By Christine Salins.
Angullong Fossil Hill Rose
Rosé is the perfect tipple to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. If you’re looking for an alternative gift from the traditional flowers and chocolate, a bottle of Rosé fits the bill nicely.
And if you’re planning a romantic dinner, Rosé is a smart choice. Rosés are among the most food-friendly wines around, complementing a huge range of dishes from smoked salmon and lobster to veal and pork mains, and even strawberry desserts.
They’re a great compromise, too, when you can’t agree on whether to open a red or a white. Raise a rose-tinted glass to your loved one and celebrate in style.
Innocent Bystander 2021 Rosé, $20: Made from 100% Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, this blushing wine has flavours of red cherry, a romantic fruit if ever there is (see this week’s recipe column). A portion was barrel fermented for added texture and complexity, resulting in a nicely balanced crisp, dry drop.
Cupio pouch
Angullong 2021 ‘Fossil Hill’ Rosé, $26: Angullong’s Ben Crossing aims to make wines that not only have a sense of place – in this case, Orange NSW – but that also sit well on the dinner table. He’s certainly achieved that with this sophisticated and lively Sangiovese Rosé that goes beautifully with everything from chargrilled prawns to crackers with triple cream brie and quince paste. Yum!
Mitchelton 2021 Rosé, $28: With fragrant strawberry aromas and flavours, this Victorian beauty has a lovely balance of fruit sweetness and fine natural acidity. A real class act.
Innocent Bystander Rose
Peter Lehmann Wines 2019 Portrait Rosé, $20: There’s a touch of sweetness in this playful Barossa Rosé, made from dry-grown low-yielding bush Grenache with a touch of Shiraz for good measure. Redolent of strawberries and raspberries, it’s a delightful quaffing wine or a pleasing match with light summer dishes.
Cupio Pinot Rose Pouch 1.5L, $24.95: Cupio is the Latin word for desire so we have to include this one, don’t we? Packaged in a 1.5 litre pouch, it’s a non-vintage Riverland wine, light-bodied and unpretentious but with some attractive floral and spice notes, and hints of citrus and strawberry. Pop it on the table with an antipasto or charcuterie platter or take it on a romantic picnic.
