Rosé Champagne Posted: Thursday, February 01, 2007
By Bruce Sanderson
More and more Americans will be drinking pink when they pop a cork on Champagne this year.
Rosé, with its range of berry and spice flavors and appealing color, has outpaced the
overall Champagne category in shipments to the United States, almost doubling in the past two years.
And with good reason. Rosé Champagnes offer a wide choice of styles, with flavors that
can be subtle—for example, strawberry, cherry and spice notes—or a Pinot Noir with bubbles. The
colors range from onion skin and salmon to pink and bright cherry red.
Most rosé Champagnes are nonvintage cuvées—blends of up to three of the
region's grape varieties across two or more vintages. They maintain a consistent house style, but it's the
vintage-dated rosés that truly stand out. They are generally made only in the best years
and bear the distinctive personality of the growing season. Those made with the house's best wine, the tête
de cuvée, allow the chef de cave more creativity.
"In the nonvintage I respect the consumer, in the vintage I respect the sommelier and in the
Palmes d'Or I respect my choice," says Nicolas Feuillatte's chef de cave, Jean-Pierre Vincent.
These vintage rosés stood out in my recent tasting for Wine Spectator, Cigar
Aficionado's sister publication.
• Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé Champagne La Grande Dame 1995 (93 points) Somewhat mature
aromas and flavors of decaying cherry and berry, warm spice and woodsy accents and a firm structure mark this
silky, vinous rosé. It's like a mature Burgundy with bubbles. Will pair well with food.
Drink now through 2010.
• Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé Champagne Cuvée Palmes d'Or 2000 (92 points) Full
of flavor and finesse, this rosé evokes cherry, spice and a touch of green, minty notes. It's finely
woven, with a very silky mousse and long, dried berry aftertaste. Drink now through 2010.
• Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1995 (92 points)
Vibrant, firm, intense and minerally, supporting subtle berry and currant aromas and flavors. It's elegant, though
well-toned, with a dry, chalky finish. Drink now through 2010. |
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