“How can one blush for what one adores?”
– George Sand (novelist, journalist and women’s rights activist) (1804 – 1876)
A blush imparts a rise of colour, a flush. In wine that often means pale pink or, in the case of our just-released 2024 Cabernet Franc Rosé, a coppery pink tinge, so delicate, so subtle it looks like the skin of an onion.
Our deliciously dry new wine that comes just in time for spring and summer, is available exclusively from the estate (as in you can’t buy it or try it anywhere else). Made in the traditional French way, the hand-picked grapes are harvested on taste (when the fruit sugars and acids are in perfect balance), crushed and then left on the skins for the briefest period to lend a beautifully understated, transparent hue. Imagine the pink gleam you find in seductively rose gold antique collectors’ jewellery. Now transfer that to wine, and you have the shade we’re talking.
The trick (or should I say, skill) lies in knowing exactly how much skin contact, not just for colour, but for taste and texture. You want some substance on the palate, and the slightest embossing of tannin for structure.
Historically dismissed as poolside wines, rosés are taken more seriously these days. Over the past decade or so they have been given a proper place at the table by winemakers and connoisseurs. They can command high prices, and many are kept back for ageing to bring greater complexity.
In South Africa, pink wines can sometimes be associated with sweetish, fruity wine but this is less so internationally. In Europe, for example, rosés tend to be zesty and dry.
The rule of thumb is that paler rosés tend to be drier in style and darker rosés are typically sweeter and fruiter, but this isn’t always the case. Your safest bet is to read the label for a taste descriptor. Generally, if a muscat grape features in a pink wine, the rosé is likelier to be on the sweet side. Our wine is made entirely from Cabernet Franc, a grape that produces dry-charactered reds, so it stands to reason that our rosé would be dry.
And you can use the same logic (backed up by reading the label) in figuring out whether a rosé is dry or sweet when it is made with a red grape generally associated with a dry red flavour. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Shiraz, etc.
Our estate-grown Cabernet Franc is cooled on the vine in summer by sea breezes from the False Bay coastline, less than 5km away. We are very fortunate that the south-easter slows down ripening to intensify flavours, enhance acid (think vibrancy) and aid colour development.
What you will pick up on the nose and palate are layers of red berry fruit, laced with hints of fynbos, fennel and that telltale saline finish that is a hallmark of all our wines. We think it comes from our proximity to the sea and it lends a crisp, racy freshness.
You’ll find the wine very versatile and food friendly. Elegant and vivacious on the tongue, it satisfies in the mouth with a beguiling combination of berry and herbal notes. Serve it lightly chilled and see how well it pairs with caramelised onion, and yes, you guessed it, fennel. But it also works a treat with goat’s cheese, tomato-based dishes and omelettes, frittata and quiches. Most definitely with salmon too. Make that grilled, roasted, pan-fried or cured as gravad lax.
We follow regenerative farming here. The naturally enriched soils yield healthy vines and fruit. You can taste the life in our wines, and we are confident that when you visit, you will find the Cabernet Franc Rosé is no exception.
Even though we’re releasing it as the weather warms, it makes a great accompaniment to autumn and winter dishes too. Come try for yourself. We’re open seven days a week, and offer fine wine tastings, two sophisticated restaurants serving Cape heritage flavours reinterpreted in exciting new ways, glorious vineyard and mountain views, relaxing nature walks, enchanting birdlife and an all-encapsulating serenity, especially when walking our medieval-style labyrinth or striking out on our puzzle maze with a blessing well in the centre.
Read more about all our experiences, including our luxury accommodation, and to make a reservation.
You’re so welcome this festive season! We’ll be celebrating advent with beautiful décor, Sunday musical performances as well as fine wine and a deliciously festive feast of food in the lead-up to Christmas, so check out our social media and events page for details, or sign up to receive our newsletter to directly in your inbox.
Purchase our 2024 Vergenoegd Löw Cabernet Franc Rosé, only available online or from our estate in Stellenbosch.
Find out more about our wine club, Heritage Circle.