Rosé of Blaufränkisch Reserve 2017, Triebaumer

Hand picked into small boxes. De-stemmed into red wine tanks, racking off the juice after 6 hours. Temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks for a period of four weeks. Fermentation is interrupted by separation of the must from the lees and cooling. This results in a slight natural residual sugar content (15 g/litre).

A very pale neon pink with a nose of red berry fruit, strawberries, redcurrants and all strawberries and cream on the palate and just a slight hint of spritz with a touch of sweetness. On the finish there's some spice and a soft gentle mineral underpinning.

Chill well (really well) and drink with salads, grilled meats - a great barbeque wine. A perfect winter rosé with smoked salmon for example.

Ben says of the 2017 (November 2018): This was a real hit at the Three Wine Men Christmas tastings in Manchester and Cambridge. For me, despite the name and colour, this is not a rosé wine. This is a light Blaufrankisch. There is nothing of the expected characteristics of 'rosé' in this wine. The grape is the predominent workforce and this shows in the nose and in the mouth. It is a terrific wine.

Drink this, well chilled, on a cold winter evening with the snow coming down outside and a warm fire burning. Stick two fingers up at the weather and say "I get to choose what coldness affects me and it is this wonderful wine!"