Winemaker Notes
The wine's incredibly dense, coppery rose gold color anticipates the richness and depth of its bouquet. The bubbles are very subtle. The 2014 vintage displays its extraordinary personality from the first nose. After strong aromas of red and dark fruits - wild strawberry, black cherry, blackberry - and blood orange, on the second nose, musk, apricot and candied orange covered in dark chocolate come together, simultaneously revealing a hint of candied fruit and chocolate, violet, rose, and guava. Finally, spiced aromas - star anise and pepper - emerge, complemented by a touch of kirsch and brioche. The nose lingers on the palate, thanks in particular to the violet and red fruits. The attack is succulent and fiery in its concentration. Pomegranate, Morello cherry and dried flowers assert themselves. Notes of strawberry tart and crème pâtissière then characterize the generous, velvety flavor. Rare Rosé finishes with a powerful, swirling, vinous tension, worthy of a fine dining champagne: chocolate, pink peppercorns and kirsch bloom on the palate. A wonderfully long, positive bitterness rounds off the tasting of this eccentric vintage.
Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Bursts with vibrant energy as soon as this hits the palate, yet is refined and elegant throughout -- akin to a prima ballerina's marriage of stored power and grace. Reveals a lovely range of strawberry coulis, blood orange granita, raw almond, honeycomb, smoke and chalk notes framed by chiseled acidity and carried on the vivacious, finely detailed mousse. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2038.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 14th vintage of Rare, the 2014 Champagne Millésime Rosé has 9 grams per liter dosage, and most of the Pinot Noir in it comes from Verzy, with the red wine coming from Les Ricey. Pouring a brilliant orange/pink hue, the wine is juicy and fresh with aromas of wild strawberry tart, graham, blood orange, and a hint of cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, its mousse is inviting and adds just a hint of spice character, with notes of grapefruit pith on the finish. A bit more reserved on opening, it will benefit with more time to open and show its best, but it has a very attractive structure. Drink 2025-2040.
-
James Suckling
The fourth vintage of Rare Rosé, showing notes of cherry blossom, rose hips, black currants, cherry stones and some balsamic alongside star anise. Lovely perfumed character on the palate, with roses coming to the forefront. Soft bubbles. Bright and open red fruit. 60% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir, mostly from Montagne de Reims, with 12% red wine from Les Riceys. 9g/L dosage. Delicious now.
What are the different types of sparkling rosé wine?
Rosé sparkling wines like Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and others make a fun and festive alternative to regular bubbles—but don’t snub these as not as important as their clear counterparts. Rosé Champagnes (i.e., those coming from the Champagne region of France) are made in the same basic way as regular Champagne, from the same grapes and the same region. Most other regions where sparkling wine is produced, and where red grape varieties also grow, also make a rosé version.
How is sparkling rosé wine made?
There are two main methods to make rosé sparkling wine. Typically, either white wine is blended with red wine to make a rosé base wine, or only red grapes are used but spend a short period of time on their skins (maceration) to make rosé colored juice before pressing and fermentation. In either case the base wine goes through a second fermentation (the one that makes the bubbles) through any of the various sparkling wine making methods.
What gives rosé Champagne and sparkling wine their color and bubbles?
The bubbles in sparkling wine are formed when the base wine undergoes a secondary fermentation, which traps carbon dioxide inside the bottle or fermentation vessel. During this stage, the yeast cells can absorb some of the wine’s color but for the most part, the pink hue remains.
How do you serve rosé sparkling wine?
Treat rosé sparkling wine as you would treat any Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and other sparkling wine of comparable quality. For storing in any long-term sense, these should be kept at cellar temperature, about 55F. For serving, cool to about 40F to 50F. As for drinking, the best glasses have a stem and a flute or tulip shape to allow the bead (bubbles) and beautiful rosé hue to show.
How long do rosé Champagne and sparkling wine last?
Most rosé versions of Prosecco, Champagne, Cava or others around the “$20 and under” price point are intended for early consumption. Those made using the traditional method with extended cellar time before release (e.g., Champagne or Crémant) can typically improve with age. If you are unsure, definitely consult our Customer Care team for guidance.
Associated with luxury, celebration, and romance, the region, Champagne, is home to the world’s most prized sparkling wine. In order to bear the label, ‘Champagne’, a sparkling wine must originate from this northeastern region of France—called Champagne—and adhere to strict quality standards. Made up of the three towns Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ, it was here that the traditional method of sparkling wine production was both invented and perfected, birthing a winemaking technique as well as a flavor profile that is now emulated worldwide.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
With nearly negligible exceptions, . These can be blended together or bottled as individual varietal Champagnes, depending on the final style of wine desired. Chardonnay, the only white variety, contributes freshness, elegance, lively acidity and notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers. Pinot Noir and its relative Pinot Meunier, provide the backbone to many blends, adding structure, body and supple red fruit flavors. Wines with a large proportion of Pinot Meunier will be ready to drink earlier, while Pinot Noir contributes to longevity. Whether it is white or rosé, most Champagne is made from a blend of red and white grapes—and uniquely, rosé is often produce by blending together red and white wine. A Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay will be labeled as ‘blanc de blancs,’ while ones comprised of only red grapes are called ‘blanc de noirs.’