Palazzo

Newsletter

February 28, 2009

In the Pink

The Beauty of Bubbly

Ah, the nectar of the gods! Pink champagne is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. If white champagne is the drink of choice to celebrate life, then pink is the celebration of romance. White champagne is the grand dame and pink, the naughty mistress. True champagne must come from the area in France called Champagne, located northeast of Paris, where the chalky soil retains heat longer allowing the grapes to ripen in cool, crisp air. That sumptuous rose color comes from the skin of the grape and the traditional process of mixing two-thirds black grape with one third white grape. It is a combination of chardonnay and dry grapes; pinot noir and pinot meunier. After pressing, the skin of the black grapes are left in the white wine thereby dyeing it to produce pink champagne's gorgeous hue. The wine is fermented twice and aged for a minimum of at least fifteen months. The sweetness or dryness is determined by the amount of sugar that is added after the wine has fermented. However, because rose is a brut, it is never too sweet and generally one of the driest of the readily available champagnes. Not just pretty, it is also one of the most versatile pairing wines. Once bottled, champagne does not improve with age. 

Moet & Chandon

Brut Rose

A blend of three wine varieties, with an emphasis on Pinot Noir, embodying a fruity and daring character. Lively, expressive, dominated by the scent of wild strawberries. Full bodied, zestful, assertive fruitiness.

($50)

Moet & Chandon

Rose Imperial

A glamorous champagne. The most extrovert and seductive expression of the Moet & Chandon style. It reflects the diversity and complementarities of the three champagne grapes and the richness of the region’s best vineyards to reveal the magic of the world’s most loved champagne. Lively and generous, and distinguished by a radiant color; an intense fruitiness and flamboyance on the palate, that seduces and delights.($60)

Veuve Clicquot Rose

Luminous color with radiant rose accents. The nose is elegant and generous, with initial aromas of fresh red fruit (raspberry, wild strawberry, cherry and blackberry) leading to dried fruits and biscuit notes (almonds, apricots and brioche). On the palate, the fresh first impression is followed by a fruity harmonious sensation. Perfectly balanced and combines elegance and personality. This delectable champagne is beautifully ample and full of charm.($60)

Taittinger Prestige Rose

A blend of various Champagne wines from several harvests. A small quantity of red wine is added before bottling to give this wine its delightful pink hue. The brilliant pink color is shimmering and intense. It gives off aromas of red fruit (freshly crushed wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant).
On the palate, this is a subtle and velvety wine of fine balance and body with flavors of fresh fruit.
In all, a very pleasing wine of balance and youth.($75)

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose

Prior to dégorgement, this rose is aged three to four years to capture the elegant complexity and full body of the Pinot Noir grape. Produced solely from Pinot Noir grapes in years exceptional enough to declare a vintage, it is appropriately presented in an antique-style bottle of XVIIIth century design. A wine of exquisite refinement; its brilliant salmon pink color is punctuated by fine, lasting pinpoint bubbles. The sweet, red berry fragrance is offset by very subtle notes of earth and minerals. On the palate, clean, vibrant red fruit flavors are balanced by a crisp, refined acidity which carries into an elegant, complex finish.($350)

Laurent Perrier Cuvee Rose Brut

A fairly deep salmon-pink color enhanced by a long stream of fine bubbles. Clear and wonderfully fresh, reminiscent of red and black fruit like raspberries, black cherries and blackcurrants. With its bottle shape dating from the late 16th century, this is a traditionally made rosé. It is full, ripe, flavored with strawberries and other sweet red fruits, with a layer of dryness. The wine finishes fresh and crisp. ($95)

Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle Alexandra Rose

Made in extremely limited quantities and only from the very best vintages. Alexandra Rosé is only the fourth bottling of this exclusive and extraordinary Champagne. Its color is a deep salmon pink and its fine bead exhales zesty orange peel and preserved berry aromas. It offers a lingering finish that is topped off by a hint of ripe red fruit and a firm structure. ($200)

Louis Roederer Brut Rose

Full and round with smooth flavors. Light and very pretty with a bit of hazelnut. The extra measure of Chardonnay contributes elegance and austerity that balance nicely with the delicate fruitiness of the Pinot Noir. An excellent value from the makers of Cristal. ($75)

The Correct Way to Open and Enjoy a Bottle of Champagne

Peel the foil. Twist the metal ring to loosen the muselet, or wire cage that secures the champagne cork. Cover the top of bottle with a napkin. Hold the bottle at a right angle. Hold cork steady and slowly twist the bottle with your right hand. Although you may be tempted to release the top with a pop, this releases the bubbles too quickly. It is best to twist the bottle while allowing the cork to remain in hand.

Serving champagne in a slender flute retains the bubbles and flavor longer than a wide mouth glass. The glass should be held at an angle and filled 1/3 up until the bubbles begin to dissipate and then slowly topped to 3/4 of the glass. Flutes should be held by the stem to avoid temperature change.