Zonte’s Footstep Scarlet Ladybird Rosé 2024 from South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula is a vibrant, dry rosé made in the producer’s long‑standing house style, showing fresh red apples, raspberry and strawberry with a lifted, pretty perfume that still feels serious in the glass. It is named after the ladybirds that help keep the vines healthy by eating pests, and the wine is very much about fruit purity and refreshment.

On the palate Scarlet Ladybird 2024 is light bodied, fine and refreshing, with crunchy red apple, strawberry and raspberry flavours carried by bright acidity and a long, moreish finish that stays clean and dry. There is just enough texture and gentle phenolic grip to make it properly food friendly rather than simple lolly water.

This Fleurieu rosé is ideal with prawns, grilled fish, salads, mezze or a plate of antipasti on a warm day, where its red fruit, crunch and dry finish really shine. With an 87‑point, bronze‑medal style rating at Tastings.com for the 2024 vintage and a history of gold medals in earlier years, it is a reliably tasty pink to pour by the glass.