Rosé Wine, Sparkling Wine & Champagne

Domaine de Pellehaut ’18, 12% alc/vol,Vine de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, France
£24.50 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £17.00, by the glass 175ml £6.40 & 250ml £8.80
Owned by the Beraut family for over 300 years Pellehaut is named after the Roman pila haut or high point with the vines growing 180 metres above the quaint village of Montreal-d-Gers. Gaston overseas the domaine, which includes cattle, wheat and sunflowers with sons Martin and Mathieu acting a vineyard manager and winemaker respectively. With some 617 acres planted the family has one of the most extensive vineyard holdings in the Cotes de Gascogne region of southwestern France. This fresh, bright and fruity wine is bled from the Les Marcottes cuvee benefitting from the Midi-Pyrenees region’s wonderful microclimate where long, sunny, early autumn days are ideal for bringing the grapes to the stage of maturation whilst maintaining a degree of refreshing acidity. The vines are planted in alluvial soils with clay and sand. A Merlot-based rose, raspberry pink in colour with aromas of berry fruits.

Grape: Predominantly Merlot with Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Syrah
Style: Rose: Light & refreshing
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Char-grilled chicken with herbs or salad

Petit Ballon Rosé ’17, 12.5% alc/vol , Producteurs Plaimont, Gascony, France
£26.25 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £18.35, by the glass 175ml £6.85 & 250ml £9.50 Producteurs Plaimont are one of Gascony’s foremost wineries, offering consistently high quality wines at exceptional prices. La Brouette Blanc is specially blended in rural Gascony, with the combination of different varieties giving great complexity and flavour. Bright vivid pink in colour with upfront, juicy red fruits on the nose and palate. This is a fresh, round and well balanced rosé with supple tannins and lively acidity.

Grape: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Duras, Gamay, Negrette
Style: Rosé: Dry, medium-bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now-2021
Food Match: No food matches required here – simply sit in the sun, crack open & enjoy!

Cabernet d’Anjou ‘La Potherie’ ’15, 11.5% alc/vol, Barre Freres a Gorges, Loire, France, £22.35
Made from 100% Cabernet Franc a grape ideall to the ‘terroir’ of the Loire this is an off-dry wine with refreshing acidity. Ripe, luscious strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruits with a natural sweetness. Perfect to simply to sip on a summer evening!

Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Style: Rose: Lively, mineral rosé
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Thai fishcakes, seafoods

Source Gabriel Rosé ’16, 12.5% alc/vol , Domaine de Font-Freye, Cotes de Provence, France, £29.25
Source Gabriel is produced by the Domaine de Font-Freye, owned by Roger Sumiere, nephew of Regine Sumiere, the owner and winemaker at Chateau La Tour de L’Eveque. Located in Pierrefeu-du-Var the estate runs to some 10 hectares, the vines are cultivated in integrated Farmway with the grapes hand-picked at their optimal maturity with the direct press method applied to obtain the beautiful colour.

Grape: 55% Grenache, 30% Cinault & 15% Syrah
Style: Rosé: Dry, medium-bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now-2021
Food Match: Salad Nicoise, pork terrine, pasta dishes

Nelson Estate Rosé ’14, 14% alc/vol , Paarl, South Africa, £26.50
A small, family owned vineyard currently under the stewardship of Lisha Nelson. The vineyard sits on the leaward side of the Paarl Mountain, benefitting from its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean with cool night breezes and misty mornings. These give relief against high temperatures and are responsible for the freshness of Nelson’s wines. Baby pink in colour with notes of red berries. A well balanced palate with fresh ripe fruit, a creamy texture and good structure.

Grape: 38% Shiraz, 27% Cabernet Franc, 26% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot
Style: Rosé: Delicate & creamy
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Ideal for BBQs & summer drinking

Sancerre Rosé ’17, 12.5% alc/vol, Regis Jouan, Loire, France, £28.50
After many years as winemaker for another domaine, Régis Jouan recently started up on his own. This the most delicate of pinks from Pinot Noir grapes. This a delightfully crisp and elegant Sancerre with genuine style and complexity. The nose already suggests wild strawberries; the palate has similarly elegant red fruit character and lovely acidity. A very good crisp and refreshing rose ideal for a warm summer’s day!

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Rose: Lively, mineral rosé
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Pork terrine, salmon tagliatelle

Gruet Selection, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, France, £40
The Gruet family have been making wine in the Côte des Bar since 1670. This Champagne is fresh on the nose as well as the palate with bright acidity. The style leads towards vintage with nose yeast, brioche and almond flavours with toastiness to finish. Perfect as an aperitif.

