Coming up rosés...
lets drink pink
There’s no real logical reason as to why we like to drink rosé in the summer months – but let’s face it – we just do! Rosé wine has become synonymous with sunshine, alfresco dining and celebrating summer.
We have three rosés in our portfolio at Wiston – two sparkling and a still wine, and they are all made in different ways.
fifty summers rosé
Let’s start with our still wine – Fifty Summers Rosé. This was named ‘Fifty Summers’ as its inaugural vintage was 2022 which was Pip and Harry Goring’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. Pip is the inspiration behind vineyards at Wiston, so it’s thanks to her that we have any wine at all! (See Our Story for more information about the origins of Wiston’s wines). This rosé was made with Pinot Meunier from one of our partner vineyards in Kent and a portion of Wiston Pinot Noir. The grapes were gently pressed in our winery – the colour coming from contact with the skins in the press (no blending of red and white takes place with still wines). Once pressed the juice was then fermented at a cool 15°C in stainless steel tanks which helps preserve the delicate aromas and flavours. It was bottled in February, and released a couple of months later – making it our ‘fastest’ rosé from picking to drinking.
It is a delicious combination of juicy cherries, red currants and hints of peach blossom and white pepper. It makes an excellent aperitif – would go really well with something like barbecued shellfish or fresh goats cheese.
rosé nv
Next up is our Wiston Rosé NV – a traditional method sparkling wine. This is rather more complicated in the way it is made – if you want to know about the difference between ‘non-vintage’ and ‘vintage’ take a look at our blog here…
At harvest time, as well as making our base still wines (the first step in sparkling wine making) we also make a base red wine – made from the Pinot Noir grapes from our estate vineyards. When it comes to blending in spring we then blend this red wine with a selection of our base white wines to make a rosé – which will be made up of a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. We then bottle the wine for second fermentation in bottle (the traditional method) – where it remains for a minimum of three years, happily ageing away in our cellars.
When it is ready to release it the flavours will have matured and evolved – so as well as the lovely fresh fruit and floral notes you get a hint of freshly baked Victoria sponge, a hint of sherbet and ground almonds. A simply perfect summer aperitif – it pairs well with charcuterie, hard cheeses, and also seafood – such as fritto misto…
vintage rosé
Our Vintage Rosé – which all comes from the 2018 harvest, and is also made in the traditional method – is an opulent option for a sultry summer’s evening. Made from only Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (with a portion made as red wine and blended in at bottling), and fermented in old oak barrels, and with four years ageing in bottle – this wine is rich and complex. It has notes of dark cherries, blood orange, hints of wild roses and honeysuckle. On the palate the flavours evolve – ripe redcurrant and raspberry meld with vanilla, marzipan and brioche.
It is robust enough to work well with foods such as smoked fish or game, or would make a delicious companion to a barbecue medley.
