These are the best rosé champagnes for Valentine’s Day
Want to pop a cork after you’ve pop the question? Or just after some fizz for a romantic evening? We’ve rounded up the best pink to drink this February 14th
Words: Jonathan Wells
Rosé champagne may be pretty in pink — but it’s also pretty rare. In fact, out of the millions of bottles of bubbly produced by France’s fizziest province every year, only 4% have a touch of blush to them. And, unlike normal rosé wine — which gets its distinct pink colour through the ‘saignée method’ (where red grape skins macerate into the wine during the fermentation process) — rosé champagne is created by adding a dash of red wine to normal, existing champers.
It’s special stuff, is our point. And, although it has been commercially available since the late 1700s, there’s still a certain stigma attached to rosé champagne. Is it perceived to be too feminine? Too sweet? Who knows. Thankfully, February 14th is the one day of the year when we’re actually encouraged to drink pink — a perfect pairing for the hearts, cards and syrupy sentiment.
And we’re all for it. So, to ensure you pop the right cork this Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best bottles of rosé champagne for February 14th…
Lanson Le Rosé Champagne
Which grape varieties? Chardonnay, primarily. But it owes that salmon pink shade to a shot of Pinot Noir.
Flavours and aromas? Roses, which makes it ideal for Valentine’s Day. Also hints of red berries and fruit, notably strawberry — and a crisp, well-rounded finish.
What does it pair with? Chocolate-dipped strawberries wouldn’t go amiss — although Lanson’s rosé also pairs perfectly with white meat mains and fresh fruit desserts. And, this year, the limited-edition Champagne Lanson Lovebox pairs a miniature bottle with an indulgent Mosaic Chocolate Bonbons by Biscuit Boutique.
Louis Roederer Rosé Vintage 2015
Which grape varieties? So new is this bottling that you can’t even buy it yet. Soon available at Hedonism and Selfridges, it uses Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and is one of few pink bubblies to be made using the ‘saignée method’.
Flavours and aromas? Again, fruit notes — but more intense this time. This is a punchier, more potent fizz with notes of rich blood orange and roasted cocoa beans amidst the requisite red- and blackcurrants.
What does it pair with? Given the power it has on the palate, and that saline — almost briny — core, Louis Roederer’s Valentine’s Day offering could stand up to gamier meats, including lamb, veal or pheasant.
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé
Which grape varieties? Laurent-Perrier has done the double: unusually using just one grape variety — Pinot Noir — as well as the rarer ‘saignée method’.
Flavours and aromas? Forget strawberries. This rosé is all about the raspberries and redcurrants; wonderfully refreshing and with small (yet vivacious) bubbles.
What does it pair with? Try something equally fresh to really bring out those flavours. We’d recommend marinated raw fish, ceviche or freshly grilled prawns.
Ruinart Rosé NV Champagne
Which grape varieties? Initially made as a Blanc de Blancs champagne from Chardonnay grapes, Ruinart adds a dash of Pinot Noir to the mix to put the ‘rose’ into ‘rosé’.
Flavours and aromas? There’s a beautiful depth to Ruinart’s rosé offering. The fruit-forward notes of strawberry and raspberry are present — but with more complex cherry aromas swirling around under the surface.
What does it pair with? Ideal for Valentine’s vegetarians, why not capitalise on that complexity and pair with other deep-flavoured fruits and vegetables — from fresh pineapple to roasted aubergine.
Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé 2012
Which grape varieties? A reasonably classic Pinot Noir (67%) and Chardonnay (33%) base, to create a silky, fine-textured fizz. And 5% of that is a sumptuous red wine from the Côte aux Enfants vineyard.
Flavours and aromas? Strong red fruit? Check. Peach notes? You bet. What else? Happily, while there are further red wine characteristics to be found on the palate (think spice), the lasting impression is zesty citrus.
What does it pair with? How about a a romantic wander to Burlington Arcade, when you’ll find the ‘Bollinger Burlington Bar’? Or, if it’s food you’re after, try something rich and savoury; such as duck or guinea fowl.
Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon Rose 2008
Which grape varieties? With 9% red wine in this delectable bottling, the balance is split reasonably evenly between a Côte des Blancs Chardonnay (45%) and a Valofroy Pinot Noir (55%).
Flavours and aromas? Thanks to the fact Billecart-Salmon use their own their own cultured yeast, you can expect subtler, more left-field flavours in this one; such as roasted nuts, blood orange, raspberry pulp and chalk.
What does it pair with? It’s a rich champagne — so it deserves rich food pairings. We can’t think of anything more hedonistic than a buttery lobster, some duck foie gras or even a juicy chicken breast in a madeira sauce.
Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne
Which grape varieties? With its Chardonnay base and shot of Pinot Noir for colour, Veuve Clicquot’s medium-bodied rosé has a vivid, vibrant colour — and looks great in the glass.
Flavours and aromas? It’s softness all around with this one. From those fine, silky bubbles to the rounded, robust berry flavours, it’s a luxurious rosé that rolls off the tongue.
What does it pair with? We’d go for something tart and fresh — to allow Veuve Clicquot’s rosé to soften its harsh edges. A peppery smoked salmon, perhaps.
Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé
Which grape varieties? From the largest estate in Champagne, Moët & Chandon have whipped up a top-line rosé from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes — with a signature pink copper colour.
Flavours and aromas? There’s something a little rogue about this rosé. With an unexpectedly zesty mouthfeel and flavours of earthier wild strawberries, it’s a rule-breaking, tastebud-tingling treat.
What does it pair with? Complement the zest of the wine with the zing of something piquant — perhaps a grilled fish meal topped with a pickled or marinated garnish.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2013
Which grape varieties? Another rosé to reach for the triple, this is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier varieties — a recipe that affords the champagne a rich, long palate.
Flavours and aromas? It’s a symphony of concentrated flavour; pinballing pleasantly between red berries (strawberry and raspberry), citrus notes (orange and grapefruit) and breadier aromas (brioche and almond).
What does it pair with? Whilst most bottles of PJ pair perfectly with breakfast, it’d have to be a meat-heavy meal to stand up to the intense bouquet on offer here. Crack out the sausages to get V Day off to a flavourful start.
Champagne Taittinger Prestige Rosé
Which grape varieties? Primarily, a high proportion of Chardonnay — which is unsurprising given how important it is to the inimitable Taittinger style. And a dash of vinified red Pinot Noir.
Flavours and aromas? Taittinger has gone in strong with the red berry flavours. Raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant notes are practically bursting from the bottle — and it has the best nose on this list.
What does it pair with? Salads. We know that sounds strange, but there’s something about its tingling taste and bold fruity flavours that’ll makes the cranberries pop out of your Santa Monica salad.
Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve
Which grape varieties? Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. So far, so expected. But Charles Heidsieck bucks the bubbly trend by blending the three in equal measure — giving it an attractive powdery pink colour.
Flavours and aromas? It’s almost got a creamy flavour — like a decadent fruity dessert. Think syrupy strawberries, raspberries and blackberries nestled in a mountain of velvety whipped cream.
What does it pair with? That dessert above sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Alternatively, the assertive flavours would stand up to most meals — from Asian-inspired chicken dishes to a hearty, meaty roast.
Nyetimber 1086 Rosé Prestige Cuvee
Which grape varieties? Despite this being the first (of two) English sparkling rosés to sneak onto this list, Nyetimber’s premier pink wine does things properly; sticking to the established blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Flavours and aromas? One sip of this sparkling wine, and you’ll be propelled from the depths of February into the warm climes of summer. Think cherry, redcurrant and all manner of British summer fruits (with a touch of shortbread) to give you an elegantly English fluteful.
What does it pair with? While, like many of the French wines on this list, Nyetimber’s 1086 Rosé Prestige Cuvee would pair delightfully with British game and poultry, we’d suggest jumping back across the Channel for a langoustine accompaniment.
Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage
Which grape varieties? It’s another one-two-three punch of Pinot Noir (50%), Pinot Meunier (30%) and Chardonnay (20%) for Piper-Heidsieck’s offering; with an unusually large proportion of red wine in the mix.
Flavours and aromas? Unsurprisingly, that red wine is evident on the palate. It’s almost jammy; with rich, deep and decadent notes of blackberry and blackcurrant. Whispers of orange, perhaps, before a thick, smoky finish.
What does it pair with? It’s exceedingly flavoursome to begin with, so we’d recommend doubling down. That means caviar; and lots of it. The bubbles will neutralise those harsh salty notes, and leave you with a match made in Champagne.
Chapel Down Rosé Brut
Which grape varieties? Our final rosé bucks a couple of trends. Not only is it another English option (from Kent’s Chapel Down vineyard), but it also fizzes with one grape type only; the indomitable Pinot Noir.
Flavours and aromas? It’s something of an enigma, this one. Those juicy, fruity notes of cherries and redcurrants are definitely there (with the odd crumb of shortbread), but the overarching feel is that of freshness; a crisp, almost citrus-forward flavour.
What does it pair with? We’d go cheese. But not any old cheese. A chunk of the finest, most mature Parmigiano Reggiano. Or, if you want to stay within British borders, try Devon-based Parmesan-pretender ‘Twineham Grange’.
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