NOT so many years ago, the supermarket shelves had little choice when it came to rosé wine.

There was always that stuff in an odd shaped bottle from Portugal (incidentally the wine producers in the Franken region of Germany will tell you that the shape was borrowed from them.) And there was always a sweet, insipid example of Rosé d'Anjou to put you off further.

But good, dry and crunchy rosé is a fantastically versatile wine for hot summer days and nights. It comes in many styles. If the skins of the grapes have a very short contact, then the wines are less full and will take on only a faint pink hue. Those wines that have had more skin contact are fuller and more likely to appeal to those that usually favour red wines.

These days the rosé drought is no more and I'm struggling to think of any big name wine producer that hasn't got one of some description on the market.

In fact, we pink drinkers are spoilt for choice. So much so that I can be country specific with this rosé selection.

I was able to taste through a good number of pinks during an evening put on by Wines of South Africa in London last week. A balcony, a posh building in the Strand overlooking the Thames, the sun shining, no wonder it was a popular table at the event.

Kumala Rosé 2006 is widely available and given that it costs less than five pounds, would be well suited to a barbecue. Its red summer fruit flavours and aromas are spicy and lightly perfumed.

Leopard's Leap Pinotage Rosé 2006 at Thresher (don't forget the permanent three for two offer) is a step up. It's full, with crunchy raspberry fruit and is aged on its lees to add more complexity.

Beyerskloof Pinotage Rosé 2006 maintains the varietal character of South Africa's signature grape, too. This is full with smoke, spices and red fruit flavours.

My favourite, and I've been enjoying other wines from this producer recently, was Boshendal Rosé 2006. A seriously toothsome pink, full and dry to perfection, it has summer fruit and nettle tea flavours, with spices and good length.

  • There's an Argentine barbecue and race night being held on Friday, July 6, from 7pm until late, at the Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Kirk Hammerton.

The event will be held in a field, wellies and flowery dresses are named as suitable attire (I'm assuming that's just for the women), and if you want to stay overnight then bring a tent.

There will be more than 20 wines to chose from, more finest imported Argentine beef than you can shake a toothpick at and expert tango tuition. Tickets cost £30, with all profits going to the wine trade benevolent fund, and are available from paul@rumpus-comms.com, telephone 0161 942 9988.


  • Kumala Rosé 2006, £4.99 from Asda, Sainsbury and Tesco £4.99 16/20
  • Leopard's Leap Pinotage Rosé 2006, £6.99 from Thresher 17/20
  • Beyerskloof Pinotage Rosé 2006, £6.99 from Tesco.com 17/20
  • Boshendal Rosé 2006, £6.99 from Majestic and Sainsbury's 18/20