The truth about pink Champagne
Do you know how pink Champagne is made? Be prepared - it's an eyebrow raiser š²
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One wouldn't be judged for assuming it's made like most roseĢs: red grapes are crushed and left to soak (macerate) on their skins for a couple of hours; depending how long you macerate the darker the colour of your rose. ā
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But pink Champs has got it's own thing going on. They make their white Champagne as usual, then... add a little red wine to the mix! Voila! ā
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If you didn't just mutter an incredulous 'no way' to your screen or squeeze the person's arm next to you with a gasp then you are one poker faced cool customer.ā
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The red wine added must be made in the Champagne region, usually the non-tannic Pinot Noir from the Bouzy village (the Bouzy Rouge). They add anywhere from 5% to 20% red into the blend, the more they add the more watermelonĀ the colour; this allows them to make an identically pink wine every year. After blending the second fermentation takes place.ā
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Thinking of the supersonic cult hit and gucci pricedĀ Laurent PerrierĀ roseĢ , really the taste of this wouldn't be that dissimilar to their white Champagne, the colour being more a display of sexy salmon pink pantones than a change of flavours.
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There are some rare Champs that are made in the traditional roseĢ method, these are called RoseĢ de saigneĢe (bleeding roseĢs). These champagnes are generally richer in taste and body making them ace accompaniments to food Larmandier BernierĀ do an absolute humdinger.
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Whilst enjoying this pink Champagne GardetĀ (pictured below) the other day, I was delighted to read the honest back label detailing how much red wine went into the blend. Thank you for telling us straightā
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So there you are. Hopefully you can go about the rest of your day as normal and learn to live with this information as I have.Ā