Baron-Fuenté Rosé Dolorès Champagne Brut

Champagne Baron-Fuente makes Rose Dolores around Charly-sur-Marne in the Vallee de la Marne. It is built as an assemblage rose from 60 per cent Chardonnay, 20 per cent Meunier and 20 per cent Pinot Noir, with about 15 per cent still red wine from Meunier and Pinot Noir blended in to give colour, depth and red-fruit expression. The grapes are cold pressed after harvest and fermented in stainless steel to keep freshness and precision, and the wine is made by the traditional method before around five years in the cellars build fine texture and an elegant bead, finished as a Brut.

The wine shows a delicate rose colour with subtle copper highlights and a fine, lively bead. The nose is intense, with small red and black fruits over fine pastry. The palate opens fresh, then fills out with fruit, suppleness and a lively structure, closing balanced and long. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees in a white wine glass. It works as an aperitif, suits fruit-based desserts and berry tartlets, and has the fruit and structure for salmon, tuna, carpaccio and lighter poultry.