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4 months ago
Rosé fizz sales are on the up – here are the ones worth splashing on
Although UK champagne sales as a whole dropped last year, the 2025 forecast is looking better – particularly when it comes to the pink variety. According to new data from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) and Nielsen, rosé champagne sales grew by 11 percent in early 2025, compared to eight percent for white. Pink champagne also accounted for 15 percent of total champagne sales in the period. No doubt Valentine’s Day gave the drink a boost, but could rosé fizz be on its way to becoming the celebratory drink of choice for Brits? Here’s everything you need to know, from what to pair it with to the best bottles to try this year.
It’s thought the history of rosé champagne dates all the way back to the mid-1800s, with Veuve Clicquot often credited with creating the first blend in 1818. So what’s the difference between pink and white? Well, while regular champagne is made from three grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, rosé incorporates an additional step to give it that all-important pink hue and flavour.
Winemakers usually use one of two methods: blending or maceration. The former involves blending still red wine into white wine, while the latter sees red grapes soaked with their skins ahead of the fermentation process. Colour-wise, varieties range from a pale blush to a stronger salmon pink, and sometimes pink fizz has a fruity taste than white. And contrary to popular belief, not all pink champagne is sweet (although some styles are).
There’s no denying rosé champagne is an aesthetically pleasing option, but it’s also great for food pairing. Lighter varieties go well with seafood, while robust rosé champagnes can stand up to strong meats like spiced lamb or ’nduja. Rosé champagne is also often paired with desserts, particularly fruity puddings and dishes with a touch of acidity. You can find more on this here.
Berry Bros. & Rudd Rosé Extra Brut, £55
This bottle from champagne house Leclerc Briant is a biodynamically farmed, terroir-focused rosé. Dominated by Chardonnay, it’s a dry and zesty wine which works well with seafood such as langoustines or crab tartlets.
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Première Cuvée Rosé, £69
Hambledon’s first Première Cuvée Rosé is a blend based on the 2016 harvest, with a delicate strawberry pink colour and a multi-layered palette with notes of summer raspberry fruit and blackberry.
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Rosé Fruit Market Champagne, £49
A classic, fresh champagne, Lanson Rosé Fruit Market has a pure colour with pink salmon hues, with aromas of roses and fruit alongside more discreet notes of red fruit.
Brut Rosé Champagne, £57
Madame Clicquot created the House’s first blended rosé champagne by adding red wine to white champagne in 1818. In the centuries since, it has been perfected to what it is today: a full-bodied, fruity variety with flavours of strawberries and cherries.
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‘Second Skin’ Brut Rosé Champagne, £85
Founded all the way back in 1729, Ruinart was the very first champagne house, meaning it has centuries worth of winemaking experience. Its Brut Rosé Champagne is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with flavours of guava, pomegranate and berries. The ‘Second Skin’ bottle, meanwhile, offers an eco-friendly alternative to a gift box.
Rosé Imperial, £48
For a classic pink fizz, Moët’s Rosé Imperial is always a winner: a fruity, dry wine with notes of raspberry, wild strawberry and cherry, well-suited to leisurely summer afternoons.
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Rosé Champagne, £60
Created in 2008, Bollinger Rosé is a pink twist on the House’s classic powerful style. Made from Pinot Noir with a dash of each of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, it has flavours of summer berry fruits with a soft texture – a perfect choice when paired with seafood or fruit-based desserts.
Rose Reserve Champagne, £60.50
The vivacious bubbles of Charles Heidsieck’s rosé are the result of an ageing period of over 48 months, with a deep, powerful palate evoking tastes of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry.
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Brut Prestige Rose Champagne Gift Box, £47
Taittinger’s pink champagne gets its vibrant hue from the addition of 15 per cent still red wine from the vineyards of Ambonnay and Bouzy. It’s a full-bodied, velvety wine with flavours of fresh fruit, ideal to pair with fish, seafood or summer fruits.
Rose Vintage Champagne, £356
You can’t go wrong with Dom Perignon. At £350, this vintage rose is a pricier option – but it’s perfect for special occasions, with tropical hints of guava blended with zesty notes and toasted spices.
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Rosé Brut Champagne (Vintage), £70.99
Louis Roederer is best known for its iconic Cristal, but its rosé variety is equally delicious. It’s a fresh and fruity wine, with strawberry and blueberry flavours underpinned by more concentrated citrus notes.
Brut Rosé Champagne, £76.50
Billecart-Salmon’s rosé champagne is renowned for its quality, with the secrets of its production close-guarded among the family, handed down across seven generations. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vinified as red wine, it has a pale yet radiant pink colour with a fresh finish and hints of raspberry.
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