Kleine Zalze and Saffronne winners in Rosé Rocks 2016 |

Rosé Rocks again in 2016 with a host of varieties, sparkling and non

11/2016 Mike Froud Leave a comment

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Winning sparklers in Rosé Rocks 2016

THERE HAVE been leading Cap Classique sparkling wine houses fielding good Rosé for some time now, whereas there still aren’t many of South Africa’s very best red or white wine cellars that produce Rosé or Blanc de Noir or Blush without a bubble – and those that do seem to dabble in it occasionally rather than commit in a serious fashion year after year.

Nevertheless, the Cape’s Rosé industry is producing some world-class wines. So reiterated Cape Wine Master Allan Mullins at the second edition of the Rosé Rocks competition for the Cape’s pink (or salmon or onion-skin colour) wines at which he was chief judge. Also on the jury: wine writers Marthelize Tredoux, Shante Hutton and Malu Lambert, Test Kitchen restaurant sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka and Cape Grace Hotel sommelier Tatiana Marcetteau. And their pick of the 136 wines entered this time round: Antebellum’s Saffronne 2015 from Pinotage in the still wine category and the non-vintage Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé MCC from From Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%) in terms of the bubblies.

Contrary to the sweet style that was common on local Rosé shelves in the past, most of the good pinks these days are dry versions that can make for decent alternatives to various whites on the market – particularly at the poolside, at cocktail parties, picnics and fun times in general.