Jacob's Creek, Moscato Rose, NV, South Australia

For every action there is an equal an opposite reaction-Newton's Law

After the success of Jacob's Creek Moscato I had fairly high hopes for the Moscato rose. I am an eejit and no mistaking. On the nose flavours of strawberry laces and candy floss had my heart sinking. The palate lacked all the positive aspects of the white Moscato as without the acidity to balance out the sweetness the claggy feeling was there in full force. The flavours were not of fresh fruit but of pick and mix-fake cherries, marshmallows and more strawberry laces. Thankfully the finish is short but if you are offered the choice between the two Moscato's; don't take the red pill.

No:19 Jacob's Creek Moscato, NV, South Australia

Jacob's Creek has had mixed fortunes so far with me; a fun, fresh and fruity rose did pretty well and we happily polished the bottle off between us at my small friends joint first birthday party. Not the small friends you understand, they were busy smearing frozen watermelon on themselves and fighting over toys.

 Jacob's Creek NV not so good, reminiscent of pub carpets it was something of a calamity of a sparkling wine so when faced with their Moscato I approached it like a postman seeing an unfamiliar dog.

On the nose pears, peaches, apricots all made for a fresh and fruity start. On the palate a very similar story with hints of vanilla, candied peel and orange blossom diving in to the mix. At 9% this is as sweet as expected and has a creamy mouthfeel but good acidity to balance out the sweetness and avoids becoming claggy (Google it!)

Despite not having the obligatory gold stickers all over the bottle this wine is highly awarded and I can see why. It's a well balanced, approachable, fresh and fruity off-dry sparkler. If you are looking for something a little sweeter and a little lower in alcohol this isn't a bad place to start at all.

No. 43 Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose NV

In my tasting tour of 100 Australian sparkling wines Jacob's Creek Sparkling NV didn't do so well for the big brands. I had remembered that the rose was supposed to be better but not having tried it for a while I was a little hesitant.

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the grapes are vinified separately and then blended before bottle fermentation commences. This sparkling is only bottle ferments so is disgorged into a tank before being re-bottled. The Jacob's Creek website says that "A degree of natural pink colour is also preserved in the finished wine to produce this sparkling rose style." A degree of natural pink colour? How much of it isn't natural?

Terrifying food colouring aside, this went down far, far better than the NV. It still definitely sits in party wine category, just not in my guests actually hate me party wine category. The extra dosage gives it a little sweetness so it will be able to take the spiciness of a salsa dip or the sweetness of the birthday cake. I really did try it with both those things once all the babies had gone home after a first birthday

This is its success; bags of red fruit flavours, redcurrants, cherries, strawberries with the merest hint of vanilla and sweet spices. The bubbles dissipate fairly quickly in the mouth but overall the flavour is pleasant and fruity. On a scorching hot day for an afternoon get togetherthe Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose would be a great option  for those on a budget who need something fruity and easy drinking that would work well with the mix of party foods on offer. More dip anyone?