A glass of rose wine with a typical New Zealand summer lunch.
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Rosé wines are widely produced in New Zealand. Here is a comprehensive review of New Zealand’s major rosé wine-producing regions, including descriptions of the AVAs, soils, principal grape varieties, major producers, recommended wines, and tasting notes.
Marlborough
Marlborough is New Zealand’s most famous wine region, known for its Sauvignon Blanc and increasingly, its high-quality rosés. The soils are free-draining alluvial loam over gravel. The principal grape varieties are Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Pinot Gris.
Major Producers and Recommended Wines:
Villa Maria, Private Bin Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Cloudy Bay, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of red berries, citrus, and a touch of floral notes. The taste is light and refreshing, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.
Yealands Estate, Rosé
Bright pink, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced acidity and a refreshing finish.
Allan Scott, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of raspberries, red currants, and a touch of minerality. The taste is elegant, with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.
Kim Crawford, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and lively, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Central Otago
Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in New Zealand, known for its rugged landscape and high-quality Pinot Noir wines, including rosés. The soils consist of schist, gravel, and sandy loam. The principal red grape variety is Pinot Noir.
Major Producers and Recommended Wines:
Akarua, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Peregrine Wines, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of red berries, citrus, and a touch of floral notes. The taste is light and refreshing, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.
Mt. Difficulty, Rosé
Bright pink, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced acidity and a refreshing finish.
Quartz Reef, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of raspberries, red currants, and a touch of minerality. The taste is elegant, with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.
Felton Road, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and lively, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Scene in a winery in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand featuring rows of grapevines and a winery shop
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Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s oldest wine regions, known for its diverse climate and soils, contributing to the production of high-quality rosés. The terrain consists of alluvial plains, gravel, and clay loam. The principal red grape varieties are Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon:
Major Producers and Recommended Wines:
Craggy Range, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Te Mata Estate, Gamay Noir Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of red berries, citrus, and a touch of floral notes. The taste is light and refreshing, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.
Elephant Hill, Rosé
Bright pink, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced acidity and a refreshing finish.
Trinity Hill, Hawke’s Bay Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of raspberries, red currants, and a touch of minerality. The taste is elegant, with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.
Alpha Domus, The Pilot Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and lively, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Martinborough
Martinborough, located in the Wairarapa region, is known for its cool climate and high-quality Pinot Noir wines, including rosés. The soils consist of alluvial gravel and clay. The principal grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Major Producers and Recommended Wines:
Ata Rangi, Summer Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Palliser Estate, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of red berries, citrus, and a touch of floral notes. The taste is light and refreshing, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.
Escarpment, The Edge Rosé
Bright pink, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced acidity and a refreshing finish
Te Kairanga, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of raspberries, red currants, and a touch of minerality. The taste is elegant, with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.
Dry River, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and lively, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Waipara Valley
The Waipara Valley, located in North Canterbury, features diverse climate and soils, and is known for producing high-quality rosés. The soils consist of clay, limestone, and gravel loams. The principal grape variety is Pinot Noir.
Major Producers and Recommended Wines:
Pegasus Bay, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
Greystone Wines, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of red berries, citrus, and a touch of floral notes. The taste is light and refreshing, with a balanced acidity and a long finish.
Mud House, Waipara Valley Rosé
Bright pink, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and a hint of herbs. The palate is light and crisp, with a balanced acidity and a refreshing finish.
Waipara Hills, Rosé
Pale pink, with aromas of raspberries, red currants, and a touch of minerality. The taste is elegant, with a refreshing acidity and a long finish.
Mount Brown Estates, Rosé
Light pink, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh and lively, with a balanced acidity and a crisp finish.
These regions, producers, and wines showcase the diversity and quality of New Zealand’s rosé wine production. Each region brings its unique characteristics to the table, offering wine enthusiasts a broad spectrum of flavors and styles to explore.
See also the multi-feature series: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Rosé Wines of Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, USA, Australia and New Zealand.