Charles Heidsieck - Rose ReserveNV

ROSE SPARKLING

Description

THE GRAPES SELECTED FOR THIS SUPERB ROSÉ BLEND deliberately reflect the diversity and richness of the Champagne region. As Charles-Camille Heidsieck would have wished in his time, the House not only chooses the great premiers crus of the Champagne appellation for this Rosé Réserve, but strives first and foremost to highlight the typicity of each cru, its potential for expression and the palette of its nuances, year after year. This variety allows for an amazingly subtle blend: certain crus will provide fruity notes, others an impression of strength, and yet others true refinement.

LIKE THE BRUT RÉSERVE, the Rosé Réserve must meet numerous demands. It is the culmination of many deliberate, well-considered decisions. COMPLEXITY: The 80% of wines from the harvest year are blended with one third of each variety (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) while the 20% of reserve wines are blended in equal proportions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All are vinified cru by cru, variety by variety, in stainless steel vats. PRECISION: To reach perfect balance, between freshness and delicacy on the one hand and structure and complexity on the other, the Chef de Caves applies the “House signature” by introducing reserve wines intentionally selected younger - on average 7 or 8 years - than those in the Brut Réserve. GENEROSITY: The 5 to 6% of great wines vinified as red naturally provide tannins and the scent of red fruits, to which the Chef de Caves will add judiciously for a full-bodied, generous wine. INTENSITY: Matured for over three years in the unique, thousand-year-old crayères purchased by Charles Heidsieck in 1867. Part of the historical sites of the UNESCO’s world heritage list, the crayères inspired the large base and narrow neck of the new silhouette for the non-vintage wine bottles.

Estate

Charles Heidsieck is the smallest of the Grandes Marques Champagne Houses. Based in the Reims region of Champagne, it is one of the best-known producers for both vintage and non-vintage cuvée. In 1851, young Charles Heidsieck founded his own Champagne house in Reims. He understood that the United States was an important emerging market, so he traversed America repeatedly north to south promoting his new brand. The stylish entrepreneur became known lovingly as “Champagne Charlie.”

Tasting notes

A sophisticated powdery pink hue with luminous glints of wild rose. Delicate, vivacious bubbles are the result of an aging period of over 36 months. A base of 20% of reserve wines, white and red, gives this rosé blend a subtle, yet complex nose. The first fragrances are reminiscent of traditional, home-made strawberry jam mixed with the fruitiness of orchard peaches. Then follows the warm luscious notes of gingerbread with a touch of cinnamon. The deep tantalizing and powerful mouthfeel – the result of aging in two-thousand-year-old cellars – offers a burst of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry nestled in velvety whipped cream. Pairs well with fish, parmesan, seafood and shellfish dishes, summer fruits and white meat.

Vinification

After the first fermentation in stainless steel each tank undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. After blending with a base of 20% red and white reserve wines, and 5-6% of the Pinot Noir having been vinified as a red wine, the cuvée is bottled and yeast added to begin the second fermentation. The bottles are placed in the cellar at a temperature of about 10°C. In order to achieve the depth and complexity required by the house style, Charles Heidsieck age their Non-Vintage champagne for three years before disgorging, much longer than the legal requirement of 15 months.