This Valentine’s Day, I can’t think of a better tipple with your sweetheart than rosé.
Pink wine can be made from almost any red-skinned grape and in some cases white wine can just have some red thrown in to colour its rosy cheeks. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and oak barrels, they are both sweet and dry and the hue ranges from the palest shade to almost purple.
Here are my top rosé picks for your Valentine’s date night.
2014 Farr Rising Saignée, Geelong $30
Saignée (san-yay) means to bleed, and in winemaking this refers to “bleeding” off some juice from a red wine tank before it starts to ferment. It concentrates the contents of the red wine tank by reducing the amount of liquid in contact with the skins, and you get a handy by product, lovely pink wine. The Farr Rising is made from pinot noir and is barrel fermented, like a chardonnay, for argument’s sake. This is a rosé that can age. It has lots of barrel spice and sweet strawberry and cream elements. It is dry I hasten to add – rosé for red wine drinkers.
2014 Chalmers Aglianico, Heathcote $25
Chalmers Aglianico (ally-anicko) is also barrel fermented and is made from that grape that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s Italian in origin, and if there is an Italian grape the Chalmers don’t know how to make into lovely wine, I’m yet to try it. This is more spritely than the Farr Rising yet still offers a fullness from the barrel fermentation. It has red fruits, spice and creaminess. This will go well with a host of different foods, from fine dining to picnics.
2014 Levantine Hill Cabernet Franc, Yarra Valley $35
Levantine Hill rosé is made from cabernet franc. This is unmistakeably cabernet with ripe berry fruits and fresh herbs. It’s rich but not overbearing, it’s playful and gluggable with a great finish. Perfect for sun and frolicking.
2014 Hoddles Creek Pinot Gris, Yarra Valley $19.99
This isn’t labelled rosé, but it’s pink, so it counts. It has undergone skin contact, which is where the colour comes from. This is a style referred to at times as Ramato. It’s textural, like a nice piece of cloth, it’s aromatic and still has that telltale note of pears.
2014 Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Grenache Rosé, McLaren Vale $14.60
Now this is pink. It’s like a thousand squashed raspberries staining a white shirt. It smells like a bowl of red fruit and crushed green herbs with pepper and watermelon. It tastes like that too. Bring me a large glass, even some ice if you dare and drink in its crunchy berry freshness.
NV Jansz Premium Rosé, Tasmania $24.99
This sparkling wine is creamy, with flavours of vanilla, hazelnuts and dried fig.
