Many people's perception of rosé is that of the strange neon-pink stuff that Grandma likes to drink.
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Well, did you ever stop to think that maybe, after all these years, Nanna might be onto something?!
“Rosé’s much better when it’s chilled for total refreshment, especially after a breath-taking game of bowls with friends down at the club,” devoted Grandmother and keen lawn bowler, Nanna Maureen, explains.
American novelist, Jay McInerney once quipped, "Anyone who starts analysing the taste of a rosé in public should be thrown into the pool immediately.”
Well, hold onto your LI-LO’s . . . For, as Nanna ‘Reenie’ just noted, a well-made rosé has the ability to crush a thirst like no other wine. Particularly after an active bout of bowls, or when sipped poolside on a hot Hunter Valley summer’s day.
“Rosé has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years,” says Meerea Park’s Garth Eather. “It makes sense. The wines suit our climate perfectly.”
Bottle shop shelves tell the new story – there’s a plethora of choices and price points for rosés.
Rosé wines get their colour from the red skin of the grapes. A winemaker determines the depth of colour by deciding how long to leave the juice in contact with the skins.
Typically, the shorter the time the lighter the colour.
Rosé can be made from just about any red wine grape variety in existence. Some are better than others. Most Hunter Valley winemakers tend to use merlot or shiraz, sometimes pinot noir, or a blend of either. Other lesser known and somewhat harder to pronounce red grape varieties include sangiovese, tempranillo, and mourvedre.
Rosés range from the lightest shades of pale onion-skin pink to salmon (very trendy in recent years), coral and ruby red; generally speaking, the darker the colour, the more intense the wine.
Scents and flavours depend on the type of grapes used, but will typically sit along the spectrum of red fruits and florals, subtle spice, citrus zest and melon.
“I seriously love rosé and I’m stoked to see these wines getting more attention,” says Oakvale Wines winegrower James Becker. “There are loads of different expressions and styles of rosé wines that Australian winemakers are producing that are really intriguing and delicious to drink.”
Like a hot summer romance, most rosés just aren't made to last. They’re a drink best served chilled, on warmer days; outdoors, in the shade, with a lover, or with friends; a picnic and a light breeze. Perfect for the impending Hunter summer . . .
Here’s eight top Hunter Valley rosés to smash this summer.
VINDEN
2018 Hunter Valley Rosé, Vinden Headcase, 12.5%, $30. Pretty pink sky tinted, rose petals, watermelon and strawberry, vibrant, fine, and finessed. Will make a rosé reformer out of anyone.
MEEREA PARK
2017 XYZ Rosé, Meerea Park, 12.5%, $25. Pale, red-citrus tinged, pearlescent pomegranate and strawberry fruit scents. Juicy and slippy in the mouth. A lovely summer sunset sipper.
AUDREY WILKINSON
2018 Rosé, Audrey Wilkinson, 13%, $23. Fairy floss pink, nose of musk, tart raspberries and cream. Fruity, crisp and nigh on dry. A cracking summer quaffer.
KRINKLEWOOD
2018 Francesca Rosé, Krinklewood, 11.8%, $25. Dusky pale pink, citrus, tart raspberries and sweet rose water aromas entice. Delicate, light and dry. An ultra-refreshing wine for Sunday lunchtime.
OAKVALE
2018 Rosé, Oakvale Wines, 11.5%, $26. Pale salmon, blushing apricot pink, pitching gorgeous strawberry, peach and juicy watermelon aromatics. Refreshing cranberry crunch; dry and savoury for days.
HART AND HUNTER
2017 Black Series Rosé, Hart and Hunter, 12%, $25. First light, deep sky pink, sweet strawberries, juicy raspberries, mildly herbaceous white pepper spice. Plush, soft and supple.
LITTLE WINE CO
2016 Sangiovese Rosé, Little Wine Co., 12.4%, $22. Copper-cherry red, savoury spice, raspberry and melon perfumes. Tangy cherry, tart cranberry and pomegranate jewels. Crisp, fresh. Sweet and savoury.
USHER TINKLER
2018 Enneagram, Usher Tinkler Wines, 12%, $30. Not your grandmother’s rosé (and not technically a rosé, for that matter). A juicy, red, carnival of raspberry-cherry cordial contrasts with crunchy and savoury, super fun textural moreishness.
TOP DROPS FROM HEATHCOTE 2018 WINE SHOW
HEATHCOTE GRAND TERRIOR
Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard Shiraz 2012, 2014, 2017
BEST WINE GROWN AND MADE IN HEATHCOTE
Sanguine Estate 2017 Progeny Shiraz
BEST SINGLE VINEYARD
Sanguine Estate 2017 Progeny Shiraz
BEST SHIRAZ
Sanguine Estate 2017 Progeny Shiraz
BEST OTHER WINE
Tar & Roses 2017 Heathcote Tempranillo
CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY
Galli Estate 2017 Camelback Montepulciano
BEST SPARKLING WINE
DeBortoli Wines NV Woodfired Shiraz
BEST WHITE WINE
Tellurian 2017 Viognier
BEST ROSE STYLE WINE
Chalmers 2017 Rosato
BEST YOUNG SHIRAZ
Sanguine Estate 2017 Progeny Shiraz
BEST OLDER SHIRAZ
Condie Estate 2015 The Gwen Shiraz
BEST MUSEUM SHIRAZ
She-Oak Hill Vineyard 2012 Estate Shiraz
BEST MEDITERRANEAN (SINGLE)
Tar & Roses 2017 Tempranillo
BEST MEDITERRANEAN (BLEND)
DeBortoli Wines 2017 Villages Tempranillo, Touriga
BEST CABERNET
Paul Osicka Wines 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
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