Cavit Pinot Grigio Rose 2009
(Italy)

Not many people realise that Pinot Grigio is actually a red (well pinkish) grape, so making a rose from it is relatively simple. As the craze for all things Pinot Grigio continues, look out for the arrival of sparkling Pinot Grigio rose in the Summer.

False Bay Rosé
(Western Cape, South Africa)

A fruit-driven, slightly spicy pale Rosé with summer fruits and boiled sweets on the palate and a lovely clean, dry finish.

Torres Santa Digna Rosé 2009
(Central Valley, Chile)

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wonderfully dark rosé shows nectarine and cranberry over a background of violet and orange with a lovely smooth finish.

Vina Chocalan Syrah/Petit Verdot Rosé 2008
(Chile)

“A joyful, sensual, refined and cherry red, this rosé is pure excitement. Opening with pleasant aromas of strawberries, raspberries and candied apples, this rosé wine is very fruity, clean and crisp with ripe fruit flavours of apples and redcurrants with a nice, neat finish. Chocalán’s 2006 rosé shows a sensual balance between power and delicacy, between lush body and lively freshness, between the complexity of a grand wine and the aromatic exuberance of youth. Adding to its appeal, this rosé also pairs well with a variety of summer dishes such as barbeque, chicken salad and coleslaw.” Winemaker’s comments. Winner of both the overall rosé trophy and a gold medal at the Wines of Chile awards.

Château l'Hestrange Rosé 2009
(Beaujolais, France)

Made at one of the highest estates in Burgundy the owner of this estate, Laurent Metge-Toppin (nick-named the ‘Mange-Tout’) has been described as “The flying wine-maker working in the clouds of Beaujolais.” If he was English he would also be politely described as ‘slightly eccentric’ as when not working on his own estate Laurent also consults at the Siam winery in Thailand where they harvest using both elephants and punt-like boats in the drainage ditches to carry grapes back to the winery for processing! In Thailand the current wine-vintage is 2553 as they use the Buddhist calendar.

Made by rather more conventional methods this wine is left to ferment with its skins for three days before the now lightly tinted juice is separated from the colourful skins. This results in a delicately pale salmon -pink coloured rosé with blackberry and strawberry fruit aromas and more red berry and slightly plumy fruit on the palate. Best served chilled (8º-10º) as an aperitif. Unusually for a rose it will keep for a few years gaining a nice spicy roundness with time.

As well as being served as an aperitif the clean dry style and freshess of this wine and can be drunk with the local "cuisine lyonnaise" from the region it is made in (delicious but wickedly unhealthy cream and butter laden dishes) or some spicy oriental dishes.

Always one of the top selling wines at our Summer Wine Festival.

Domaine de la Vieille Tour 2009
Côtes de Provence Rosé (France)

Domaine de Vieille Tour is a 22 hectare estate situated between Pierrefeu and Cuers in the golden triangle of Var. Its vineyards benefit from lying in a slight geographical depression which has a particular micro climate, encouraging long and even ripening of the grapes. The wine is a perfect pale pink and appealing with nice varietal Grenache fruit. On the palate it is soft , ripe and juicy. Very friendly clean fruit flavours, well balanced with some depth and even a hint of tannins and that tang so typical of Provence Roses on the finish.

Circumstance Cape Coral Rosé 2009
(South Africa)

Waterkloof's windswept vineyards are perfectly sited to produce fine, but ripe, delicately coloured rose.

Les Maitres Vignerons Carte Noire 2009
Côtes de Provence Rosé (France)

A group of vineyard owners from the Saint-Tropez peninsula set up this group in the 1960s and have since gained a reputationas leaders in the Provence region, both at home and abroad. The winegrowers each vinify their grapes entirely in the cellars of their own estates, while the organization oversees the distribution and sales. This wine comes from 120 hectares of granite/gneiss slopes, which enjoy mild year-round temperatures due to the proximity of the Mediterranean and a great deal of sunshine. A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault the wine was fermented at low temperature and bottled early without malolactic. A very refined, dry rose with an attractive floral aroma, redcurrant fruit and excellent length in the mouth.

Rimauresq Cru Classe Rose 2009
Côtes de Provence Rosé (France)

A pretty, pale pink Rose with very delicate floral aromas and an elegant refined palate showing gentle candied red fruits and strawberry characters. Predominately Cinsault, balanced by the characterful local grape, Tibouren and a slug of Mouvedre for structure.

M de Minuty Rosé 2009
Côtes de Provence Rosé (France)

The nose reveals purity and finesse and is initially rather restrained but quickly evolves with notes of tart red fruit such as red currants and raspberries. With aeration the wine takes on a riper character with notes of strawberry jam or raspberry jelly. A wine that also reveals floral aromas of roses and freesia. On the palate the wine reveals a rather refined attack with flavors of jammy red fruit. The acidity is evident and lends a thirst-quenching aspect to the whole. A lively and tasty wine that is enjoyable for its purity and finesse on the palate.