Cape Coral Rosé release rounds off rosy decade at Waterkloof Wines

"In our quest to produce truly fine wines of vitality, individuality and sustainability, emphasis was placed on matching variety to terroir, rather than planting varieties that were popular in the market. All the 'experts' told us to avoid Mourvèdre, as it is an unsellable and difficult variety in the wrong place. Today Mourvèdre is the most planted red variety on the estate and the results are bearing fruit in our Cape Coral Rosé", shares Waterkloof's proprietor, Paul Boutinot.

"To produce elegant wines with a true sense of origin, it is essential to plant a varietal which is best adapted to the area. We believe that Mourvèdre should always be able to see the ocean and so it does in our rocky granite soils, where warm summers and cooling breezes from False Bay impart great flavours and remarkable complexity to the fruit. Waterkloof and Bandol in Provence bear some striking similarities," adds winemaker Nadia Barnard.

Esteemed British wine critic, Jancis Robinson, seems to agree with Barnard as she featured the Cape Coral as her Wine of the Week earlier in the year, describing it "to all intents and purposes as a great value alternative to a dry, herby Bandol rosé".

It is a sophisticated rendition that challenges the frivolous stereotypes that are often associated with rosé wines. It retails at R95 a bottle and is available at the Waterkloof cellar, selected wine outlets and leading restaurants.

For more information, go to www.waterkloofwines.co.za.