Joseph Perrier, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, Chalons-en-Champagne, Champagne, France,
Quarter-bottle £15, Half-bottle £25, Full-bottle £45
This family owned business has quietly been building a reputation and tradition for the highest quality since 1825. Founded in Chalons-sur-Mame and regularly drunk by Queen Victoria and Edward VII Joseph Perrier is one of the largest Champagne houses still in private ownership. The vineyards are located in the Vallee de la Marne villages of Cumieres, Damery, Hautvilliers and Verneuil. 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier. Gold in colour with fine bubbles forming a delicate but persistent mousse, while scents of citrus and apple lead into richer vanilla and cinnamon. The mouth is full and round-bodied with a lasting finish. Jospeh Perrier pairs particularly well with oysters and smoked salmon blinis.

Delamotte, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne, France, £65
Founded in 1760 the House of Delamotte is the sister house to Salon, arguably the rarest of all fine Champagnes, and in non-vintage years uses some of the grapes from this prestigious property. 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier the grapes rarely ripen this far north resulting in a light wine with searing acidity, ideal as a base for sparkling wine. Extended ageing on the lees gives this elegant classic its unique blend of freshness, balance and depth. Dry and medium-bodied Delamotte is flexible as either an aperitif or main course Champagne.

Pol Roger, N/V Brut Reserve, 12.5% alc/vol, Epernay, Champagne, France, £65
Founded in 1849 and famously a favourite of Winston Churchill Pol Roger is made with 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier and 34% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir comes from the villages of the Montagne de Reims and contributes body and character; the Chardonnay comes from Epernay itself and the Cête des Blancs and provides lightness and elegance; the Pinot Meunier comes from the Vallée de la Marne and provides youthfulness and vigour. Medium-bodied and well balanced and sufficiently versatile to serve as an aperitif or with dinner.

Taittinger, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, Reims, Champagne, France, £65
Light-bodied and elegant with floral aromas and a fresh, delicate style the standard NV Brut Reserve is the perfect aperitif Champagne. Made with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay it is a light yellow straw colour, with flavours of fresh fruit, peaches and strawberries. Dry, light and elegant the taste lingers with a long, satisfying finish.

Veuve Cliquot, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, Reims, Champagne, France, £70
The famous N/V Yellow Label uses grapes from as many as 50 to 60 different Crus, helping to give consistency to this famous Champagne. Medium to full-bodied, crisp and dry this golden-yellow wine is made with Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 25% Chardonnay. The initial notes are of fruit followed by more discreet aromas of brioche and vanilla. It pairs particularly well with cheese, caviar and salmon.

Bollinger, N/V Brut Special Cuvee, 12% alc/vol, Ay, Champagne, France, £75
Founded in 1829 this is one of the few remaining independent family owned Champagne houses and has held a Royal Warrant since 1884.One of the driest, most full-bodied NV Champagnes available, made with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, Bollinger is an ideal main course Champagne paring particularly well with most fish and seafood as well as white meats, poultry and our home-cure ham. Golden in colour this Special Cuvee is a delicate blend between harvest grapes and a majority of reserve wines, including some aged in magnums for more than 15 years. A beautiful aromatic complexity with a subtle combination of structure and length.

Krug, N/V Grande Cuvee, 12% alc/vol, Reims, Champagne, France, £155 – (Pre-order)
This house was established in 1843 and produces only prestige Champagnes of which this is arguably the most majestic non-vintage cuvee. Krug is the only firm still producing all its champagne in small oak casks, a critical element in developing the intense bouquet and complex flavours for which they are renowned. Today Henri, Remi and Olivier Krug represent the 5th and 6th generations supervising every step of production, tasting and blending. With long periods of maturation, typically 6 to 8 years, Krug champagne continues to age gracefully after release, developing an intensely rich, nutty flavour whilst remaining remarkably fresh. This Grande Cuvee is blended from 10 different vintages and 47 wines from 25 villages. On the nose Krug is characterised by toasted pastry or almond notes whilst on the palate you will find notes of fresh citrus fruits, honey and nuts with graceful acidity and a long finish.

Dom Perignon, 2004 Vintage Brut, 12.5% alc/vol, Epernay, Champagne, France, £165 – (Pre-order)
Named after the 17th century Benedictine monk who was an early pioneer of Champagne wine. The name was originally registered by Eugene Mercier before he sold the brand to Moet & Chandon which released its first prestige cuvee under the name in 1937. Around equal measures of only the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are used to produce Dom Perignon although the 2005 vintage has a high proportion of the former. In the early years it exhibits incredibly smooth, creamy fruit with perfect balance and weight, whilst as it ages it develops superb toasted aromas and great finesse. According to Richard Geoffroy, DP Chef du Cave “Dom Pérignon expresses its first plénitude after seven years in the cellar”, with a second plénitude 12 to 15 years after the vintage release and a third plénitude after 30 to 40 years. A pale gold colour with a palate of citrus fruit, apple and peach, followed by a full-bodied yet refreshing palate of lemon, toasted brioche and cream.

