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2018 Umamu Rosé
Winemaker: Bruce Dukes -
2019 Chain of Ponds Innocence Pinot Noir Rosé
Winemaker: Greg Clack -
2019 Scarlet Ladybird Rosé
Winemaker: Brad Rey -
2019 Dowie Doole Rosé
Winemaker: Chris Thomas -
2018 Seville Estate Sewn Rosé
Winemaker: Dylan McMahon -
2019 Tahbilk Grenache Mourvedre Rosé
Winemaker: Alister Purbrick
Light salmon-pink hues, this wine is fresh and floral with hints of red berries. It’s a lovely start to a conversation – crisp, delicate red fruits, elegantly sophisticated and lingering.
What varieties do you use in this wine? We use 82 per cent cabernet franc and 18 per cent merlot. We wanted to produce the best rosé we could, and chose to make one in the style of a Chinon cabernet franc rosé of the Loire Valley in France, which are among the greatest rosé wines.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? It’s delicious on its own, and versatile as it pairs well with everything from delicately prepared seafood to sweet roast duck.
$30, umamuestate.com
Inviting, complex fruit aromas of wild strawberry, new-season peach and fresh raspberry. It has a voluptuous palate with intensity, drive and length, complemented by a subtle rhubarb lift and nuances of freshly baked sourdough.
What varieties do you use in this wine? It’s predominately pinot noir, providing a fresh fruit profile of strawberries entwined with delicate spice and a savoury finish. A small portion of sangiovese is used for its lifted raspberry notes and purity of fruit.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? It’s the perfect all-rounder, with its dry, refreshing, fruit-driven palate making it the ideal accompaniment to a barbecue with friends, casual lunch or relaxing under the afternoon sun.
$20, chainofponds.com.au
Our Scarlet Ladybird Rosé always comes up smelling of rose petals, with lovely, delicate edges, strawberries and cream, and fresh berry fruit.
What varieties do you use in this wine? Grenache from McLaren Vale and cabernet sauvignon from Langhorne Creek. Both varieties reach flavour development while retaining naturally high acidity. Grenache brings strawberries and cream, while the cabernet shows liquorice and herbal notes.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? This is a red drinker’s white wine, with a touch of phenolics, crisp acid and crunch. Serve it chilled on a warm summer’s evening, nibbling on chilled chicken, fresh Coffin Bay oysters and Spencer Gulf prawns. Or just with good company.
$22, zontesfootstep.com.au
It has a lifted bouquet and a dry, long and fine palate. Tangerine, pink grapefruit and orange peel is combined with strawberry and raspberry. It finishes with a lovely acid line delicately balanced with a slight phenolic grip from the vermentino.
What varieties do you use in this wine? We combine grenache and vermentino to produce a bone-dry, Provence-style rosé, with the fruit from the grenache balanced by the acidity of the vermentino.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? It can pair with charcuterie, seafood and Asian dishes, or be enjoyed on its own.
$25, dowiedoole.com
This rosé has a salmon-pink hue and floral, spicy and nutty characters. Fresh red berry fruit adds depth and intrigue to this textural style for enjoying now. It’s fabulous with spicy Asian dishes.
What varieties do you use in this wine? Mostly shiraz and cabernet. I like these varieties as they add perfume, red berry fruit and spice to the wine. Our rosé is a dry style, so it’s all about the texture and balance of fruit, and savouriness while still being delicious.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? Rosé is all about freshness and vibrancy, so enjoy it on all occasions. My favourite way to drink it is chilled on a warm summer’s day and paired with seafood grilled on a barbecue.
$27, sevilleestate.com.au
This is a dry and savoury rosé with easy appeal. Aromatic musk, spice and rose blossom hints lead to a lively, textural palate of vibrant red berry fruits and savoury nuances. The finish is bursting with a delicious acidity that delivers enjoyment.
What varieties do you use in this wine? It’s 59 per cent grenache and 41 per cent mourvedre, with the fruit is picked early to retain freshness and delicacy.
How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? This is an ideal aperitif style to share with friends. Due to its dry and savoury character, it is a perfect match with a vast array of dishes, particularly oysters, spicy Thai noodles or seafood paella.
$21.50, tahbilk.com.au
This selection of rosés appeared alongside six other top examples in the December/January issue of Halliday magazine. Get your copy or subscribe today.
