance that drove Wine Enthusiast magazine to put the rose on its best-of-the-best list ‘Enthusiast 100’.
Boekenhoutskloof, The Wolftrap Rosé 2021
Boekenhoutskloof winemaker Marc Kent doesn’t do ordinary and his rose expression is no exception to the rule, pushing the boundaries on the presumptions of a rose’s colour and taste. He picks his fruit from the estate’s Franschhoek parcels that thrive on the banks of the river Berg, benefitting from the mountains’ cool shadow and mineral rich sandstone soils. The rose itself is produced using the French ‘Saignee’ method which entails a few hours of skin contact before the juice is bled off, having taken on colour, flavour and character. All of these elements show through beautifully on this rose, showing a relatively deeper copper hue, perfume and fresh cherries from Cinsault and red berry tones by way of Grenache. Syrah sprinkles the blush wine with peppery notes and adds medium body in this gorgeous and bold South African turn of a cherished Rhone Valley style.