Fruity, fresh, and elegantly crisp, meet your new favourite rosé produced right here in the UK.

As we slide into true summer: strawberries, roses and sunny picnics with sunburnt shoulders, there’s nothing like a cold glass of rosé as you recline on a blanket covered lawn and soak up the beauty of golden hour. An Instagrammer’s favourite, many assume that rosé must be pale pink and hail from Provence, or like myself, have experienced unpleasant, sickly pink wines with a sticky aftertaste. Ready to buck that trend, Coolhurst, the Sussex based vineyard nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has released their Lady Elizabeth Rosé, a sublimely balanced dry sparkling wine to take us through summer and beyond.

Lady Elizabeth Rosé, so named in recognition of the Marquess of Northampton who established the estate in Sussex, is a 100% pinot noir wine boasting hints of tangerine and berries with a subtle hint of toastiness. Hailing from a single vintage and, as with everything Coolhurst releases, a single vineyard, each drop is made from carefully selected and hand-picked fruit. The time spent on the lees is carefully monitored in order to best display the nuances of the fruit whilst retaining its youthful freshness. The wine is beautifully balanced on the palate, as perfect on the dining table as it is on a sun-drenched terrace. Classically understated but layered with depth and indulgence, this multifaceted wine shouldn’t be the preserve of celebrations alone.

Perfect pairings

The beauty of Lady Elizabeth Rosé is that it is incredibly versatile for a high end, luxurious wine. Take it from someone who has paired it with dinner, sipped a glass in a sun-drenched field, and baked with it (yes, baked, recipe to follow), Coolhurst have produced a wine that allows the dish to sing, rather than overpowering the palate. Cleansing sips between mouthfuls enhance the flavours rather than drowning your taste buds with jamminess, whilst allowing you to enjoy the nuances of the wine itself. There is no end to what you can pair with this crisp glass of bubbles, but the following act as a wonderful starting point:

  • Chicken or niçoise salad.
  • Salmon.
  • Duck.
  • Lamb served pink.
  • Veggie skewers on the barbecue.
  • Charcuterie.
  • Soft cheeses.

Lady Elizabeth Rosé & Strawberry Pavlova

Whilst it may seem like sacrilege to use such fine wine in a dessert recipe, I couldn’t resist using a drop or two to create this delicious sharing dessert. Gloriously gooey marshmallow encased in a crisp pavlova shell, topped with whipped cream, Lady Elizabeth Rosé syrup and crowned with macerated strawberries, this summertime special is the perfect accompaniment to your crisp glass of wine.

Ingredients:

For the meringue:

  • 4 egg whites
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 1tsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornflour
  • 1tsp vanilla extract

For the topping:

  • 350ml double cream
  • 2tbsp icing sugar
  • 300g strawberries, sliced
  • 2tbsp granulated sugar
  • 240ml plus 2tbsp Lady Elizabeth Rosé wine
  • 1tsp vanilla extract

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 150C/130C (fan)/gas mark 2. Line a tray with baking paper in preparation.
  2. Using a stand mixer, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Leave the mixer running as you add the sugar, a spoonful at a time. Leave the mixer running on a medium speed for a further 3 minutes before stirring in the white wine vinegar, cornflour, and vanilla.
  3. Scoop the meringue mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for one hour before before turning off the heat and leaving the meringue in the oven with the door closed to cool completely (preferably overnight).
  4. Make the syrup by combining the 240ml wine and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the vanilla extract and continue to cook the mixture over medium-low heat until it is reduced by half and thick and syrupy. Leave to cool completely.
  5. Whip the cream, icing sugar, and 2tbsp wine until firm peaks form. Spoon the cream on top of the meringue.
  6. Toss the strawberries in half of the syrup. Crown the pavlova with the strawberries before drizzling with the remaining syrup. Serve immediately.

Where to buy:

Coolhurst Lady Elizabeth Rosé is available to buy coolhurstvineyards.com/coolhurst-shop/ for £42 per bottle or £36 when signing up to their newletter (first orders only, terms and conditions apply).

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