Entries wanted for Australian rosé tasting

With the ever-growing popularity of rosé in Australia and throughout the world, the Wine & Viticulture Journal will endeavor to explore the evolution of local styles priced at over $20.00 in an upcoming tasting.

The WVJ’s last extensive tasting of Australian rosé occurred in early 2006, which was followed by smaller tastings of sparkling rosé and rosés made from ‘alternative’ varieties in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

In the 2006 tasting, which comprised 26 Australian rosés, winemaker Charlie Melton, who sat on the tasting panel, said the entries could be divided into two distinct styles: Pinot Noir styles that were more Old World in their complexity and exhibited savoury characters, and styles predominantly made from Grenache that were sweeter and more aromatic than the other category.

“If there can be any criticism of the style of rosé currently being produced, it’s that there is still too much sugar being used to cover incorrect winemaking practices or the use of poor fruit,” said winemaker Scott Heidrich, who joined Melton on the tasting panel.

“No-one has really sat down to decide on a style for Australian rosé to move forward with, meaning producers are going ahead and making greatly differing styles.

“I believe a little more mouthfeel and texture would be a good direction to head in to ensure the wine’s food-friendliness which was the original intention for rosé in the Old World,” Heidrich said.

Forming a snapshot of which direction the style has headed in since 2006, especially in the over $20 category, will be the aim of the WVJ’s latest rosé tasting.

Australian producers interested in submitting a wine to the tasting should get in touch with Hans Mick ([email protected]) in the first instance by no later than Wednesday 1 May.

Entries will be accepted on a first-in-best-dressed basis.

The results will be published in the Winter 2019 issue of the Wine & Viticulture Journal.