The rosé category is fast growing, with many, many wineries upping production to meet demand. The days of it being a "summer drink" are long past with consumer interest now well and truly year round. I get the impression that a number of consumers have switched from previous darlings, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris, to rosé with the wealth of offerings leaving them happily spoilt for choice. I have a soft spot for a glass of cool rosé on the deck at the end of the day ... a chance to relax and unwind before I tackle cooking dinner for the family. 2022 Main Divide North Canterbury Rosé Price RRP $21.99 Rating Excellent Pale onion skin. Pungent nose reminiscent of sauvignon blanc — capsicum, sweat, grassy, nectarine. Crisp, zingy acidity, racy and crunchy, fruit sweetness to the fore yet closes relatively dry. Wisps of red apple and smoke, picking up a saline influence on the finish. Fascinating, hits some different buttons very successfully. Fresh and zingy for summer. www.maindivide.com 2022 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Rosé Price RRP $24 Rating Very Good to Excellent Pale rose petal. Perfumed nose, watermelon, dried strawberry, gum, peach with time. Pretty classic strawberry and cream notes, perhaps a touch of apricot kernel adding a bittersweet nuance. The fruit sweetness will be more evident with time, some hard candy/wine gum and candied fruits on the close with a tangy note keeping it fresh. Nice balance. www.riverbyestate.com 2022 Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé Price RRP $24.99 Rating Very Good Very pale pink. Perfumed, some candied fruits, fragrance, then apricot, a hint of bonfire smoke with time. Lighter bodied palate playing in the sweet and sour spectrum along with a fruit pithy quality that adds to the texture. www.trinityhill.com 2021 Mont’Albano Chiaretto di Bardolino Price RRP $21-$23 Rating Excellent Orange blush. A more savoury aspect to the nose, toffee, white flowers, florality, perfume building over time. Orange zest leads the palate, apple, again savoury characters, a hint of tannic grip. Develops an appealing chewiness, dry yet there’s a sweet note akin to rosewater or turkish delight, a wisp of licorice too. Nice balance, complex and interesting. www.sartorinet.com/en/montalbano.php 2021 Yealands Reserve Marlborough Rosé Price RRP $22.95 Rating Very Good to Excellent Orangey onion skin. Fruit jubes and fruit sherbet, dusty stones, anise, spices. I’m reminded of West’s pineapple and pear cordial at first, before the flavours evolve to dried fruits, rose, gum and savoury notes. Good raft of flavours here with a neat lick of acidity coming in to keep this lively. A note akin to citrus on the close. Lots to enjoy. www.yealands.co.nz 2022 Jules Taylor The Jules Rosé Price RRP $25 Rating Excellent Pale pink. Fragrant and rather classic strawberries and cream aromas with savoury touches, an engaging subtlety. Creamily textured, strawberries again, nectarine bring its own freshness, a vein of acidity giving this lovely brightness. An attractive bittersweet quality adds contrast to the fruit. In a lovely spot for summer drinking. www.julestaylor.com 2022 Trinity Hill Thomson’s Block Rosé Price RRP $39 Rating Very Good to Excellent Pale onion skin. An umami/Marmite-y quality to the nose, warm baguette, berry fruits, mandarin. A drier expression, more serious shall we say, with tannic structure adding grip. Tighter and crying out for food. Opens out with aeration bringing cool, just ripe fruits and tangy hints into the mix, growing in length on the dry close. www.trinityhill.com 2021 Villa Maria The Attorney Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé Price RRP $29.99 Rating Excellent Orangey onion skin. Initially wisps of bonfire smoke and a tiny funky hint, shifting to pear, gum, red berries and a Mackintosh’s toffee nuance. Fruit sweetness evident, tempered by acidity, finishing dry. Nice depth here, a bowl of summer fruits, the creamy texture building, vibrant, a youthful side to this, yet drinking nicely now. www.villamariawines.com
