As we are enjoying a mini heatwave here in the UK this week, I thought it only fitting to write about Champagne Drappier Rosé de Saignée, the perfect drink in which to enjoy in the warm weather and toast the approach of summer in the hope that it’s a good one and not the usual washout.
This crisp, refreshing Champagne is ideal as an aperitif to go with some antipasti, salmon en papillote, grilled pink lamb or even a fresh strawberry salad. It is best served chilled at 7°C so that you can really savour its elegant pure, sun-kissed flavours.
Champagne Drappier Rosé de Saignée is a true expression of Pinot Noir being extremely vibrant and fruity that has undergone a gentle three-day maceration, drawing out its striking pink hue and generous aromatic complexity using the saignée method. This has resulted in a Champagne that captures the essence of sun-ripened red fruits, making it the perfect drink to celebrate the longer, lighter evenings.
The saignée method is a process that makes darker and deeper rosé coloured Champagne by taking the rosé juice off during the red winemaking process with skin contact usually being longer, causing the flavours and aromas from the red grapes to be much more prominent.
The difference between Rosé Champagne and Rosé de Saignée Champagne, apart from the production method mentioned above, is the shade of rosé in that the rosé de saignée Champagne will be much darker than standard rosé Champagne. There is also a difference in aromas and flavours, with the rosé de saignée expressing far more Pinot Noir and Meunier characters such as red berry fruits, dark rose petals and even some spices.
Rosé de Saignée is produced with 100 per cent Pinot Noir from the Jurassic Kimmeridgian limestone soils of Urville. Drappier is firmly committed to sustainability and only the first press is used, gravity replaces pumping and malolactic fermentation occurs naturally with no filtration or artificial discoloration. The Champagne is aged on the lees for 36 months, giving a perfect balance of freshness and depth.
With an intense bouquet of wild strawberries, cherries and raspberries, Rosé de Saignée is warm and satiny on the palate, enhanced by subtle spiced notes and stone fruit accents, building up to a crisp, lingering finish, perfect for warm summer evenings.
Champagne Drappier Rosé de Saignée is priced from £49.99, available at Cork of The North Independent Wine Merchants and Hackstons. For more information on Champagne Drappier, please visit: www.champagne-drappier.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photograph courtesy of Champagne Drappier
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