We caught ourselves scratching our heads somewhat this week over what Saturday's tasting should be - from Barossa and Central Otago through to Spain and Tuscany, we've explored many of the great varietals of the world lately, and became stumped on where we should go next. All we knew is we wanted something a bit different, but equally tempting for you all in this colder weather...
Join us Saturday (6th July) between 12 to 2pm as we pop the corks on a terrific lineup of rosé champagnes! We'll be covering some great names, with Perrier-Jouët, Bollinger, Roederer, Billecart-Salmon, Palmer & Co and Devaux all making appearances with their pink-tinged releases. Our Champagne tastings in the past have generally always been towards the end of the year to go alongside festive celebrations, so we're all too happy to be jumping the gun for once and enjoy some mid-year bubbles ?
Rosé Champagne Specials + Tasting (Saturday 6th July, from 12 to 2pm)
---
Champagne Jacquart 'Mosaïque' Rosé NV -
$75 on special this week; $85 RRP
// 44% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 23% Pinot Meunier
Aged at least 3 years on lees + 9-10g/L dosage
"Quite a deep salmon-pink colir tinged with development; the bouqute is dusty/dry straw and celery stick, a note of iodine, and burnished wood pannelling too. Savoury and distinctive. A fuller bodied rosé Champagne with big flavour backed by substantial tannin which firms and dries the long aftertaste. It would cope well with heartier foods than many Champagnes." -92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé NV - $85 on special this week; $95 RRP
// 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier
"An overflowing fruit basket of ripe cherry, raspberry and exotic spice amplified by a crunchy, complex texture and a lifted mousse; beautifully elegant and enthralling." - 96 Points (Gold Winner), Decanter World Wine Awards
Palmer & Co. Brut Rosé Solera NV - $105 on special this week; $119 RRP
// 46% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, 17% Pinot Meunier (29% Reserve Wines)
Base vintage 2018, lees aging for 5 years, disgorged April 2023
"With the lion's share of Palmer's 350 growers' vineyards being located on the Montagne de Reims, its fruit forms the core of this broad blend. The rest of the grapes come from Côte de Sézanne and Côte des Bar. Bright lemon in colour, with some depth. The overall note is charmingly, sweetly fruity, with an impeccable ground coffee tone adding layers. A complex mix of yellow and red fruit, but there is also a dark spiciness giving an element of interest. The palate is generous, with an age-mellowed velvety texture. However, the overall feeling remains light due to a super-stylish acid line. A remarkable-value non-vintage in an age-complexed, radiantly fruity and luxuriously toasty style. Dosage 6.5g/l”almer & Co is a shining star in Champagne, in keeping with the cellar philosophy,Palmer has time, the wines are aged for an exceptional long time.” - 92 Points, Essi Avellan MW
Devaux Coeur des Bar Rosé NV - $108 on special this week; $120 RRP
// Chardonnay 20% (Montgueux, Côte des Blancs, Vitry) and Pinot Noir 80% (Côte des Bar)
"This rosé has 2018 as its base wine. Again, first pressing only with 25% reserve material. This is one of the very few Rose champagnes (okay, the only one I know of) to combine both methods of production. As well as a short time on skins to provide a hint of color, there is an addition of 7 to 8% red wine. Overall, 2/3rds Pinot Noir and 1/3rd Chardonnay. Bright pink/orange, this is fresh and bright with spices, redcurrants and hints of citrus. A note of fresh watermelon. Good acidity here, the length is impressive, the texture supple, the wine is well-balanced, supple and fresh. A good, lingering, crisp finish. Delicious. Like this a lot." -94 Points, Ken Gargett
Bollinger Brut Rosé NV - $134 on special this week; $149 RRP
// 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier
Dosage 7-8gr/L + Aged 8 months in barrel
"When Champagne Bollinger decided to embark on making a rosé, its standards were uncompromising: it had to have freshness, of course, but also structure and elegance. Bollinger Rosé therefore falls within the same vein as Special Cuvée, with its spiced notes. The addition of a superb red wine from the Poirier Saint-Pierre and Montboeuf plots in Verzenay or the ones in Aÿ, worked in the same way as the vines of the legendary Côte aux Enfants plot, lends it an assertive aromatic power. It also boasts a brilliance, presence and delicate quality that are the hallmark of great blends. A bright rosé with subtle golden hues. The nobility of red berries: hints of red currant, cherry and wild strawberry; a spicy touch, not unlike Special Cuvée. A subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity, with a tannic finish due to the adjunction of red wine; bubbles as fine as velvet; flavours of wild berries." - House Notes
Louis Roederer Brut Rosé 2016 - $150 on special this week; $169 RRP
// 62% Pinot Noir and 38% Chardonnay (8g/L dosage)
"A nose full of rose petals with orange skin and berry fruits, not as expressive as some of the other Champagnes in the masterclass but this has a lovely soft, and delicate aromatic profile. Tangy lemon, raspberry, strawberry and orange on the palate with a sea spray, saline finish that is particularly moreish. Fully flavoured, round and complete with mouthwatering acidity, lots of sapidity and an extremely long finish. A lovely combination of both bitter and sour elements giving such complexity and nuance on the palate." - 94 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé NV - $150 on special this week; $168 RRP
// 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier
"Aged on lees for 36 months with the inclusion of 40% reserve wines - a fresh and elegant Rosé Champagne. Radiant color with graceful effervescence, a persistent mousse, and fine bubbles rising slowly in the glass. Subtle and fine aromas leading to an expressive red berry flavor with citrus zest. Creamy and smooth on the palate, evolving to strawberries notes and a raspberry finish. Light, balanced and precise. The best pairing for any happy occasion!" - House Notes
"It is the go-to rosé for wine professionals, with nuances of juicy/poached red berry fruits, yet finishes dry and fresh." - 96 points, James Halliday's Top 100 Wines of 2022
If you wish to buy any of these champagnes, please use the links above ? Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions.
// Prices valid until Thursday the 11th of July