As already mentioned, there are different shades of pink that characterize the Champagne region. When we talk about Champagne Rosé, there is not a single path that Maison and Vigneron follow to give life to their most colourful and trendy productions. And in the glass, the differences between the choices of one path to another will be felt at first glance, as well as at nose and palate. Champagnes Rosé, in fact, are born after assembly or maceration. And if the first type is the most common, it is on the peculiarities that distinguish the second path that we will focus here.
The technique of maceration gives life to the most rare, fruity and powerful Champagnes Rosé de Saignée. This is an exclusive selection, which draws its origin from the choice to ferment a "withdrawal", from the bottom of the vat, part of the must flower that macerates with the skins of dark grapes. Saignée translated into English literally as "bloodletting". A word that is immediately transformed into an image, recalling, with all the simplicity of the peasant tradition, the passionate colour that characterizes these productions. It takes great technique and know-how of the chef de cave to develop a Champagne Rosé de Saignée. No mistake is possible.
Drappier Champagne Rosé Nature expresses all the charm and personality of this very special variant of bubble wines: this Rosé de Saignée embodies eight generations of family heritage caring for our historic grape variety, Pinot Noir. The Champagne Rosé de Saignée offers vibrant pink nuances and the aromatic fruity profile following a gentle maceration.
Roses de Jeanne Champagne Rosé de Saignée Le Creux d'Enfer comes, on the contrary, from the smallest winery producing Champagne. 100% Pinot Noir also in this case, which the hand of Cédric Bouchard selects from the same-name lieu-dit. Grapes are then pressed by feet - the old-fashioned way - and the result is a very limited production with an inimitable style.
There is the hand of Bertrand Gautherot, Vigneron in Buxières-sur-Arce (in Aube), behind Vouette & Sorbée Champagne Rosé Saignée de Sorbée. Part artist, part artisan, he gives life to a 100% Pinot Noir "slow", respectful of the times of man and nature in every single phase of its creation. It is an Extra Brut, which does not require any kind of additions or compromised research in its lively account of the peculiarities of the Domaine. It is the famous Pinot Noir of Vertus that gives voice and colour to Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Rosé De Saignée. Another symbol of excellence by Pierre Larmandier (Bio Vigneron), which aims, with absolute simplicity, at representing the land where the grapes are harvested.
Rémi Leroy Champagne Rosé de Saignée Les Crots is the son of the same-name lieu-dit: a single plot, whose characteristics make it particularly suited to ripen dark grapes (Pinot Noir) perfect to use at the time of vinification for a very long maceration. In short, it is a real predestined in the category of Champagne Rosé de Saignée. Jérôme Prévost has always been an avant-garde, and that is why, over time, he has become a true magician of Meunier. He has given a new dignity to a grape variety declined in two variants: one of these, certainly the most complex (to the nose and palate) and complicated (to be made), is the atypical Champagne Rosé La Closerie Fac-Similé.
The vigneron "student" of Anselme Selosse is not, however, the only one to have chosen the road of Meunier. This is evidenced by other “pink” excellence, such as Benoît Déhu Champagne Rosé La Rue Des Noyers. Once again, we stand in front of the fruit of a single plot, a lieu-dit in Fossoy, in the Vallée de la Marne: it is a small corner of the Champagne region, where time seems almost stopped and where the work of Benoît Déhu is still dictated by the natural course of the lunar phases.
Same rules for another Maison following the biodynamic principles: Laherte Frères. The face of their Meunier takes on the appearance of Champagne Rosé de Saignée Les Beaudiers. Not far from Epernay, in three old vineyards in Chavot grapes are grown with the ultimate vocation to revive the specificity of the terroir in the bottle. Last but not least a truly unique case: Moussé Fils Champagne Rosé de Saignée Les Bouts de la Ville Spécial Club. It is the result label of the first producer belonging to the prestigious Club Trésors de Champagne that opted for Meunier in purity. The roots of this Champagne Rosé de Saignée are deep into a lieu-dit in Cuisles, where the journey of this extremely limited production begins, but with infinite potential once poured into the glass.
GLUGULP! also offers an interesting selection of Champagnes Rosé de Saignée!