There’s no better sign of celebration than popping a great bottle of Champagne. With the rise in popularity of rosé Champagnes we selected the three most exclusive (and expensive) bottles on the market today.
VEUVE CLICQUOT LA GRANDE DAME 1998 BRUT ROSÉ
Of the Champagnes available, the creme de la creme is no doubt La Grande Dame Rose. First created in 1988 and launched in 1995 it’s both a tribute to Madame Clicquot and the reflection of the Veuve Clicquot terroir. Highlighting the collection this celebratory occasion is La Grande Dame Rose 2006.
La Grande Dame Rose 2006 scores high amongst winemakers. With a crop of superb quality, tannins are well integrated with further blending expected. The blend comprises 53 percent Pinot Noir wines from the Grands Crus of Ay, Verzenay, and 47 percent Chardonnays from three Grand Crus: Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Finishing it off is red wine produced entirely from Pinot Noir from Bouzy.
ARMAND DE BRIGNAC BRUT ROSÉ
Each Armand de Brignac Rose champagne bottle is made up of a mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier coming from three different vintages, selected from years of excellent crops. The Champagne is composed solely of grapes from Premier and Grand Cru wineries coming from 3 of the area’s historic grounds: the Cote des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne. Armand de Brignac Rose can be described as gorgeous salmon-hued champagne created in the typical, old-world pattern. Its nose is vibrant and even clean having red fresh fruits in advance and then gently smoky grilled tones right behind. The Champagne is refreshing and full-bodied on the palate by having bouquet of fresh strawberries along with blackcurrant and Armand de Brignac’s trait lengthy, smooth finish.
Unlike many rosés, which gain their color from sitting over the skins of crushed grapes, this garnet-hued beauty instead incorporates red still wine during the blending process. That touch brings out some darker fruit flavors that give this champagne an irresistible heft and richness.
RARE ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE MILLESIME 2008
The Piper-Heidsieck ‘Rare’ Vintage Brut is only made in the very best of years – and have to be considered perfect for what Regis Camus calls “an extraordinary cuvee”. The wine is matured for over seven years in their cellars before being dressed and ready for release.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. Notes of tangerine, lychee and verbena alternate with hints of syrupy elderberry, of sweet almonds. Freshly picked dark crisp fruit (blackcurrant, blueberry, lingonberry), the nose is generous, heralding a vintage with exceptional potential. The velvety texture unfurls to offer minerality and subtlety. Initially, the exuberant vitality of dark fruits and of citrus is followed by the vibrancy, smoky notes and aromas of star anise and violets. Then the triumphant delicacy expresses a hint of vanilla.
by Helene Rambaud
Haute Today 