Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Rosé Vintage Reserve NV

Champagne is such a celebratory and evocative wine. Its development has been due to the individual achievements of various people, some famous, others less so. Among them all a special place is deservedly kept for Madame Clicquot. She was given the accolade of "la Grande Dame de la champagne" by her contemporaries, in recognition of her determination to deliver only one quality; the finest! The Veuve Clicquot vineyard is one of the foremost vineyards in the Champagne region, in terms of both quality and size. It covers 382 hectares, scattered over 12 of the 17 Grand Crus and 18 of the 39 Premier Crus. It provides between 26-28% of the House's requirements in grapes. The rest is supplied under long-term contracts with winegrowers in the Champagne region, selected for their quality. The house boasts an impressive 24km of cellars. Grapes : 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay Region : France / Champagne AOC Maker : Christian Renard Notes : Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with approximately one third Chardonnay, this fine Champagne displays raisins, vanilla and brioche together with toasty aromas from ageing in bottle. A beautiful balance between power and finesse. Serve : The perfect Champagne to celebrate any occasion! ABV : 12.5%

A lusciously fruity rosandeacute;, this tastes of pure pinot noir, airy and bright, like a fragrant wisp of a Chorey-landegrave;s-Beaune. The soft, honeyed fruit leaves a pleasurable, lasting impression, easy to drink on its own or with thinly sliced beef.

Champagne is such a celebratory and evocative wine. Its development has been due to the individual achievements of various people, some famous, others less so. Among them all a special place is deservedly kept for Madame Clicquot. She was given the accolade of "la Grande Dame de la champagne" by her contemporaries, in recognition of her determination to deliver only one quality; the finest! The Veuve Clicquot vineyard is one of the foremost vineyards in the Champagne region, in terms of both quality and size. It covers 382 hectares, scattered over 12 of the 17 Grand Crus and 18 of the 39 Premier Crus. It provides between 26-28% of the Houses requirements in grapes. The rest is supplied under long-term contracts with winegrowers in the Champagne region, selected for their quality. The house boasts an impressive 24km of cellars. Viticulture: Each hectare of vines in Champagne needs 380 to 420 hours of work a year. Under the watchful eye of the vineyard manager Christian Renard, some hundred vine growers maintain the Veuve Clicquot vineyards in top condition. Vinification: Veuve Clicquot is made using the Methode Champenoise. Indeed, Madame Clicquot, always eager for improvements, invented rémuage?, the system now adopted by all the Champagne Houses for removing the sediment form the wine. Taste: Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with approximately one third Chardonnay, this fine Champagne displays raisins, vanilla and brioche together with toasty aromas from ageing in bottle. A beautiful balance between power and finesse. Serve: The perfect Champagne to celebrate any occasion!

The NV Brut Rosandeacute; is a straightforward, accessible wine to enjoy over the next year or two. With a little additional refinement in the tannins, this bottling might merit a slightly higher score. This is Lot 14009917, disgorged between December, 2006 and January, 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008andndash;2010.

Bold, vivacious and forward, this appealing wine is true to the house style, with plenty of sweet, pretty fruit. There are unchallenging but undeniably enjoyable flavors of ripe stone fruits, hints of grapefruit and citrus zest, and a smack of wet stone in the back of the throat. Young and fresh, without the toasty finesse of the vintage rosandeacute;s.

Lovely floral and berry aromas segue into cherry and citrus flavors in this elegant, medium-bodied rosé. It has a fine texture and the flavors are persistent. Drink now. -BS

A smoky version, exhibiting light berry and watermelon notes. Quite firm, as much from the chalky sensation as from the lively acidity. Despite its lightness, this shows intensity and length. Drink now through 2011.