Best Value Wine Guide 2012

Articles and Directories

• Best Value Awards
• Best Value Cellar Overall
• Best Value Cellar Directory
• Best Value in Numbers
• Best Value Wine Guide 2011

Best Value Wines

• Best Value Whites
• Best Value Rosé
• Best Value Reds
• Best Value Port and Sherry
• Best Value Dessert and Sparkling Wines

Best Value Rosé

The judges use a standard 20-point scoring system: 5 stars awarded for a score of 18 or more, 41⁄2 for 17 and 4 stars for a score of 16, 31⁄2 for 15.5 points, 3 stars for 15 out of 20 and 21⁄2 for 14.5 points. Wines rated lower than 21⁄2 stars were not eligible for inclusion in the 2012 Best Value Wine Guide, with the judges endeavouring to help consumers steer clear of plain ordinary wines in addition to those that are faulty or possibly even unpleasant.

	Superlative wine, top class; a masterpiece
	Excellent, wine of distinction (41⁄2 Stars = on the cusp of 5 Stars)
	Good (3 Stars) to very good (31⁄2 Stars). Fine character and style.
	Average, appealing
	Acceptable, ordinary
	Half a star, as in 21⁄2 Stars, 31⁄2 Stars, 41⁄2 Stars

Rosé can be made from any red grape variety (they usually tell you which one on the label), which affects its flavours, although a great many are derived from Pinotage because of its abundant fruitiness. Below are 10 of the top Best Value rosé wines of 2012, four of which were awarded the highest accolade (V19 or V20) for their combined high quality score and affordable price.

75 rosé wines were entered and 55 judged for the Best Value Wine Guide 2012. Of these, 22 made the grade and have been featured in the guide. To see all finalists buy the book now.

ROSÉ

Live a Little Rather Revealing Rosé
R21.00		V20
This is a flirty girl, kicking up her heels and showing a bit of leg as her skirts whirl around while she dances wildly... Just the colour seduces with its raspberry pink hue. Add to that candyfloss and toffee-apple caramel aromas and flavours and you have a wine with broad appeal. It’s dry and tangy with blueberry ripeness and a light chalky grip. From Stellar Organic Winery. (Note: subsequent to judging the name of this wine was changed to Woolworths Organic Diving Hawk Rosé.)
Tulbagh Winery Rosé 2011
R21.50		V20
Good consistency from this winery since it got a full-house value award for the previous vintage of this deep pink wine. Expect to find whiffs of tangy raspberry fruit on the nose with some sweetish plum and mulberry flavours on the palate. Acidity is lively and fresh, adding a nice zip to the palate. It has good length of flavour, lingering long, which makes it a good food wine.
Aan de Doorns Blanc de Noir 2011
R22.00		V19
Reddish pink in colour, this wine is reminiscent of a pot of berry jam – cherries, berries and even strawberry abundance. There’s a lot of the same on the palate too – sweet chalky raspberry flavour with a light floral overlay. Peachy pomegranate tang lifts it and stops it from cloying. It’s a commercially popular style with broad appeal.
Bernheim Pinotage Rosé 2010
R27.00		V19
Pinotage brings its delicious fruitiness to bear on this lovely bright coppery pink wine from this Paarl winery. It’s off-dry with lots of Fizz Pop and caramel appeal to both the bouquet and the palate. There’s some breadth and body to round out the tangy raspberry and blueberry flavours. Good balance with lovely freshness and substantial overall length.
Angels Tears Chenin Blanc Pinotage Rosé 2011
R28.07		V15
Salmon pink. Strawberries on the nose and palate where it’s joined by some mulberry succulence. Gently sweet and abundant without being too complex. A perfect picnic quaffer.
Bergsig Shiraz Rosé 2011
R35.00		V14
Candyfloss pink. A hint of seriousness on display from this Worcester cellar’s offering. Fynbos and herbal nuances – some buchu and redcurrant flavours. Good dryness and tangy freshness. Persistent long tail.
Merwida Merlot Rosé 2011
R30.00		V14
Deep reddish pink. Bold perfume of strawberries and raspberries, which is then found in the mouth. Not overly complex but good ripeness and flavour. A sound commercial prospect.
Kleine Rust Rosé 2011
R29.00		V14
Light raspberry hue. Pomegranate and raspberry aromatics and flavour. Some light Fizz Pop caramel nuances. Uncomplicated with nice freshness and strawberry on the finish. A poolside glugger from Stellenrust.
Two Cubs Rosé 2011
R30.00		V14
Pale salmon. Nose of herbs and cranberry. It doesn’t appear to be completely dry, with a strawberry fruit sweetness evident. Light-textured chalkiness and good body. From Knorhoek.
Hill & Dale Dry Merlot Rosé 2011
R32.99		V13
Powder pink. Appealing cassis and floral aromas. In the mouth it is tangy and dry, quite lively with tasty cranberry and raspberry flavour. Nice length too.