What is your favourite way to enjoy rosé? With the launch of our 2026 Vin de Joie Rosé on the horizon, we are reminded of the many ways in which this delicate and delightful wine brings joy to our lives. It enhances simple moments and celebrates special moments and with summer approaching, we were wondering whether there is an ultimate way to enjoy rosé.
There are a few obvious ideas that jump to mind. Lazy lunching, sunset sipping, poolside reposing... And rosé is of course exceptional for such occasions.
• Savvy lunchtime consumption doesn't have to end up in siesta and rosé is a versatile choice with lunchtime favourites such as sushi, salads, seafood and even just a sandwich!
• Sunsets and rosé echo each other's delightful pink tones, making rosé the perfect sipper to relax after a hot day - or to start a hot date.
• And next to the pool? The French actually has a term for a pool-side wine! Piscine is the French word for swimming pool, but it also refers to a large glass of wine, with ice! Popular along the French Riviera during summer holidays, rosé is often the wine of choice to enjoy à la piscine.
Rosé in South Africa has come a long way from the days of sweet glasses of cerise pink party fluid to being a sophisticated choice - dry and elegant in shades of œil de perdrix (referring to the pale pink colour of the eye of the partridge). This does not mean that the wine has lost its lunch, sunset and poolside appeal, but it does mean that there is so much more to it.
Rosé can be an intricate glass of wine - much more than an aperitif. It can also be a very versatile partner on the dinner table. It depends on the wine you choose of course, where it originate from, what the variety or blend is and the style it is made in. You can further influence the taste by your choice of stemware, how long you keep the wine before opening it and of course at what temperature you pour it.
Keep the below pointers in mind and when you want to explore other options with rosé and you can find the ultimate way to enjoy rosé or perhaps realise that there are a multitude of ways with rosé!
The ultimate serving temperature for Rosé:
• Light and pale rosés for a crisp and refreshing glass and easy sipping: Serve extra cool between 4°C and 7°C.
• Fuller and richer rosés (darker or oaked styles): Serve slightly warmer, between 10°C and 12°C in order for the complexities of fruit and tannin to develop.
The ultimate glass for Rosé:
While we believe rosé-enjoyment should not be limited to your stemware selection, we are talking ultimate enjoyment and therefore can't help but be bowled over by Riedel's Rosé-specific selection. These glasses captures freshness, vibrancy, and elegance. Crafted to highlight delicate fruit aromas and crisp balance, it transforms casual sipping into a refined ritual. A tulip shape that curves inwards at the top and has a slightly rounded bowl allows the wine to breathe, release its aromas and directs the beautiful flavours towards your nose. An elegant, slender stem keeps your hand away from the glass to keep the wine cool.
• The Riedel Sommelier Rosé is an egg-shaped glass that impresses with its soft, rounded silhouette. This harmonious form not only captivates the eye but also enhances the aromas of beverages, allowing them to unfold beautifully.
• The form of the Diamond Shaped Veloce Rosé glass enhances presentation through its faceted structure and clean geometry, adding visual depth and a sense of modern elegance. This distinctive shape gives each drink a dynamic and refined appearance, making every serve feel elevated.
Join us in the La Motte Tasting Room during October to taste our newly released 2026 Vin de Joie Rosé from a beautiful Riedel Rosé glass for the ultimate experience!
The ultimate food for Rosé:
The strangest thing, although super unscientific... is that often, when the colour of your meal complements the colour of the rosé in your glass, you can be pretty sure that the flavour of the dish will be a match to the wine as well. Think salmon, trout, strawberry, charcuterie, peach, saffron... This is, however, just visual coincidence and the pairing is of course based on the balance of fat, salt, acidity, etc.
The versatility of an elegant rosé is one of the reasons this style of wine is so popular. Inspired by the delicate style of Mediterranean rosés, we think our 2026 Vin de Joie Rosé is delightful as part of a Mediterranean-style alfresco table, but you don't have to limit the menu - you can even include a touch of Asia and the Middle East.
Make the most of the joy this wine brings by pairing it with so many delicious recipes - from the simplicity of leafy salads to the indulgence of crayfish. Rosé loves seafood and will be a delight with delicate salmon and summertime sushi as well as hearty options such as saffron-scented seafood paella and wintery favourites such as soupe de poisson or bouillabaisse. It adores the savouriness of finely-sliced charcuterie, the simple bliss of a ripe nectarine or juicy strawberry and is a charming partner to a host of dainty patisserie and desserts.
Join us at L'Ami Family Brasserie and enjoy the 2026 Vin de Joie Rosé with Berries & Meringue Eaton Mess.
Join us at the La Motte Bakery's garden café, just a wonderful spot to sip on your rosé with your choice of bread topped with lightly smoked Franschhoek trout with herbed crème fraiche, rocket and lemon.
Click here for our Rosé recipe repertoire.
The ultimate time to drink Rosé:
Rosé-drinking time can refer to the lifespan of the bottle in your fridge, the season or even the time of day, of course!
• Most rosés are created to be refreshing and in this instance, the ultimate time to drink it would be within the first year or two after bottling.
• More sophisticated, fine rosés might, however stand the test of time and keep for three to five years.
• In the same way, refreshing styles are made for summer sipping, while the more complex options is a year-round favourite.
• On weekends and days off, a noon glass is a great idea.
• As a general rule of thumb, 17:00 is a great time to start relaxing after a touch day and settle in for sunset.
• An afternoon glass is however, a treat and luxury, especially for a special occasion or activity.
The ultimate place to drink Rosé:
We've covered the poolside, sunset deck and table, but there are many other expected and perhaps unexpected spots to enjoy Rosé.
• Choose a shady spot in the garden and rosé will be a calm companion to easy you into day-dreaming.
• Imagine a pink glass (perhaps stemless for ease) while curling up on the couch with a new novel, the latest edition of your favourite magazine or even to binge-watch a series.
• When you light a fire for the braai, rosé is an obvious choice.
• Into adventure? Sipping from an insulated tumbler while game driving or whale watching can surely be one of the most unique ways to enjoy rosé.
• Is art your passion? Rosé is an exceptional partner to creativity and we believe the ultimate wine for a sip and paint session.
• And then, perhaps the picnic is the most romantic and most illustrated way to drink rosé!
The La Motte Hiking Trail has reopened and you are invited to join us for a self-guided or guided hike. The latter stops at the lapa, offering a taste of our 2026 Vin de Joie Rosé while admiring the breathtaking views of the Franschhoek Valley.
Are you interested in the making of rosé? Join us in the La Motte Tasting Room for an introduction to the charm of rosé or read all you have to know about rosé, thanks to Wine Folly.
