There's something frivolous about rosés - their varying shades of pink, hints of red berries, often slight sweetness and crisp finishes make them ideal with lunch or a light evening meal.
They are best served chilled and go well with ham, pork, cold meat, salads, antipasto.
Try the sweeter ones with strawberries.
Rosés are made from various red grape varieties, and sometimes even white varieties with a little red wine blended in.
Those most common in New Zealand are pinot noir and cabernet franc, which makes a lovely refreshing rosé that goes particularly well with food.
◊ Best under $15
(about $14.95)
A cheerful rose with hints of strawberries and a hint of nuttiness, slightly sweet, with a crisp, attractive finish
Two stars (out of five)
Average value
◊ Best under $20
(about $17)
When it comes to charm and frivolity, it's hard to beat this sweet muscat rosé with its slight spritz.
Fragrant and refreshing when chilled, it's just the thing to drink with, or pour over fresh strawberries and other berries.
Three stars (out of five)
Good value
($22)
A pale pink bubbly with an attractive aroma suggesting fresh bread which indicates its stylish methode champenoise origins, hints of creamy nutiness, a dry tight finish and a lingering aftertaste.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
($20)
When it comes to charm and frivolity, it's hard to beat this sweet muscat rosé with its slight spritz.
Fragrant and refreshing when chilled, it's just the thing to drink with, or pour over fresh strawberries and other berries.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
($22)
Slightly funky with full flavour, a hint of creaminess and a bright finish.
Better with food.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
www.domain-road-vineyard.co.nz
($25)
A more serious rosé from the Awatere valley in Marlborough, this is made from cabernet franc, which gives it lovely hints of redcurrant and mineral, with good fruit weight and a dry finish.
It's a good food wine.
Mail order only.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Another Glass
(about $21)
Fragrant with hints of rosepetals, strawberries and cherries, a hint of nuts and a crisp, firm finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
