Swiss & French rosé sparklers!

With the warm weather fast approaching (it is, honest!) we are stocking some lovely sparkling rosés ready for the summer.

Here I have highlighted two that I think you should seriously consider as they are both excellent examples of their style and where they're produced, namely Switzerland and France.

The first is a beautifully delicate rosé from the producer Mauler in Motiers-Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Rosé Methode Traditionelle n.v. Mauler & Cie SA

This is a blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Chardonnay.

It spends 2 years in bottle before being released.

Tasting Note:

This really is a delightful wine with petillant freshness and wonderfully delicate linden, moss & almond aromas. This is well structured with a charming liveliness on the palate that is just perfect for a hot summers day.

Food match:

Beautiful chilled and on its own it can also be enjoyed with hor d'oeuvres, fish, lobster, and white meats. It would also match well with a fresh fruit salad and cream. Hot summers afternoon and the latter is sounding glorious.

My second recommendation is a lovely Cremant de Bourgogne sparkling rosé.

Domaine Stéphane Aladame Crémant Bourgogne Rosé Brut n.v.

Aladame is one of the rising stars of the younger generation of French vignerons, and has already attracted a considerable amount of attention in France. His wines are deeply serious and rank among the best to come from this appellation. His vineyards are now organic

Grapes for this Crémant de Bourgogne were grown in the Aladame family‘s Montagny vineyards, in the far south of the Côte Chalonnaise. This is a sparkling wine made only from the classic Burgundy grape varieties  and is 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir.

Vinification:

The grapes are picked by hand in open boxes and pressed immediately after. The colour comes from the gently pressed Pinot Noir grapes. The first fermentation is carried out in temperature controlled,
stainless steel tanks. The wine is then bottled and held in temperature controlled storage for 9 months. The length of time before release varies depending on the vintage. 

Tasting Note:

Light pink in colour, with a fine mousse and perfumes of strawberries and raspberries on the nose giving way to a fresh, lively palate with fresh berry fruit and peach characters. The mousse is long-lasting and delicate.

Food Match:

Much as above, light foods are the order of the day. Fresh fruit salad is still the one for me though. Have either of these bottles available at any summer party, small gathering of friends or just you and a lounger in the garden and you can't go wrong.


Blog written by John Martin