Rosé is a pink wine usually made from red wine grapes. Its colour comes from allowing the grape juice to spend less time in contact with the skins than it would when making red wine. This creates a style that can combine fresh acidity with red fruit flavour.

There is no single type of rosé. It can be pale and delicate, juicy and fruit driven, savoury and structured, or noticeably sweet. The grape variety, region and winemaking choices all influence the colour, aroma, flavour and texture of the finished wine.

SØŪTH Rosato 2025 takes a vibrant, fruit driven approach. Made from Nero d'Avola grapes grown on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, it has aromas of red cherry, unripe plum, fresh rose, mulberry and subtle confectionary notes. The palate is juicy and fresh, with balanced acidity and a light touch of spice on the finish.

Rosé wine at a glance

What does rosé wine taste like?

Rosé can taste fresh, fruity, floral, savoury or lightly spicy depending on the grapes used and how the wine is made. Common characteristics include strawberry, raspberry, cherry, watermelon, peach, citrus, flowers and herbs, although no single flavour defines rosé as a category.

The grape variety makes a noticeable difference. A rosé made from Grenache, for example, will not necessarily have the same character as one made from Pinot Noir, Sangiovese or Nero d'Avola.

Colour is not a reliable guide to flavour either. Very pale rosé has become strongly associated with dry, delicate styles, but a deeper pink wine is not automatically sweeter, heavier or lower in quality. Colour is influenced by the grape variety and the amount of contact between the juice and grape skins.

SØŪTH Rosato sits towards the juicy and aromatic end of the spectrum. Its vibrant pink colour is followed by aromas of red cherry, unripe plum and fresh rose, with mulberry and a rounded confectionary note adding depth.

On the palate, the fruit is balanced by fresh acidity, which keeps the wine lively rather than heavy. A gentle spicy note comes through on the finish.

It is a more expressive style than the very pale, delicate rosés often associated with Provence, with Nero d'Avola giving the wine a clearly defined red fruit character.

Is rosé wine sweet or dry?

Rosé can be sweet or dry, and its colour does not tell you how much sweetness to expect.

Many modern rosés are made in a dry style, particularly wines designed to be enjoyed with food. Others retain more noticeable sweetness and can feel softer and rounder on the palate. It is also important to distinguish between fruitiness and sweetness.

A rosé can smell strongly of cherry, strawberry, plum or confectionary and still taste predominantly dry. Fruity aromas come from the grapes and winemaking process, while sweetness relates to the amount of sugar remaining in the finished wine and how that sweetness is perceived on the palate.

That distinction is useful when tasting SØŪTH Rosato. Its ripe red fruit and confectionary aromas can suggest sweetness, but the wine itself drinks predominantly dry. Fresh acidity balances the fruit and keeps the palate refreshing.

For people who enjoy rosé with noticeable fruit and flavour but do not want an overtly sweet wine, this style offers plenty of character without becoming sugary.

How is rosé wine made?

Most rosé starts with red wine grapes. One of the main differences between making rosé and making red wine is the amount of time the juice spends in contact with the grape skins.

Red grape skins contain pigments that contribute colour to the wine. When making rosé, the juice generally remains in contact with those skins for a relatively short period. Once the winemaker has extracted the colour and characteristics they want, the juice is separated from the skins and fermentation continues.

Shorter skin contact helps produce rosé's characteristic pink colour while limiting the deeper colour and tannin more commonly associated with red wine.

Exactly how rosé is made varies between producers, which is one reason the category covers such a broad range of colours, flavours and textures.

The Nero d'Avola grapes used for SØŪTH Rosato 2025 were grown in McLaren Vale and hand picked during the third week of April.

The wine spends three months in stainless steel. Unlike oak, stainless steel does not add woody or toasted flavours, allowing the fresh fruit and aromatic character of the wine to remain prominent.

What are the different types of rosé wine?

Rosé is a style of wine rather than one specific grape variety, so there is far more variation than its pink colour might suggest.

Pale, dry rosé

Pale rosé is often associated with freshness, crisp acidity, citrus, delicate red fruit and floral or herbal notes.

Provence in southern France is particularly famous for this style, and its popularity has helped make very pale pink wine one of the most recognisable forms of rosé around the world. However, pale colour is a style choice, not a measure of quality.

Fruit driven rosé

Fruit driven rosé places more emphasis on aromas and flavours such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry and plum. These wines can still be dry. Strong fruit character should not automatically be confused with sweetness.

SØŪTH Rosato fits more naturally into this style, with Nero d'Avola giving it prominent cherry, plum and mulberry characteristics.

Savoury rosé

Some rosés show more herbal, spicy or savoury characteristics alongside their fruit. These styles can be particularly versatile with food, especially dishes containing herbs, grilled vegetables, cured meats or richer seafood.

Sweeter rosé

Some producers deliberately make rosé with more noticeable sweetness. These wines generally feel softer and sweeter on the palate and can suit drinkers who prefer less dry wine styles.

There is no single style that represents what rosé should taste like. Choosing a bottle becomes easier when you think about the characteristics you actually enjoy, whether that is something delicate, crisp, juicy, savoury, fruit driven or sweet.

What is Rosato?

Rosato is simply the Italian word for rosé. Italy has a long tradition of producing pink wines using numerous grape varieties across different regions, so there is no single flavour or appearance that defines Italian Rosato.

Some examples are pale and delicate, while others have deeper colour, stronger red fruit flavours or more structure.

SØŪTH draws on this Italian connection through the grape varieties it works with in South Australia. Its Rosato is made from Nero d'avola, an Italian red grape particularly associated with southern Italy, while the fruit itself is grown on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The result is an Australian expression of an Italian inspired wine style, shaped by the grape and where it is grown.

