Today is New Zealand Rosé Day, which just goes to show that this is not only the first country in the world to see the sun (the Chatham Islands excepted) but also the first to promote its soaring production of pink wine each year.
Rosé is on a roll and wine lovers are putting their money where their mouths are to buy it, even in these rather tough financial times. Wine retail sales reveal a continuous rise in rosé sales globally, including in New Zealand where production has risen alongside that of Pinot Noir, much of which is now planted specifically to make rosé rather than rosé being something of an after thought. The same stands true of many wine regions and countries around the globe where rosé rises while some other wine sales slump. Take France, for example, of a country where a common mantra is that many young people do not engage enthusiastically with wine but where rosé sales have outsold those of white wine nationally since 2013.
That's another story. Today is all about New Zealand rosé and the following 10 wines are among the best that have made their way into my glass over the past 12 months. Suffice to say, there are many, many, many more.
International Rosé Day is marked each year on the fourth Friday in June.
Ten of the best... New Zealand rosés
Try these
17.5/20
2023 Three Fates Hawke's Bay Rosé RRP $35
Three Fates is a brand new wine label, produced by three young women including Holly Russell, daughter of winemaker Gordon Russell. This wine successfully straddles two camps - rosé and chillable light bodied red, which gives it a real edge for wine lovers since chillable reds are all the rage right now. Hawke's Bay is home to some of the driest tasting light rosés in the country and this crisp and deliciously dried red fruit scented wine is a great example.
17.5/20
2024 Emma by Trinity Hill Rosé RRP $34.99
This gorgeous looking rosé is a medium pink colour with a stunning floral design by New Zealand photographer Emma Bass, whose work features her passion for flowers. Montepulciano grapes bring fleshy flavours of ripe plums in a light bodied style to this lovely, dry pink wine with its vibrant freshness.
Buy from www.trinityhill.com
2023 Q Rosé Waitaki Valley RRP $35
One of the best and from the little known, windswept beauty of the Waitaki Valley on the border of North Otago and South Canterbury. Dry flavours of watermelon and summer berries are captured in a light bodied wine with a lingering, flavoursome finish.
Buy from Qwine.co.nz
2024 Eradus Marlborough Rosé RRP $22.99
Dry, light bodied, quirky blend of 48% Pinot Gris, 48% Chenin Blanc and 4% Pinot Noir, which intermingle in this dry, fleshy rosé with its notes of ripe pear, summer berries and a fleshy texture with a long finish, thanks to the acidity that Chenin Blanc brings to the table.
Buy from stoneponywines.co.nz
16.5/20
2023 Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Rosé RRP $20
This light bodied rosé comes from the interesting, often challenging 2023 vintage in Hawke's Bay and stands as a testament to great winemaking with its light bodied style and lively zing.
Buy from www.trinityhill.com
2021 Astrolabe Comely Bank Pinot Rose Marlborough RRP $25.99
Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris combine in this dry rosé made by winemaker Simon Waghorn. This wine has a medium body and long, flavoursome finish with aromas of raspberries, strawberries and a bone dry finish, which adds refreshing depth.
Buy from Astrolabewines.co.nz
2023 Escarpment Rose Martinborough RRP $25.99
Inspired by rosé made in the south of France, this fresh, fruity wine is made in Martinborough from Pinot Noir grapes, which bring flavours of summer berries, such as strawberries and raspberries. The grapes are grown in the Te Muna Valley, east of Martinborough village.
Buy from escarpment.co.nz
2024 Soho White Label Rosé RRP $26
Soho Rosé ozes summery appeal in a light bodied, pale pink wine with flavours of fresh strawberries and a creamy mouthfeel with a light hint of fruity sweetness and a dry finish.
Buy from Sohowineco.com
2023 Porters Pinot Rosé RRP $28.99
Martinborough Pinot Noir is famous with Pinot lovers so it stands to reason that rosé would also be on the rise in this wine village, which is the heart of the Wairarapa wine region. This wine is dry with a light colour, fresh vibrant summer berry flavours and a long finish.
Buy from Porterspinot.co.nz
2022 Oblix Rosé RRP $22.99
New brand from Sir George Fistonich, one of New Zealand's wine visionaries. This rosé is packed with aromas of strawberries and ripe fleshy stone fruit in a light bodied wine that drinks well now and over the next two years.
Buy from www.cuvarwinery.com/fistonich-family-vineyards/
