Rose Champagne

Seductive, forward and fruity, the Imperial Rosé is a great ambassador for this famous name.  Pinots Noir and Meunier dominate the blend, with 10 % of the former added as red wine, and then 10% Chardonnay completing the ensemble and adding floral elegance and hints of white peach on the palate. 30% of Reserve Wine lends depth and complexity, and a relatively modest 9 g/l dosage complements the exuberant red fruit personality with great panache.  
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

The enthusiastically engaging Benoît Marguet-Bonnerave, the fifth generation in the family, is at the helm of Marguet. Benoît has coverted the vineyards (in two villages, Ambonnay and Bouzy, both Grand Cru) to biodynamic farming since 2009 and uses extremely low quantities of sulphites in the winemaking. He has been particularly successful with his rosé, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by the saignée method.

Who better than Benoît Marguet, doyen of Ambonnay, to complete our UKC Grand Cru trilogy? Sourced from the finest Grand Cru villages, this is perfectly balanced and richly structured. It is an exuberant and beautifully fragrant wine, with red berries and other summer fruits dancing harmoniously on the palate.

Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family and was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100 percent control of production.

Billecart-Salmon is renowned for the quality of its delicate rosé – and rightfully so. This is a delightful rosé with a charming, fruity nose and palate with hints of roasted nuts.

Based on the 2007 vintage this is the best Non-Vintage Mailly Rosé we have yet tasted; the blend is more Pinot-dominated than the Brut, that is to say 75% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, the red grapes macerated by the saignée method, with old vine Chardonnay added at the assemblage stage. The dosage is 8 g/l.

The wine has a generous pink colouring and attractive rose petal aromatics, followed by notes of crushed raspberry and soft spice. The red fruit personality of the wine is sufficiently charismatic to make this a very good partner across the meal, from game terrine all the way through to a tarte tatin!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

Bollinger is famed for its rich and savoury style of wines, dominated by Pinot Noir and underwritten by oak fermentation and extensive lees maturation. It seemed only a matter of time before the release of a non-vintage rosé and this wine has been well worth the wait.

Dry, powerful and very serious indeed, this highly polished rosé combines notes of plum, patisserie, cinnamon and spice. With structure and weight and harmony of vibrant flavours right across the palate, this is a delicious accompaniment that can match a variety of dishes.

Gosset is the oldest known producer of wine in Champagne, its origins going back to 1584. Situated in the tiny Grand Cru village of Aÿ, 5km from Epernay, Gosset has some rather famous neighbours, including Bollinger. Production, however, is much below that of the larger houses, at around 1.3 million bottles, where as Moët & Chandon are nearing 30 million. With this small production, Gosset concentrates on the quality of its wines rather than the quantity.

I used to find the style of Gosset’s Rosé a little ponderous, sometimes almost oxidised. How all that has changed; the wine is now wonderfully clean, with flavours of rosehip, redcurrant and peach, wonderful aromatics and impeccable length. The archetype of great rosé Champagne.

Bin end – limited quantities at a discounted price.

Archetypical rose, made from bled grapes, dominated by red fruits and an aestetic ensemble which is close to irresistible.

The 1998 Dom Perignon Rose is a striking, intensely perfumed wine redolent of sweet candied cherries and spices. This medium-bodied wine possesses gorgeous structure, and ideally another year or two of cellaring is warranted in order for the full range of aromas and flavors to emerge. The Dom Perignon Rose is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, with most of the Pinot coming from the south-facing vineyards of Ay. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020 (Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, Dec 08)

Bright salmon with cherry copper tints, energy and vitality.  Initially discreet on the nose despite its breadth and underlying richness, with delicate strawberry fruit and touches of minerality.  More spicy complexity as it opens, with real depth and power.  In the mouth, fine mousse on the attack with precise mineral notes wrapped in velour, fleshy and mouth-filling but effortlessly balanced by freshness.  Needs time to develop but manages to combine the freshness of the 2004 and breadth of the 2002 within a suave textured package.  
Adrian Brice - Fine Wine Buyer

Unlike the elegant 2004, this 2005 is muscular, masculine and unquestionably a powerhouse Rosé. Initially expressive nose of spicy red fruit. Much more “red” in character than “rosé” due to the high percentage of still red wine (approx. 27% instead of average 19%). Over time the nose evolves beautifully in the glass revealing spicy strawberry notes. In the mouth the wine is big, rich, masculine and mouth-filling. Initially the acid is a touch disjointed but this can be forgiven due to the age of the wine. In the glass the palate comes together nicely with very fine tannin. This needs food and time. The vertical tasting of 2005/2004/2003/2002 really showed how Dom Perignon are possibly the best at expressing the individual characteristics of the year while retaining their beautiful house style. 2005 is another great Rosé (from the very BEST producers of Rosé) to add to the pantheon of legendary vintages since 1959. 
Gareth Birchley - Fine Wine Buyer

From the more muscular end of the Rosé spectrum, made by the assemblage method, a complex and satisfying blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with hints of summer fruits, a creamy texture and real power on the finish.

Krug was established in 1843 and has since specialised in producing only prestige and specialised Champagnes. It is the only firm still producing all its Champagne in small oak casks, an essential element for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavours.