Is rosé similar to red or white wine?

Rosé sits somewhere between white and red wine stylistically, although it is very much its own category.

People who normally choose crisp whites may find dry rosé an easy transition, while lighter red wine drinkers may enjoy its red fruit character without the weight or tannin of a conventional red.

What food pairs with rosé wine?

Rosé is one of the more flexible wines at the table because it combines the freshness associated with white wine with some of the fruit character found in red wine.

SØŪTH Rosato pairs particularly well with:

Rosato with Bibo’s tuna crudo

A particularly good pairing for SØŪTH Rosato is the Tuna Crudo served at Bibo Bar & Eatery.

Fresh and vibrant, Rosato lifts the delicate flavours of the tuna while keeping the palate light and crisp. Its acidity provides freshness between bites, while its red fruit character adds flavour without overpowering the raw fish.

It is a good example of why rosé can work particularly well with food that might feel too delicate for a conventional red wine but needs more than an extremely neutral white.

The producer’s own pairing recommendations also include bresaola and buffalo mozzarella or a favourite small goods board.

Why use Nero d'Avola grapes to make rosé?

Nero d’Avola is best known as a red wine grape, but like other red varieties it can also be used to produce rosé.

Using Nero d’Avola gives SØŪTH Rosato its distinctly red fruited character. Cherry, unripe plum and mulberry feature prominently, supported by floral notes, subtle confectionary aromas and light spice. This makes the grape an important part of the wine’s identity.

SØŪTH Rosato does not aim for an extremely pale or neutral style. The character of the Nero d’Avola remains noticeable, giving the wine freshness as well as plenty of flavour.

How should you serve rosé wine?

Rosé is generally best served chilled. A useful starting point is around 8 to 12°C. Very cold temperatures can mute aroma and flavour, so there is no need to serve a quality rosé almost frozen.

Take the bottle from the refrigerator, pour it into a wine glass and allow it to warm naturally as you drink. As the temperature rises slightly, fruit, floral and savoury details often become easier to notice. Rosé is particularly suited to seafood, antipasto, shared plates and lighter Mediterranean dishes.

It does not need to be treated only as a summer aperitif. A food friendly rosé can work at the table throughout the year.

How do you choose a good rosé wine?

Start with the style of wine you enjoy rather than choosing a bottle based entirely on colour. If you prefer crisp and understated wines, look for descriptions such as dry, delicate, citrus driven or mineral.

If you enjoy more obvious fruit, look for rosé featuring strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum or similar red fruit characteristics.

It is also worth considering:

• whether the wine is dry or sweet
• the grape variety
• the region where the grapes were grown
• the dominant aromas and flavours
• acidity and body
• recommended food pairings
• the producer's winemaking approach

For wine that will be served with food, good acidity is particularly useful because it refreshes the palate and can balance rich, salty or oily dishes.

Most importantly, do not assume that the palest rosé must be the best. Rosé comes in a wide range of colours because different grapes and winemaking choices produce different results.

Who is Rosato best suited to?

SØŪTH Rosato may appeal to people who want rosé that still feels fresh but has a little more fruit and personality.

It is particularly suited to:

• dry rosé drinkers who enjoy noticeable red fruit
• white wine drinkers wanting to try something different
• light red wine drinkers looking for something more refreshing
• seafood lovers
• antipasto and small goods tables
• drinkers interested in Italian grape varieties grown in South Australia

Its combination of juicy fruit, acidity and light spice makes it flexible enough to drink on its own but particularly useful alongside food.

Try SØŪTH Rosato

SØŪTH Rosato 2025 is made from hand picked Nero d'Avola grapes grown in McLaren Vale in South Australia.

The wine brings together red cherry, unripe plum, rose and mulberry with a round confectionary aroma, juicy palate, refreshing acidity and a lightly spicy finish.

Explore SØŪTH Rosato or browse the SØŪTH wine collection to discover SØŪTH’s take on Italian grape varieties grown in South Australia.

Frequently asked questions

What is rosé wine?

Rosé is a pink wine generally made from red wine grapes. The juice spends less time in contact with the grape skins than it would when making red wine, resulting in its characteristic pink colour and lighter style.

Is rosé wine sweet or dry?

Rosé can be either sweet or dry. Many modern rosés are dry, although fruit aromas can sometimes give the impression of sweetness even when very little sweetness is noticeable on the palate.

Why is rosé pink?

Rosé gets most of its pink colour from brief contact between red grape juice and the grape skins. Longer skin contact generally extracts more colour.

What does rosé wine taste like?

Rosé can show strawberry, raspberry, cherry, watermelon, citrus, flowers, herbs or spice depending on the grape variety and winemaking style.

What is the difference between rosé and Rosato?

There is no fundamental category difference. Rosato is the Italian word for rosé. Individual Rosato wines vary depending on their grape variety, region and producer.

Is darker rosé sweeter?

Not necessarily. Colour comes primarily from grape variety and skin contact, while sweetness relates to the sugar remaining in the finished wine. Pale rosé can be sweet and darker rosé can be completely dry.

Should rosé wine be served chilled?

Yes. Rosé is generally best served chilled at around 8 to 12°C, although serving it extremely cold can hide some of its aroma and flavour.

What food goes with rosé wine?

Rosé works with seafood, antipasto, cured meats, soft cheese, Mediterranean vegetables and many lighter dishes. SØŪTH Rosato pairs particularly well with Tuna Crudo, bresaola and buffalo mozzarella.