The second round of our new monthly series* (eventually we hope to have an event for every day of the week) is now upon us, and this time we chose to have a look at rosé wines from different continents. Again, not a traditional flight by any means, but we’re trying to treat these as an opportunity to try new things and explore different styles. How better to do that than with an entire third of the wine colour spectrum that we neither know, nor love? Consider this a disclaimer that we are neither fans of, nor experienced drinkers of, rosé wine.

I have to admit to a certain prejudice against rosés, though I couldn’t tell you where it came from. I remarked to Michelle, as we cruised around the aisles of the store with a basketful of pink wine, that I felt incredibly froofy and stupid. It’s a shame really, because I love a good sipping wine for the summertime and rosés definitely fit that bill; I just never developed a taste for them and find that they’re my last choice when it comes to purchases. Still, we were determined to have a go at them and at one point had a rosé from every major wine producing continent on the planet in our hands. Unfortunately, both budget and interest forced us to pare down our selection, but we did stick with pinkies from Europe (Spain), Australia, and Africa (South Africa). We also tried to pick rosés that made use of regional grape varieties where possible.

Banrock Station White Shiraz 2005

Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern
Producer: Banrock Station
Blend: 100% Shiraz
Alcohol: 12.4% (w/v)
Residual Sugar: LCBO Sugar Code 2 (D)

Price: $11.05 (CDN)
Visit the vineyard!

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Michelle described this Australian rosé as “summer by the lake”, which is a fairly apt descriptor. There were other Aussie pinks in the uppity section of the liquor store, but in an effort to try more mass consumed brands, we chose to sample Banrock instead. Although it was the one that we were least looking forward to, it ended up being a bit of a surprise favourite.

It, unlike the others, melded soft fruit with a contrasting sweet and citrus palate. The nose was very light, displaying typical strawberry, raspberry and floral aromas, but the addition of a slight herbaceousness (grass perhaps) gave it an outdoorsy quality that was very well-received. The palate was characterised by a sort of strawberries and cream effect, with a smooth and easy drinking texture combined with strawberry jam and some cinnamon for extra flavour. By far the sweetest of the three, it nonetheless avoided being candied or overwhelming.

Michelle’s Rating: Repeat Offender
My Rating: I’d Hit It

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Hermanos Lurton Rosado 2005

Country: Spain
Appellation: Vino de la Terra de Castilla y Leon
Producer: Jacques & François Lurton
Blend: Garnacha, Tempranillo
Alcohol: 12.9% (w/v)
Residual Sugar: less than 5 g/L (XD)

Price: $10.95 (CDN)
Visit the vineyard!

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We’re developing quite a taste for Iberian wines, and so were delighted to find several Spanish rosados hanging out at our local LCBO. This Lurton offering was chosen based on the blend of regional powerhouse varieties Garnacha (Grenache) and Tempranillo. The nose was my favourite of the three, reminding me of pink grapfruit soap from The Body Shop, which has been a staple toiletry for me since I was quite little (alas they don’t seem to make it anymore). Toss in some cooked rhubarb from Grandma’s garden, ripe strawberries and some earthiness for weight, and I figured this was sure to be the best of the bunch.

Unfortunately, it disappointed on the palate, coming across as a little too flat and watery to really be enjoyed. It was also fairly acidic, dry, and tangy, beginning with a faint strawberry before skipping mid-palate to end with an orange peel finish. We had hoped that the earthiness would carry over from the nose, making this a bit of a gardener’s paradise of a rosé, but to no avail.

Michelle’s Rating: I Wouldn’t Make Faces
My Rating: I Wouldn’t Make Faces

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Obikwa Pinotage Rosé 2005

Country: South Africa
Producer: Distillers Corporation Ltd.
Blend: 100% Pinotage
Alcohol: 12.8% (w/v)
Residual Sugar: less than 15 g/L (D)

Price: $8.90 (CDN)
Visit the vineyard!

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Last up was the South African rosé, from a colourfully labelled, affordable brand that we’ve been eyeing for the past few months, but just never gotten around to trying. If the Pinotage Rosé is any indication of the quality of the rest of the varieties, I think we’ll be saving our money and spending it elsewhere. While not garbage, the Obikwa wasn’t a gem in the rough either, falling in the lower half of drinkable.

Right away the nose gave some indication that we wouldn’t be singing it’s praises here on Grape Juice. An explosion of cherry outdid most other scents, and cherry isn’t generally something either of us are excited to find. Some strawberry peeked out from behind it, and there may even have been a little bit of mineral, but it was hard to say. It had a curious feel to it upon drinking, being a little metallic and almost oily. Flavour-wise it was essentially a medium-bodied cherry water; slightly tannic and finishing with the acidic zing of pink grapefruit. Again, not horrid, but definitely not something I would ever consider buying again.

Michelle’s Rating: I Wouldn’t Make Faces
My Rating: I Wouldn’t Make Faces

* The flight was conducted to be written up for September 1st, but amidst a rather hectic couple of weeks, we’re just getting around to posting it now. Friday Night Flights are still scheduled to occur on the Friday closest to the end of the month.