Brokenwood Rosato 2021

Red wine in winter, white and rosé in summer, sparkling wine for celebrations. Is it just me, or do you find these ‘rules’ restrictive and dull?

I live in Melbourne where jumper-weather runs from late March through mid-October. Heck, I still pack a cardie if I’m heading out at night in December. If I followed the rules, I would really only have a 4 month window to experience more than half the world of wine. It’s time to break some rules.

This rosato (named for its predominantly Italian varieties) is a perfect, pale, pink grapefruit hue. Enticing aromas draw you in – peach blossom, lychees in syrup, white nectarine and tropical delights like papaya and honeydew.

But don’t let the vivid fruit characters fool you. There’s no sweetness here – its not only dry, but savoury too. Italian varieties Nebbiolo and Sangiovese offer refreshing acidity and a crunchy Red Delicious apple texture, while Tempranillo lends a silkiness. There’s complexity if you are looking for it, but it’s not too cerebral to chill down and smash with a giant platter of fresh prawns. Wait, summer is a long way away.

This is a versatile wine and lends itself to being served lightly chilled to emphasise the spicy fruit. Pair with nourishing seasonal foods like roasted root vegetables and pan-fried winter salmon.