Good taste

2009 Waitaki Braids Rose. Photo / Supplied

For the past decade I've been living in a world pinker than I ever could have imagined. It happened by mistake.

Initially, I dressed my baby girl strictly in blue, yellow and green ... anything but pink. But by the age of three, she was in pink from top to toe and before I could figure out why, I was surrounded in pink wine too - from Portugal, Australia and New Zealand.

Having once taken a bottle of the world's most successful pink, Mateus Rose, on a very special (and successful) date, I knew pink wine had surprising power. Here in New Zealand the surprising thing is, pink wine is better than before.

Three years ago an outstanding pink was born on a London park bench when Bill Rolfe and Tony Hancock were sharing a sandwich and lamenting the lack of delicious wine at affordable prices. They decided to stop moaning and start making a wine that fitted the bill.

Unlike much of what passes for rose, Pink Elephant wine is actually a light red with more body, flavour and appeal than most pinks (from The Wine Circle, Huapai, Auckland, phone (09) 412 2258).

But if you're intent on buying local, check out this week's colourful trio.

Wines of the week

2009 Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rose
$21

Light, lovely soft, strawberry-like Central Otago pink.
www.rockburn. co.nz

2009 Gladstone Vineyard Rose
$22

This full bodied Wairarapa pink is made from a flavoursome three-way blend - cabernet franc, merlot and malbec.
www.gladstone.co.nz

2009 Waitaki Braids Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir Rose
$25

The ruby colour of this southern wine delivers flavours of raspberries, strawberries and loganberries.
www.waitakibraids.co.nz