Rosé fizz for the festive season
Leisurely lunches by the seafront. Summer date nights. Celebratory garden parties. Rosé champagne is often associated with the summer season – and while it’s no doubt the perfect drink for balmy days, it can be enjoyed year-round, and is a great choice for Christmas celebrations. But which bottle is best for you? Here we bring you the C&TH pick of the best pink champagne, plus some tips on what to pair it with.
What does Pink Champagne Pair Well With?
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.
Best Pink Champagne For 2022
Lanson Rosé Fruit Market Champagne, £55, thechampagnecompany.com
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.
Veuve Clicquot Rosé, £51, clos19.com
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.
Ruinart ‘Second Skin’ Brut Rosé Champagne, £59.99, majestic.co.uk
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.
Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial, £46, clos19.com
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.
Bollinger Rosé Champagne, £44.99, majestic.co.uk
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.
Charles Heidsieck Rose Reserve Champagne, £58, thechampagnecompany.com
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.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2012, £250, thewhiskyexchange.com
This 2010 vintage from Perrier-Jouët has a unique, delicate flavour featuring spring flower aromas and zesty, citrus elements. A blend of 90 per cent Chardonnay and 10 per cent Pinot Noir grapes, it pairs well with white fish, mild cheeses and citrus desserts.
Taittinger Brut Prestige Rose Champagne Gift Box, £45, thechampagnecompany.com
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.
Dom Perignon Rose Vintage Champagne, £299, ocado.com
You can’t go wrong with Dom Perignon. At £299, 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.
Louis Roederer Rosé Brut Champagne (Vintage), £65, vivino.com
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.
Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Rosé, Brut, £65, bbr.com
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.
Main image: Getty Images
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