Once upon a time, rosé in South Africa had a very specific reputation: sweet, playful, and often made to be sipped without much thought. It was the wine of picnics, poolside afternoons, and casual catchups; fun but not exactly taken seriously by wine connoisseurs. Over the last decade rosé has undergone a quiet revolution in South Africa, and today, it’s a category worth exploring in far greater depth.
While sweeter rosés still have their place, more winemakers are turning towards drier, European-inspired styles. Pale in colour, crisp in acidity, and with a delicate fruit profile, these styles have steadily become the norm. These wines are no longer just “easy drinkers” but carefully crafted expressions of terroir and grape variety. Many are made from premium red cultivars like Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault, even Pinot Noir and Pinotage.
The results speak for themselves; wines that can hold their own on the dinner table, pairing beautifully with seafood, charcuterie, salads, even spicy dishes and braais.
The breezy coastal vineyards of the Cape and the warmer inland slopes, grant South African rosé a wide stylistic range. Cool-climate sites often produce rosés with fresh berry and citrus notes, while warmer areas can deliver riper, more fruit-forward flavours. This diversity allows winemakers to experiment with styles that reflect both their vineyards and their vision.
Wine lovers are now embracing rosé as more than a summer fling. Dry, food-friendly rosés have found a place in fine dining, wine competitions, and even collectors’ cellars. In fact, many South African rosés are now made with as much care and attention as their red and white counterparts, often using grapes picked specifically for rosé, not just as a by-product of red wine production.
At Lanzerac, rosé has become a celebration of freshness, elegance, and versatility. It’s the wine we reach for when the first warm breeze of spring arrives, but it’s also the bottle we bring to the table alongside grilled prawns, roasted vegetables, or a simple cheese platter. It’s both a mood and a meal companion.
Next time you pour a glass of Jonkershoek Rosé, take a moment to notice the delicate hue, the aroma of just-picked berries, and the crisp finish. It’s more than just a drink—it’s a story of how South African wine has grown up, evolved, and embraced the beauty of pink.
