2016 Rosé Rocks results

“Real men drink pink” well actually, real people drink pink. Let’s break any gender restrictions placed on Rosé and just love it because it’s a wine with an easy-going nature and a growing fan base.

Over the past few years, Rosé has grown in popularity and whilst many have lamented the success of Rosé believing it to be a money-maker which lacks thought and sophistication (perhaps, two years ago I would have agreed) it’s getting more attention from winemakers thus becoming more refined and not just a by-product of leftover grapes. This is great news.
Rosé is characteristically an easy-to-market wine, it will always have its place in the baskets and trolleys of consumers who are making a quick dash around the supermarket BUT, it now has a more serious side and that side is celebrated by the Rose Rocks competition of which I was a judge this year – I got to taste first-hand some delightfully interesting and complex numbers.

Rosé Rocks! is South Africa’s first dedicated rosé wine competition which seeks to recognize excellence in rosé winemaking and promote the SA ‘Rosé category.

Rosé is one of the fastest growing categories of wine in South Africa, and internationally. In South Africa alone, sales trebled between 2007 and 2014. This is exciting for consumers and winemakers alike, and there’s no doubt about it, rosé wines have sex appeal!

So, it’s time to stock up on the pink and get your hands on South Africa’s best Rosés for 2016….

The overall winning wine from the Rosé Rocks wine competition 2016 (which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel CT) is: Antebellum Saffronne Pinotage Rosé 2015

There were ten runner up wines and they are as follows:
Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2016
Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé 2016 (I’ve always been a fan, they featured in my Spring Wines choices)
Bellingham Strawberry Rosé 2016
Cavalli Pink Pony Grenache Rosé 2015
Excelsior Caitlyn Rosé 2016
Fable Mountain Vineyards Belle Flower 2014 (The label on this bottle, as well as the insides, are stunning)
Fish Hoek Cinsault Rosé 2016
Lace by Almenkerk Dry Rosé 2016 (An absolute delight to drink)
Painted Wolf The Den Rosé 2016
Thokozani Rosé 2015

The top Rosé MCC for South Africa for 2016 was:  
Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé

The three runner up Rosé MCCs were:
Boschendal Brut Rosé
Lord’s Wines Brut Rosé
Le Lude Brut Rosé (This was my personal favorite; steely, powerful yet gracious – the Grace Kelly of bubblies)