Capital Wines The Abstainer Rosé 2021

One of the things I try to look for in a rosé is low to medium alcohol levels. At 12.2%, the Capital rosé definitely hits that target. It’s a smashable rosé that won’t leave you reeling from the alcohol if you enjoy it with too much gusto.

Made from Sangiovese, I can see a little bit of cherry fruit character. In fact it’s got a lovely bit of softness on the palate giving a juiciness to the flavours. There’s a raspberry confection note too but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s sweet; plenty of dry acidity cleans this rosé up nicely on the finish.

If you were to match it with food, I’d go with sashimi. Or anything that is mildly flavoured with a touch of salty savouriness to highlight the fruit flavours in the wine. Rosé of course, especially when it’s been made in this clean simple style, is always fine to enjoy on its own.

Fergus McGhie

A native Canberran, Fergus is a wine fanatic who happily works in one of Australia’s finest small vineyards right in his own back yard. His fine dining restaurant training proved more useful and nearly more interesting than an arts degree at the ANU and a love of wine followed. Vintages as a cellar hand removed the mystique but didn’t quell the love. As a wine retailer, Fergus learned there is always another great wine around the corner and as a wine writer for The Canberra Times he learned that the stories behind the wines make them taste better. An occasional show judge and snowboarder, he has a guilty love of simple, uncomplicated wine, craft beers and a well-made Negroni.