A REVOLUTION is coming and it’s a delicate shade of pink.
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That’s according to Ash Raeburn and Sam Bowman from Bowman Wines, who released their 2012 Cabernet Rosé last week.
Rather than the sickly sweet, noxiously pink liquid traditionally associated with rosé, Ash and Sam have produced a dry, French-styled wine.
“We both admire French rosés; something dry and savoury,” Sam said.
“The use of red grapes gives it more structure than a white and makes it great to drink in the summer.
“It’s easy to drink and good to eat with antipasto platters, cured meats, Spanish tapas; anything you can sit in the sun and eat.”
Rosé is experiencing a resurgence of late on the back of social media campaign Rosé Revolution, which kicks off on November 14 and runs until after Valentine’s Day. Campaign organiser Trish Barry said the “education campaign” began in 2010 to start a conversation on the suitability of rosé as a summer wine.
“In the south of France they drink more rosé wine than white wine and it’s all about the dry style,” she said.
“We have started a conversation on twitter, trying to talk to consumers about how food-friendly this is.
“It’s about why it’s such a perfect drink for summer. It’s really taken off.”
The revolution has been based in metropolitan areas for the past two years, but organisers are keen to bring events to regional areas.
Trish urged any venues, cafes or bars around the region to think about how they could host a Rosé Soiree this summer.
The campaign has helped the wine move away from what Ash describes as a “bad reputation”.
“Rosé has been misrepresented in the past,” he said.
“Most people have bad experiences from the 1980s of sickly sweet wines.
“What we want to show people is there are good quality rosés out there and it’s the perfect spring and summer drink.”
Sam agrees the attitude to the wine is changing.
“It was often the second option for wine growers,” he said. “If they had some shiraz grapes left over they’d put them in to a rosé.
“Now it’s changing and people are growing fruit to make it.
“It’s taken more seriously now and there is some quality wine out there.”
Several vineyards across the Bendigo and Heathcote region have jumped aboard the Rosé Revolution, including Sutton Grange Winery and Balgownie Estate.
Balgownie Estate’s winemaker Tony Winspear said their sparkling rosé was an instant success when they started producing it three years ago.
“It’s absolutely a celebratory wine,” he said.
“The young ladies absolutely adore it. It looks great on the table, has summery colours and is a real crowd-pleaser.”
Tony said rosé was suited to Australia’s warmer climate.
“I think because we have such a warm climate it can be a bit hot to drink red wine for a couple of the months of the year.
“Something like rosé really suits our climate.”
Tony said the wine was best served “chilled, with your absolute best salads and some local smoked meats”.
“That’s absolutely perfect.”
Venues interested in being involved in the Rosé Revolution can find more information at www.rosewinerevolution.com