De-Alcoholised Rosé

Ninety eight percent Sauvignon Blanc with a two percent splash of Grenache is an unusual way to build a rosé, and it explains why this drinks fresher and lighter than the color suggests. Light salmon pink, ripe strawberry and a candyfloss sweetness on the nose, balanced through the palate with a finish that hangs around. Fruit comes from unirrigated bush vines across several Darling sites in South Africa, where cool nights and a southwesterly afternoon wind keep the flavors elegant rather than jammy. It ferments 18 days at 14°C under reductive handling, spends two months on lees, then loses its alcohol to a spinning cone running under vacuum at low temperature. Judges have rated it highly. It won the IWSC Best Low Alcohol Wine trophy in 2022 at 96 points and a Bronze the following year. Vegan friendly and low in calories. Try it with roast chicken, a salmon salad or pasta in a red sauce.