Aaldering Pinotage Rosé

You might not know it at first glance, but inside the bottle is Aaldering rosé, not immediately visible due to its dark bottle. But when pouring, you'll notice the beautiful light pink color of the Pinotage grape. It wasn't easy for Fons Aaldering to find a suitable vineyard for the rosé; after all, a rosé wine needs more acidity and freshness to develop properly. This led them to discover a vineyard situated at a higher altitude, 200 meters above sea level. The climate here is perfect for slightly less ripe Pinotage grapes, thanks to the cool wind and the very low nighttime temperatures. This slows down the ripening of the Pinotage grapes and helps them retain their acidity, partly due to the chalky soil.

The beautiful light pink color of the Aaldering rosé

The beautiful light pink color of this rosé requires expert craftsmanship. The grapes are harvested at night to prevent bruising and preserve their freshness. If this were done during the day, the Pinotage grapes would be much more delicate. They are transported in small crates to the Aaldering press, where a second round of selection takes place to obtain only the finest spa. This is followed by a pressing, during which the skins ferment for just 20 minutes to achieve the beautiful light color. So beautiful, and indistinguishable from a Provence rosé.

The aroma and taste of the Pinotage Rosé from Aaldering

This Rosé Aaldering, made from the Pinotage grape, is available in a small, very limited edition. Aaldering has created a rosé that has also been aged in oak. While you don't often see oak-aged rosés, this one from Aaldering is truly exceptional. A complex, full aroma of red fruit like strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, along with hints of mint, spice, and wood. The oak notes are also clearly noticeable in the palate of this Aaldering Pinotage Rosé, full and ripe with abundant red fruit and a subtle note of spice and blossom. In short, a unique piece of work, where the Pinotage grape once again takes center stage!