It’s not so much a trickle but a flood of gorgeous new pink drinks hitting stores as a celebration of summer, says wine writer Joelle Thomson. Who shares fine rosé wines from Aotearoa.
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This lovely lineup has one thing in common: all three wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes. It’s not hard to imagine a red grape used to make pink wine, but why do some look deeper in colour than others? All wine’s colour comes from the grape skins, so if given brief or no contact with the juice, the wine will be blush, pale or white. Read on to see the rosé Thomson is sipping right now.
Big on flavour but light-bodied, this 2022 southern rosé is packed with summer scents, like berries, ripe cherries and cranberries. Its great flavour concentration comes from hand-picked grapes, fermented at cool temperatures to preserve fruity aromas and provide freshness. This is rosé with the X factor.
Graze with: summer salad snacks such as celery and fresh hummus.
Serve with: Sashimi and chicken sushi.
Rating: 18.5/20
This is one of the best 2021 pink wines from the Deep South. Grown in Central Otago, it tastes utterly delicious. A little barrel fermentation adds depth and body to this wine. If you want a lovely rosé to enjoy with the rich, decadent flavours of salmon, here it is.
Graze with: smoked salmon on blinis.
Serve with: hot smoked salmon with fresh salad leaves and toasted hazelnut dressing.
Rating: 18.5/20
This bottle of blush bubbles was made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in northern Wairarapa at Matahiwi Estate vineyards. This is where grapes were given minimum contact time with their skins to gain a pink colour and then fermented to taste dry. At the same time, it went through a second fermentation in the tank to add the fizz. It’s fresh, affordable and super tasty.
Graze with: salmon and seed crackers.
Serve with: pan-fried fish.
Rating: 17.5/20
At home with food stylist Fiona Hugues.