There's no denying it... rosé is THE drink for spring!
Below is a list of some of my favourite pinks right now. But there are so many incredible rosés, it was hard to pick just 5! So... keep an eye on this page, because the list is bound to grow as we head towards summer.
First up, I can't go past Cockfighter's Ghost Rosé.
This is my ultimate Christmas drink - it's a family fave, and we always smash through a couple of bottles during the festive season. Cockfighter's is in the Hunter Valley, and it's the sister winery to the better-known Audrey Wilkinson. It's named after a horse (as you can see on the label) and is made from single vineyard sangiovese. It's a lipsmacking beauty, full of fresh raspberry flavour and delicious subtle spice. This cellar door is absolutely worth a visit to the Hunter region. Enjoy a tasting, then grab a bottle of this rosé and sit on the deck or in beanbags on the grass overlooking a little lake, and sip the afternoon away. Bliss!
Next, a Margaret River marvel...
Where Cockfighter's is punchy and mouthfilling, this delicate Margaret River beauty is exquisitely soft yet no less flavoursome. It's from Miles From Nowhere - a winery which, I'm told, is literally miles from nowhere in WA. It's top of my list when I make a pilgrimage to Margaret River, that's for sure. If you have a sweet tooth, you're gonna love this pink. There's plenty of strawberry in there, with Turkish Delight, rose petal and some delicious hints of baking spices. This is a cracker with garlic prawns or fish pie.
Third on the list is something a bit more local to me, in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
Artemis Wines is a fairly recent discovery of mine, and I'm so excited to share it with you (although I'm a bit reluctant - for my sake I want it to continue to be a hidden gem!). It's a little off the beaten track, and has been named Best Small Cellar Door by Gourmet Traveller Wine a couple of years running. When you visit, you'll see why. The tasting counter is great, the staff are fabulous, knowledgable and helpful, and their outdoor seating area is sublime. Their ‘Saignee’ rosé is packed with lusciously ripe stonefruit and berries and a good whack of spice. Top tip: Go on a Sunday when they fire up the outdoor pizza oven.
Another favourite winery to visit is Adelaide Hills' Bird in Hand.
You'd be hard-pressed not to fall in love when you visit Bird in Hand. With sprawling lawns and vine vistas to die for, it's the perfect place for picnics with friends and family. And their wines are sensational too! Bird in Hand are all about gentleness and sustainability in the winery, and you can definitely taste it in the glass. Their rosé is vegan friendly, making it a great gift for any vegan rosé lovers in your life. It is made predominantly from pinot noir, meaning it's packed full of cherry flavours and a clean, crips acidity to finish. It's a stunner with a long lunch.
And while I'm all about supporting local right now, it wouldn't be a rosé roundup without ONE Frenchie....
...and of course, it's got to be from Provence! At the moment, I can't go past AIX Rosé. Provence is known for making the best rosés in the world, but I think Aussie producers are giving them a run for their money. Having said that, this pink is particularly delicious. It's fragrant, delicious and has a gorgeous salmon hue - characteristic of the region. It's super tasty, and you'll probably want to drink it all day. It pairs perfectly with a day on the ocean, so find a friend who has a boat (unless you're lucky enough to own one!) and get out there!
So there you have it. My rosé roundup for spring. But it's by no means an exhaustive list, and I'm sure I'm going to be adding to it in the coming weeks as we head towards summer. Do you have any favourites that absolutely NEED to be on this list? Let me know below! I'm always on the lookout for a new favourite.
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