Rose Wine Review with Kristine
By: Kristine Aitchison
WOOHOO, summer time is just around the corner and already the temperature is heating up. I live in a freezing cold Auckland villa that only gets sun in the bathroom and the toilet, and I’ve found myself walking around the house in a t-shirt and barefoot recently, (instead of the usual attire of a jumper, beanie, scarf, puffer jacket, thermals) so it’s a definite sign of things to come.
So what does summer mean to you? To me, it means long days at the beach, reading books for fun (not just academia), swimming, Jandal tan lines, BBQ’s, and of course long afternoons in the sun, with friends, sipping on chilled wine. This month I tried two Rose (pronounced Rose-aye) and an easy drinking Sauvignon Blanc, which will go nicely with those warm summer nights.
At Foodtown they had the Nederburg Pinotage Rose 2010 at $9.99. Pinotage is the signature grape variety from South Africa, a cross between Pinot Noir and a variety called Cinsaut and comes in a really funky shaped bottle. Deep bright pink in colour, with strawberry aromatics, this wine had a balanced sweetness with refreshing acidity, but not a super sweet wine for those who prefer a dryer Rose.
The Kim Crawford Pansy Rose 2009 is another great special at Foodtown at $11.99. From Gisborne and made predominantly of Merlot grapes, it is a deep pink colour in the bottle, although lighter in the glass; exuding strawberry aromatics and slight fruit acidity to taste, with a medium sweetness and a dry finish.
However my favourite, was the Glengarry Wines Three Paddles Sauvignon Blanc 2011, a little more at $14.90. From the Martinborough region, light straw in colour, with aromatics of melon and vibrant fruits and a fresh, crisp, dry, mineral taste. I loved this Sauv, because it didn’t have your usual jaw gripping tangy finish and that’s from someone who doesn’t usually drink Sauvignon Blanc drinker.
Well that’s the last booze review for this year folks, good luck for the end of semester everyone and I hope you have an amazing summer…I know I can’t wait!!!!