Think... then drink pink

The estate believes that their launch of their Rosé 2008 has seen Hidden Valley Wines join the global renaissance of serious rosé.

The rosé is produced from selected vineyards at the Elim property, and has been crafted to show a fullness of character and flinty minerality that surprises many tasting it for the first time.

Winemaker Louis Nel explains, “Rosé has [sometimes] been seen as an over-sweet product of left-over red wine. It was regarded as something winemakers do to use up inferior grapes; but in better examples, nothing could be further from the truth.”

This rosé was created by Nel and assistant winemaker Corina du Toit from a blend of three cultivars, picked, pressed and fermented specifically for the wine. Its uniquely salty profile derives, Louis says, from Elim's maritime terroir; and makes it reminiscent of its “cousin”, the Land's End Sauvignon Blanc.

Its Bordeaux-style combination of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot separately fermented and resided on the lees for a period of three months. The result is a dry and savoury wine whose enjoyment is far from restricted to summery sojourns.

Land's End Rosé 2008 retails for R48 from Hidden Valley Wines, at Wineworx stores countrywide (phone 0800 659 427) and at Carlucci's online; http://www.carlucciswine.co.za.