Pig In The House Rose 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Strawberry & Cream Snap

A dry, organic Cowra rosé made mostly from Sangiovese with a tiny splash of Shiraz, giving it that pretty rose-gold colour and a little extra texture. It opens with strawberry, sour cherry and sweet spice, then moves into fresh strawberry and Kanzi apple flavours. Light, crisp and gently savoury, it is an easy warm-weather rosé with enough structure for lunch, antipasto and salty snacks.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Pig In The House — Windowrie’s organic Cowra range from the O’Dea family vineyard
• Strawberry, sour cherry, sweet spice, Kanzi apple and rose-gold colour
• Sangiovese rosé from Cowra, New South Wales, with a 0.6% touch of Shiraz
• Previous vintage reviews include 91 Points from Huon Hooke, The Real Review; 91 Points from QWine; Silver Medal at the Cowra Wine Show
• 12.7% ABV

Tasting Notes

Vibrant pinkish rose-gold in the glass, with aromas of strawberry, sour cherry and attractive sweet spice. The palate is dry and light-bodied, showing fresh strawberry, Kanzi apple, red berry brightness and a gentle savoury edge from Sangiovese. A small older-oak component adds subtle texture, while fresh acidity gives the finish its clean, lunchtime-ready lift.

Winemaking

This organic rosé is made from Sangiovese with a tiny 0.6% addition of Shiraz. The fruit was picked when the berries were showing vibrant red-fruit flavour, then made from free-run juice and treated like an aromatic white to protect crisp berry characters. A small portion was fermented in older, seasoned oak to build complexity and texture, before the touch of Shiraz was blended in to underline the natural salmon-pink colour.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Pig In The House’s organically grown vineyards in Cowra, New South Wales. Cowra’s warm inland days and cooler nights suit Sangiovese rosé, giving red-fruit flavour while keeping enough acidity for a dry, refreshing finish. The 2023 release is 12.7% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is the sort of rosé that works hard at the table without trying too hard in the glass. The strawberry and sour cherry notes make it instantly pretty, while the Sangiovese base brings a dry, savoury line that suits antipasto, pizza, salads and seafood. Certified organic and vegan suitable, it is easy to recommend for spring lunches, summer dinners and picnic-style grazing.

Food Pairing

With strawberry, sour cherry, Kanzi apple and dry Sangiovese freshness, this rosé suits salty, tomato-rich, herb-driven and lightly spicy foods. It is lovely with antipasto, grilled prawns, pizza, pasta salads, burrata, roast capsicum, basil and Mediterranean-style vegetables.

Try matching this wine with →

• Tomato, burrata and basil salad — Find a Recipe
• Grilled prawns with chilli and lemon — Find a Recipe
• Vegetarian pizza with roasted capsicum and olives — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for outdoor lunches, antipasto boards, pizza night, beach-house dinners or a simple glass while dinner comes together. It is dry, pretty and relaxed, with enough savoury shape to stay interesting beyond the first sip.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2026 for the freshest strawberry, sour cherry and apple characters. Rosé is usually at its best while young, especially when the appeal is freshness and colour. Store it cool and dark, and serve well chilled.

Producer

Pig In The House is part of Windowrie, a family-owned Cowra producer run by Jason and Rebecca O’Dea. The vineyards were planted in the mid-1990s on land that was once a free-range piggery, where the pigs were famously so free they sometimes wandered into the house. That quirky origin now sits behind a serious organic farming program, with the O’Dea family working to express their Cowra vineyard, soils and climate through approachable, fruit-led wines made with minimal interference.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy dry organic rosé with red fruit, texture and easy food appeal, these are lovely bottles to explore next:

• Dry preservative-free rosé with strawberry-and-cream charm — Mercer Preservative Free Rose
• Premium organic Cowra rosé with strawberry, cherry and cream — Sakura Rose
• Same producer, fresh organic Pinot Gris with pear and white peach — Pig In The House Pinot Gris

FAQ

What does Pig In The House Rose 2023 taste like?

It tastes dry, bright and red-fruited, with strawberry, sour cherry, Kanzi apple and sweet spice. The palate is light-bodied and refreshing, with a gentle savoury edge from Sangiovese. A small older-oak component adds subtle texture without making the wine taste oaky.

Is this rosé dry or sweet?

This is a dry rosé, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. The strawberry and apple notes give juicy fruit brightness, but the finish is clean rather than sweet. It is a good choice for drinkers who prefer rosé that works well with food.

What is the body and acidity like?

It is light-bodied with fresh, cleansing acidity. The Sangiovese base gives a little savoury structure, while the free-run juice keeps the palate delicate and aromatic. Serve it chilled to highlight the strawberry, sour cherry and apple brightness.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic rosé, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Pig In The House Rose?

Serve well chilled at around 8–10°C in a white wine glass or stemmed rosé glass. No decanting is needed. If the wine is ice-cold, let it sit for a few minutes so the strawberry, sour cherry and spice aromas can open.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It pairs beautifully with antipasto, tomato and burrata salad, grilled prawns, pizza, pasta salad, roast capsicum, olives and soft cheeses. The dry finish and fresh acidity suit salty foods, while the strawberry and sour cherry notes work with Mediterranean flavours. For a vegetarian match, try roasted vegetable pizza or tomato, basil and burrata.

Can this rosé be cellared?

It is best enjoyed young while the fruit and colour are fresh. Drink now to 2026 for the brightest strawberry, sour cherry and Kanzi apple characters. Store it somewhere cool and dark, away from heat and light.

Is Pig In The House Rose vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic. It is a good option for shared tables, picnics and casual entertaining where you want a dry rosé with broad appeal.

Who will enjoy this rosé the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy dry rosé with strawberry, sour cherry and a little savoury texture. If you like Provence-style rosé, Sangiovese rosé or lighter organic rosé wine that works with food, this is a natural fit. It is fresher and drier than sweeter pink styles.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar rosé with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for a lighter organic wine. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your overall plan.

(SKU: PI_Ros_CV)