I've mentioned before in this column that rose is now very much a year-round tipple, yet that premise may have been tested by our rather dismal summer. I've spoken to a couple of local retailers off the record, and they report that rose sales this summer are definitely down on last year. Price: $28-30Rating: Very good to excellentStrawberry, rose petal and toffee apple at first moving to strawberry jam and bramble with time. www.tohuwines.co.nzPrice: $25Rating: Excellent to outstandingQuite juicy nose, bright and lifted, peaches and cream with strawberries, developing rose petals over time. Powerful yet nicely balanced palate full of summer fruits, with lovely mouthfeel and chewiness (in a nice way).

Source: Otago Daily Times February 28, 2017 17:06 UTC