Vincent Charlot, Le Rubis de la Dune Champagne 2014

20% Pinot Noir, 80% Pinot Meunier

Vineyard: 0.28ha plot called “La Dune” in Mardeuil. Vines planted in 1955 on clay with iron, sand and flint. Certified organic and biodynamic

Making of: The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed and macerated for around 14 hours on skins. Once pressed, the wine ferments spontaneously in neutral barrels. No malolactic fermentation, the wine rests in barrels on fine lees for about 9 months. Bottled with liqueur de tirage and aged on lees for at least 36 months (usually more) for the secondary fermentation (prise de mousse), disgorged, and topped up using the same wine, with a dosage of 4g/l (extra brut). 

Personality: Vincent calls this rosé’s character “en dentelle”, lacy, referring to its elegant nose. Reserved at first but give it a bit of time and air in your glass and you’ll be wowed by its vivid red fruit playing ball with creamy minerality and lip-smacking acidity for days. Perfect with roasted free-range poultry or, for the truly indulgent, fried chicken