Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018 delivers on flavour and is a super refreshing and crisp wine. Perfect for Spring picnics with friends, this wine offers something different that will keep you guessing. Don’t expect the bottle to last long after you open it though – this wine is very drinkable, especially with some antipasto. 

Spring has most certainly sprung, and you know what that means! Yes, that’s right – Rosé season is upon us! It’s time to sip on those pink-hued wines once more – those ones I drink all year round. I’m so excited that I simply had to back up last weeks great wine with yet another! I mean it would be rude not to celebrate Spring with some good Rosé. We were heading to our friends for some board games, and I pulled this bad boy out of the fridge for the occasion. I had been stowing it away but after winter our Rosé supplies are getting low so now I’m onto the stuff I was trying not to drink. I can’t think of a better time to have it than right now!

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé is perfect for spring

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018 is a wine we picked up on our trip to McLaren Vale last year. I absolutely loved all the wineries we visited while we were there, and Olivers Taranga was definitely up there as a favourite. Their wines were so interesting, and it took every bit of my self control not to grab one of each and stuff them into my suitcase. One of the wines I simply couldn’t walk away without was the Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018.

I have to say I’ve actually never tried a wine from the Mencia grape before, so I was very excited to pull this one out of the fridge and give it a taste. It is native to Spain and Portugal, but grows so well in the McLaren Vale climate. This wine showcases something different in its flavours, and so is definitely worth a try if you’re looking to try something new. Step out of that Provence bubble and explore the wide and wonderful world that Rosé has to offer!

Why I loved it

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018 offers so much in its flavour. I loved that it was kind of fruity at the front, but crisp, zesty and refreshing at the back. This wine is the sort of wine that is plain refreshing, and very easy to drink. You can picture yourself diving into a bottle or two of this at a picnic! It certainly didn’t last long once we opened it, and that is always a good sign. Although it was quite sad realising there was none left to enjoy!

On the nose, this wine is really interesting. I got a hint of watermelon, lime and also a slight note of cured meat. Don’t be deterred by that though – it was a great combination that actually made my mouth water. The palate was nice and creamy with a nicely balanced tannins, and it was rounded off by a zesty, dry and crisp finish. This wine was oh so refreshing, and perfect for those warmer days. Or dreaming about those warmer days!

What to pair it with

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018 is a bit on the heavier side of Rosé, which is great because it is so easy to pair with food! You could enjoy this without however and still really enjoy the wine. It’s great because it sits in the in-between! I don’t think you could beat sitting in the sun at a picnic with friends and a bottle of this wine though. That would be the perfect sipping situation!

If you are looking for a food to pair it with I’d suggest some cured meats and antipasto. Think a beautiful platter spread at a picnic, or in the afternoon as you watch the sunset. You could also pair it with a light meal like a salad or grilled chicken.

The final word on the Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018

The Olivers Taranga ‘Chica’ Mencia Rosé 2018 certainly delivered on flavour and is sure to get you into the Spring spirit. It offers something different to the classic wines of Provence but is still crisp and refreshing. I’d recommend this to any Rosé lover looking to branch out. It’s packed full of flavour, creamy, zippy and refreshing. Above all it won’t last long once you crack it open – so maybe buy a couple of bottles!