Champagne, FranceThe Mini Moét rosé is exactly that: a small 200mL bottle that you can take just about anywhere. It's a brilliant format, and it doesn't break the bank, either. Inside is a more developed style of rosé sparkling, with dried strawberry and lifted cherry alongside red apple and a subtle toastiness. Dry and crisp, with a gentle, creamy mousse, this is perfect for enjoying on its own or paired with butternut squash risotto. I imagine this will find its way into several holiday stockings, and for good reason. Just make sure to open it sooner rather than later. It won't be hard to find an occasion.Tasted: 01 May 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceMoët has records dating back to 1881 showing Napoleon ordering the Rosé Impérial. Climate change is a definite thing in Champagne; Rosé only used to be produced in the best / warmest years. Now all the rosés in the portfolio make up 20% of production, up from only 2% 20 years ago. One thing that sets this rosé apart from most peers is pinot meunier in the base wine mix. Chef de Cave Benoît Gouez puts the pinot meunier through thermovinification, macerating the fruit for only 2 hours and pressing, with no skin or seed contact. This extracts a lot of colour and fruit, but it's not a long-lived production method. To this, they add pinot noir, macerated as normal. This is also the only red that goes into the reserves, as it has the structure and production method to last years. The two each make up 10% of the final blend of the Rosé Impérial, with chardonnay making up the majority at 80%. After up to 48 months on lees, this is dosed with 7 g/L. Strawberry leather, cherry brioche, red apple flood the juicy palate, tightened on the sides with a slight grip and lingering with cherry, strawberry. A friendly, welcoming fizz, though less presence and fizz in this mini bottle than the standard 750ml. Still, a fun pocket-able size.Tasted: 03 November 2020Tasted by: Prices: