Anyone still on the fence about restaurant dining on Valentine’s Day, we have you covered with a range of sparkling rose wines if you’re preparing a romantic dinner for two from scratch, ordering in from a restaurant or choosing take-away options. Pour a little love into a stemmed glass (we’re not picky about stemware) and let the fun begin.
With the impressive advancements of grape growing and winemaking around the world, many countries besides France (who would have thought?) have been catching up quickly and successfully to produce some very impressive and award-winning methode champenoise sparkling wines. These equally fine sparkling wines winning high praise from wine critics are being produced elsewhere which are on par with the finesse of French Champagne. Let’s start with some unexpected rose sparkling wines!
The Bolla Family’s vibrantly decorated floral bottle of Valdo Floral Rosé Brut NV from Italy’s Veneto region is a standout in terms of defining the Prosecco sparkling wine region. Its sparkling rosé is fresh and elegant with concentrated notes of raspberry and flowers.
For those of you who travel frequently internationally and browse the duty-free liquor shops, you may be familiar with Bottega sparkling wines. The imaginative presentation of the Bottega Liquid Metals Rose Gold Artistry NV is a showstopper. The metallic rose gold bottle protects the wine from light and preserves the wine's clean and refreshing aromas. This sparkling rosé is dry and lively and does not compromise on quality. The company is headquartered in Casetello Roganzuolo, about 30 miles from Venice, where Prosecco wines are produced.
In Spain, also a contender in the category of superior class sparkling wines, try Pere Ventura Tresor Brut Rosé NV which is an intense and deep pink rosé brut Cava with clean and sophisticated aromas of red fruits with a slight note of rose petals and is a perfect match for any Valentine. Pere Ventura's wine producing vocation is rooted in a family tradition dating back to the 19th century. In 1992, when he founded his winery, he did so in honor of his ancestors. Pere's family heritage with Cava dates back to 1872, when his great grandfather, Manuel Montserrat Font, helped produced the first bottles of Cava at Codorniu.
Last, but not the least, we turn our attention to France which takes credit for the creation of the sparkling wine called Champagne (we’ll leave the argument to you, dear readers).
For six generations, the Vollereaux family has been producing a Champagne that delivers a fresh, light, elegant and fruity profile. Try their Rosé De Saignée Brut NV for some cheerful sipping. Vollereaux is one of the very few champagne wineries to use the traditional saigne method of maceration for its Rose Champagne, which involves bleeding off a portion of pink juice during red wine production (as opposed to blending red and white wine together). This process occurs after a short contact with the grape skins and seeds.
Another producer, Champagne Boizel Rosé NV, uses pinot noir and chardonnay grapes for its rosé brut sourced from Grands and Premiers Cru vineyards within the villages of La Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs in France’s strictly regulated Champagne region. Why? In 1834 the Boizel House was established in EÌpernay, the heart of Champagne, by a family passionate about the wines of its region. Intimate knowledge of the Champagne region, passed on through the generations, and access to grapes from the finest cru sites, are the essential elements behind the Boizels’ elegant portfolio. The result is velvety and deliciously fresh.
For something a little different, try Côté Mas Crémant De Limoux Rosé Brut NV with aromas of honeysuckle, peach and apricot which lead the way to a soft mouthfeel of grapefruit and a hint of blood orange.
There are so many Champagnes and sparkling wines available today! Of course, personal tastes are a main driver for purchase, but with a few hints, your Valentine’s Day celebration will be off to a sparkling start!
In addition to a career in communications and marketing focused on the luxury lifestyle sector, including co-authoring and lecturing a case study on French heritage jeweler Mauboussin with Harvard Business School, Isabelle continues to share her experiences about fine art, wine, travel, jewelry and culture as a freelance writer for internationally based digital publications.
