A South Australia Low-Alcohol Rosé

It's sweet and very low alcohol...

Pink Moscato

Once again we are in Australia this time trying a wine whose alcohol content is less than half the “normal” level. Low alcohol wines meet many people’s needs. Interestingly enough the label says “Wine Product of Australia” rather than the more usual “Wine of Australia.” Is a wine product similar to a cheese product, in other winey or cheesy? Something else to consider, its distributor Constellation Wines is largest wine group in the world. Constellation has been associated with Wild Irish Rose, Italian Swiss Colony, and Manischewitz wines, none of which I will recommend. On the other hand, it is also associated with Robert Mondavi and Kim Crawford wines, both of whom have produced many fine wines.

Banrock Station offers a wine and wetland center and a restaurant with a conference center. It is located about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north east of Adelaide in South Australia, the most productive of Australia’s wine regions. The company has made a major effort to reduce water usage. Today’s companion wine is a Pinot Noir rosé from the neighboring region of Victoria, Australia with well over twice the alcohol content.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Banrock Station Pink Moscato Rosé 2009 5.5% alcohol about $10

There were no marketing materials so let’s start by quoting the back label. Light pink in color this Moscato displays fresh melon and grapefruit aromas with sweet lemon and tropical fruit flavors. Then it refers to the company’s global conservation projects. And now for my review.

At the first sips while I thought of strawberry soda with less fizziness and more alcohol the wine was tasty and refreshing. The first meal started with barbecued chicken wings in a simple tomato sauce. In response the rosé became more acidic. It was sweet but not cloying. With a barbecued chicken leg in Thai sauce, the wine tasted of strawberry and lemon. When paired with potatoes roasted in chicken fat, the Moscato’s acidity stepped up. But when it met a fresh tomato all I got was candy, candy, and candy.

My next meal was a broiled Atlantic salmon filet marinated and basted in an agave nectar sauce. The wine was lemony with sweet acidity. Cold beets deepened the liquid. When paired with real candy, fruit juice candy, the Moscato was fruity.

My final meal centered on an omelet with chilies. The rosé tasted of light candy but was not very present. Palm hearts slightly increased its acidity. And grilled eggplant brimming with garlic rendered it almost tasteless. In the presence of fresh cherries the Moscato’s strawberries were reduced to a pale shadow. A French-style lemon pie in a buttery crust rendered the rosé low key and subtle.

The first cheese was a slightly sweet whipped cream cheese that deepened the wine. The strawberries came out. When it met white cheddar cheese the rosé tasted like candy, sugary strawberry candy.

Final verdict. I will definitely not buy this wine again. For me it belongs alongside Wild Irish Rose, Italian Swiss Colony and Manischewitz wines. And believe me, I wouldn’t mind a low-alcohol wine some of the time.

Access the companion wine A Victoria Australia Pinot Noir Rosé

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine websites include
www.theworldwidewine.com    and    http://www.wineinyourdiet.com

Visit his website devoted to italian travel www.travelitalytravel.com

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