Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé is a non-vintage rosé Champagne from the Champagne region, built around Pinot Noir and created by blending red wine with a white base – a method Madame Clicquot was the first to introduce in 1818. In 1818 Madame Clicquot created the first known blended rosé Champagne.
The cuvée is based on the classic Yellow Label blend. It is made from 50 to 60 different crus and 30–45% reserve wines, with a predominance of Pinot Noir (50–55%), which gives the structure so typical of Veuve Clicquot, Chardonnay (28–33%) adds elegance and finesse, and a touch of Meunier (15–20%) completes the blend. The addition of 12% red wine lends depth and power on the palate. It is precisely this red wine that is responsible for the copper-pink colour and the pronounced red-fruit profile.
After the second fermentation, the Champagne matures for a long time in the house's chalk cellars. The lengthy ageing in the Crayères – a minimum of 3 years for the Rosé – gives the Champagne its silkiness. The wine is dry in the brut style; the dosage is around 10 g/l.
In the glass, the Champagne has a bright colour with pink reflections, and its aromatics combine fruit with notes of baked goods and spices. Brut Rosé offers a rich aromatic profile combining red and black fruits (cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry), spices (white pepper, saffron, liquorice) and baked goods (sponge cake, croissant), reinforced by accents of toast, orange peel and gingerbread associated with ageing on the lees. Critics highlight the mineral core and fresh acidity: a delicate tannic structure combines with a balanced dosage and a fine, chalky mineral texture, while ageing on the lees combined with deep reserves gives complexity of brioche, spices and hints of honey.
This is a Champagne meant to be drunk now. It maintains the freshness of pink grapefruit and deepens the red thread of strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and red apple. For pairing, reach for dishes with red fruits and meats of pronounced flavour: it is particularly recommended with tuna, beef carpaccio, duck, sun-dried tomatoes, and even red fruits such as strawberries. It contains 12% alcohol.