Louis Roederer Cristal, 2006 Vintage Brut, 12% alc/vol, Reims, Champagne, France, £195 – (Pre-order)
Established in 1776 Champagne Loius Roderer is one of the few remaining completely independently owned, great Houses. In 1876 Tsar Alexander II, already a great fan, asked Louis Roederer to go one step further and produce, for his own personal consumption, a unique wine in quality and bottle. Louis Roederer offered to create an exceptional white crystal bottle to house the best selection from the 7 finest vineyards of his estate. This wine was only produced in the “great” years when the ripeness of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir enabled a subtle, precise balance. Today Roederer owns just over 214 hectares of vineyards located in the finest areas of Champagne – Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. Each vineyard is situated in the finest sites, with the plots ranking between 95% and 100% on the Échelle des Crus. This makes Roederer self-sufficient for 100% of its vintage styles and provides two-thirds of its production for Brut Premier. Such a high proportion of ‘estate’ grapes is very unusual in Champagne and ensures superior quality at all stages from grape to glass. Cristal 2006 is light gold in colour, with a fine bead and persistent mousse. Aromas of crushed white flowers, ripe citrus and red berry fruits. On the palatelimey citrus mixes with toasted woody aromas, subtle minerality and notes of brioche.

Gruet Rosé, N/V Brut Rose, 12% alc/vol, France, £45
The Gruet family have been making wine in the Côte des Bar since 1670. Their rosé is creamy and complex with a wonderful Pinot Noir nose of delicate red fruit. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir red wine. Gruet is rich and well-rounded and delicious with Eton mess and strawberry shortbread.

Joseph Perrier Rosé Cuvee Royal, N/V Brut, 12% alc/vol, Chalons-en-Champagne, France, £50
This family owned business has quietly been building a reputation and tradition for the highest quality since 1825. Founded in Chalons-sur-Mame and regularly drunk by Queen Victoria and Edward VII Joseph Perrier is one of the largest Champagne houses still in private ownership. The vineyards are located in the Vallee de la Marne villages of Cumieres, Damery, Hautvilliers and Verneuil. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay the Rose Cuvee Royal is aged for at least four years and is blended from 15 separate Crus. The inviting scent of raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants is followed on the palate by orange peel wedded to hints of liquorice and leather. A fine mousse with fresh, dry flavours.

Laurent-Perrier Rosé, N/V Brut Rose, 12% alc/vol, Tours-surMarne, Champagne, France, £80
A wonderfully refreshing aperitif Champagne launched in 1968 in an iconic bottle this excellent Cuvee is salmon pink in colour with fruit dominating the palate. Consistently appealing it is light with elegant fruit and adelicate mousse. It pairs well with canapés, our home-cure ham, marinated raw fish and braised game birds as well as soft, creamy cheeses and berry fruit salads.

Prosecco Spumante ‘Lunetta’ Brut, 11% alc/vol, Italy
Quarter-bottle (200ml) £6.95, Full-bottle £21.75
Made in the mountainous Trentino region of northeast Italy, this is a deliciously light and fruity Prosecco with hints of apple and peach on the nose and a fresh, softly sparkling palate. Made with 100% Glera this is an aromatic, fruity sparkling wine which is ideal as an aperitif or with panettone.

Corney & Barrow Vino Spumante, 12% alc/vol, Brut NV, Le Colture, Veneto, Italy, £22.75
The prestigious ‘Le Colture’ estate in the very heart of Valdobbiadene, the homeland of Prosecco, has been in the hands of the Ruggeri family since 1500 and produces some Italy’s best Prosecco and sparkling wines. The vineyards are located on the warmer southwest facing slopes with relatively old vines providing lower yields but with more intensity and concentration of flavour, also the steep terrain requires hand harvesting which allows for the selection of only the best grapes. The climate is moderate and mild with fresh summers and winters while the clay-based and stony soil allows a good balance of water retention and drainage.

This Prosecco is pale straw in colour with a delicate fine mousse with aromas of orchard fruit, citrus, almonds and white flowers. With a beautiful complexity of flavour on the palate this aperitif wine is ideal for celebrations!

Corney & Barrow Vino Spumante Rosé ‘Syloz’ DOC, 11% alc/vol, Le Colture, Veneto, Italy, £24.75
The prestigious ‘Le Colture’ estate in the very heart of San Stefano di Valdobbiadene, Treviso, the homeland of Prosecco, has been in the hands of the Ruggeri family since 1500 and produces some Italy’s best Prosecco and sparkling wines. The vineyards are located on the warmer southwest facing slopes with relatively old vines – 30 to 35 years old – providing lower yields but with more intensity and concentration of flavour, also the steep terrain requires hand harvesting which allows for the selection of only the best grapes. After filtration and racking to clear the wine, the temperature is increased for the first fermentation which lasts about 20 days. The wine is fermented until dry and then transferred to a pressurised autoclave for the second fermentation (the ‘tank’ or ‘charmat’ method), also for about 20 days to create bubbles.

Made with 70% chardonnay and 30% merlot this sparkling wine has a delicate, rose-petal pink colour with a fine mousse. Fresh, ripe red fruit flavours on the palate drawn from the Merlot grapes combine delicately with the ripe orchard fruit of the Chardonnay. The perfect aperitif wine for any occasion!