Laithwaites, New Zealand, Reviews, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc

Waitui Bay Marlborough Rosé

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9 June 2026

Waitui Bay Marlborough Rosé is made by family-owned Marlborough Valley Wines and this is the 2025 vintage. It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec, with the Malbec bringing that Rosé colour. Through canopy management and site selection, they have achieved a lower alcohol level of 9.5% abv.

It is worth saying upfront, this is not your typical Provence-style Rosé. Sauvignon Blanc Rosé can divide opinion. A Rosé tasting I gave in the past showed just how many people have come to expect Rosé to follow that pale, dry, Provence-inspired path. Personally, though, I enjoy Rosé wines that move away from that mould and bring a deeper character of their own.

In the bottle, this looks pink, but it is much clearer once poured into the glass. You get that typical Sauvignon Blanc aroma, with a gentle strawberry edge, at any temperature, even when served very cold. The real difference comes when you taste it. This is where it moves slightly away from a typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The 9.5% abv gives you the clue and it is also one of its strongest selling points, lower alcohol, causing more sweetness than usual for Sauvignon Blanc, sitting off-dry, but not too sweet. There is less perceived acidity too and I found it much better with food.

I like it because it is different from typical Rosé and a variant of Sauvignon Blanc too. This Rosé for Sauvignon Blanc and food lovers is available for £12.99 from Laithwaites.

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