There's a gap on most wine lists.
Between the crisp, grapefruit-edged Sauvignon Blancs and the pale Provençal rosés, there's a stretch of soft, fruit-driven wines that nobody really owns. Not quite SB, not quite rosé. Fresh, lightly pink, easy to order — but hard to find.
That's the slot Blush lives in.
What it is
Sauvignon Blanc is the backbone. Pinot Noir adds the blush and softens the edges. The third grape is whatever the vintage calls for — Chardonnay in 2024, Pinot Gris in 2025 — the piece that completes the blend, delivering that little bit of creaminess and softness that keeps the mouthfeel consistent year on year.
Not a classic rosé. Not a traditional Sauv Blanc. Something in between, and it moves.
On the nose: passionfruit, feijoa and lime zest, lifted by a hint of sweet strawberry.
On the palate: vibrant, juicy, clean, intensely flavoursome without being weighty. Acidity keeps it honest, but there is less of it; it tastes a bit rounder than classic Marlborough SB.
Cuisine Magazine gave it four stars: "Red fruits sit alongside the Sauvignon characteristics beautifully in this oh-so-pale blush wine." Cameron Douglas gave the Blush 90 points and flagged the tropical fruit, citrus and fine saline finish.
Why we made it
Because the category was missing something.
We kept watching wine lists fill the spring-summer slot with default SBs and default rosés. The drinker who wanted more fruit than a crisp Marlborough SB, but didn't want to commit to a full rosé, was left nowhere. Not every drinker needs a bone-dry pink. Not every drinker wants grapefruit pith.
Blush is for that drinker.
Who it's for
In the trade:
- By-the-glass programs that want a softer-fruit option alongside SB and rosé
- Casual dining where the wine order happens fast and the bottle has to land immediately
- Terraces, rooftops, beachside venues — warmer-weather accounts
- Retail for anyone asking for "something different from Sauvignon but not a rosé"
If your account has a by-the-glass SB that's tired and a rosé that sells itself, Blush is the third option that plugs the gap.
The commercial case
Blush is the easy hand-sell. Familiar enough to feel safe — it's Sauvignon, everyone knows Sauvignon — but different enough to stand out. Staff can sell it in one sentence: "It's a soft blush Sauvignon, tastes like passionfruit and strawberry, perfect for right now."
One sentence is all you need at the bar on a busy Friday.
Serving
Chill well, pour generously, don't overthink it. Works at 6–8°C. Pairs with:
- Seafood, shellfish, ceviche
- Summer salads, grain bowls, grilled vegetables
- Lighter Asian dishes — Thai, Vietnamese, dim sum
- Charcuterie, soft cheeses
- Anything summery
And it works on its own, which is mostly how it gets drunk.
The landing moment
The 2025 vintage just officially touched down in the Netherlands — paired course-by-course at a winemakers' dinner at Southern Cross Restaurant, where the whole room kept coming back to it. Fresh, vibrant, dangerously drinkable. Didn't stand still for long.
That's about the strongest endorsement a wine gets: a dining room full of sommeliers and buyers, three glasses each, no leftovers.
Availability
2025 vintage, current. Allocation for NZ, Australia, Europe and the US. Tech sheets and campaign imagery in the Trade Hub.
Questions, orders or samples — drop Carlos a line: carlos@mistycovewines.com
