…charming depth

I have fond memories visiting the Drappier family, who are in the Aube Valley in the Côte des Bar, which is located in the southern right-corner of the Champagne region. Eight generations of the Drappier family have been crafting Champagne since 1808, ageing their wines in ancient cellars that date back to 1152, when Saint Bernard had them built at the Clairvaux Abbey.
The family for some time, have been dedicated to natural practices and low intervention vinification, which produce pure, expressive aromas, natural colours and elegantly textural wines. Drappier is also one of the few Champagne Houses to make their rosé wine by the Saignée method, with the colour, aromas and palate flavours coming from just 2 days of gentle cool skin contact, before being gravity drained off and natural settling, then vinification allowed to begin.
Saignée Method - (is the gentle first pressing off red grapes; as the regular method is to add a small portion of red wine to a cuvée before secondary fermentation). Saignée Champagnes can have a richer character which makes them particularly ideal when served with cuisine. The juice went through malolactic fermentation, with no filtering. A portion of the wine was aged in used oak foudres, with minimal low levels of sulphites and aged for 30 months on its lees. In pursuit of authenticity and typicity, the Drappier family use the lowest possible levels of sulphur in their cuvées.

★ An appealing vivid Rosé style with a persistent medium-size bead articulating on both the nose and seamlessly traversing onto the palate vibrant and expressive summer red fruits, like wild raspberries, cherries, violets, lavender and a deft allspice note. This Drappier ‘Saignée’ Rosé is a well-structured style of Champagne, with a charming depth of character, an elegant textural nuance and its house signature of receiving only a light dosage, which ensures a refreshing mouthfeel, so you can enjoy those bright summer fruits on the finish.

This Drappier Rosé de Saignée Brut NV has 12% Alc./Vol. - with a dosage of 6g/L - *(no additional sulphur). Chill gently and served in a generous tulip shaped wine glass at around 8°- 10°C. *NZ$94.99

CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Article Posted 1/12/23)
Drinking perfectly well this festive / holiday season; plus it will hold nicely for another 2 - 3 years.

FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with fresh crayfish, lobster, tempura prawns, ceviche through to smoked salmon, seared tuna steaks, shellfish paella, pomegranate dressed salads and fresh strawberries on pavlova - enjoy.