This refined rosé, with exquisitely clean summer fruit and exceptional length, is about as good as rosé gets. Krug Rosé is the only prestige cuvée rosé to be blended from a palette of wines from three different grape varieties, and from a wide range of vintages. A resting time of at least five years in Krug’s cellars gives Krug Rosé its subtle bubbles and long-lasting elegance. Krug Rosé is a remarkable Champagne which encapsulates the creative spirit of Krug Grande Cuvée.

A perennial favourite in the UK, Champagne Pol Roger is undoubtedly one of the most popular Champagnes on our list and 2008 joins a pantheon of great Champagne vintages, rivalling 2002, 1996, 1990 and 1988. Pol Roger Vintage Rosé - they do not make a non-vintage - is often mooted by the critics as one of the best on the market and the newly released 2008 does nothing to dispel that assertion.

The house remains family owned and maintains a reputation of crafting wines of elegance and finesse capable of extended cellaring. The 2008 has been produced from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay drawn from some 20 Premier and Grand cru sites on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. In order to obtain its delicate colour and subtle nose 15% Pinot Noir, from selected vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Cumieres, is vinified “en rouge” and added to the blend prior to the second fermentation.

Only produced in limited quantities this is delicious now as our tasting last week affirmed but it will probably be at its best in a year or so and then over the next 5 years.
Sourced only from Grand and Premier Cru sites and having slumbered in Pol's deep cool cellars for six and a half years, this outstanding Rosé fully merits the accolades that have been gleaned by house and wine alike. The blend is made up of 35% Chardonnay, the balance Pinot Noir, of which 15% has been added as red wine.

The classic vintage conditions, cool and then sunny at all the right times, is echoed by the harmonious balance of the wine, a symphony of subtle red fruit charm, with hints of vanillin and grapefruit on the finish providing even greater complexity. The pink peppercorn colour presages a gravitas which is more than merited by a rich yet vinous mouthfeel and a gently spicy finish.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Like the 2006, Pol Roger have crafted yet another seductively mellow rosé in 2008. A gentle summer pudding feel with soft strawberries and blackcurrants along with hints of elderflower and watered down lemon juice.

There is an enthusiastic introduction to the palate of richly weighted ripe red fruits whose upfront appeal precedes a languid ease and the merest hint of minerality behind. Plenty of substance and length here, serious but deceptive with an almost casually carefree finish. 2017-2022.
Peter Newton, Private Account Manager

Bollinger's Grande Année Rosé champagne is a subtler wine than its non-vintage sibling, lighter in colour and more delicate of aroma, yet ultimately more profound. Pinot Noir, as one would expect, dominates the blend ( 68%) , and is also added as a still wine, but only a relatively modest 5%. Onion-skin heading towards salmon of colour, the 2004 boasts all the qualities of this generous vintage and the wine, en bouche, combines lively red fruit notes with a savoury, satisfying finish. Taut and focused, this is an engaging exemplar of the cerebral potential of Rosé Champagne in general and Bollinger’s burgeoning expertise in this area in particular.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer) 

The Pol Roger Rosé is often mooted by the critics as one of the best on the market. Pol Roger does not make a Non-Vintage Rosé, preferring to release only in vintage years. The 2006 Brut Rose Vintage is produced from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay drawn from some 20 Premiers and Grands crus on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.

In order to obtain its delicate colour and subtle nose 15% Pinot Noir, from selected vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Cumieres, is vinified “en rouge” and added to the blend prior to the second fermentation.


Wonderfully salmon pink hue, with lots of fresh red berries on the nose, this is a fine rose from Pol Roger. Creamy and textured on the palate, this would be a brilliant match with a raspberry soufflé or summer pudding.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager

Fresh wild strawberries, whipped vanilla cream and caramelised pastry – no this isn’t a delicious pudding, but a regal rose Champagne from the infamous Pol Roger. A lovely rusty pink colour in the glass with spicy peppercorns, summer blossom and fresh herbs. The 2006 grips to your taste buds with layer upon layer of red summer berries. This has all of the finesse I would expect, with a persistent and long finish.
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager

Only 1,200 bottles of this superb Chardonnay are made, the lieu dit in question covering a mere 0.118 of a hectare! Tasting the wine, it is easy to understand why The Wine Advocate rewarded it with 97 points for its 2004 vintage! It is extraordinarily complex, with dense buttery citric notes on the one hand and on the other more exotic flavours, redolent of beeswax and quince. An outstanding vin de terroir, with plenty of ebullience and fizz to boot!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

The 2004 Pol Rosé is made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and includes 13% Vin Rouge de Champagne, the latter sourced from two growers in the village of Chouilly and added to the assemblage before the second fermentation.

The complementary hallmarks of both Pol and the highly successful, indeed initially under-rated 2004 vintage are evidenced, namely supreme elegance and great harmony. The rose petal fragrances cede to a palate where wild strawberry, spiced pepper and gentle herbs are pleasingly conjoined. The wine has a certain vinosity which will work nicely with puddings, but also a distinct balletic elegance which makes it perfect also as an apéritif.
Simon Field MW, BBR Wine Buyer

Louis Roederer, a wonderful family-owned Champagne House founded in 1776, has a tremendous reputation for quality. It has remained an independent, family-owned company and is now managed by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage. Eighty percent of the firm's needs are supplied by their own, magnificent, 444 acres of vineyard holdings.

The nose is full of wild berries, rose petal and lemon zest as well as secondary aromas of vanillin and cacao. On the palate, the wine is fresh and mineral with a silky texture and good length.