Sparkling — rosé
Pink sparkling wine across every method — from serious, age-worthy rosé Champagne to fresh, fruit-driven tank-method styles.
About rosé
Sparkling rosé is a distinct style rather than just a colour: the pink hue changes both the aromatics (more red-berry and cherry) and the perception of texture. It is made two ways. The common route is saignée or brief skin contact with red grapes to tint the base wine. The other — famously the only place in French wine where blending white and red to make rosé is permitted — is Champagne, where a measured addition of still Pinot Noir red wine gives rosé Champagne its colour and its extra depth. At the top end, prestige rosé cuvées (Cristal Rosé, Dom Pérignon Rosé, Krug Rosé) are among the most sought-after and age-worthy sparkling wines made. At the everyday end, tank-method and Crémant rosés deliver fresh, gulpable pink fizz. Editorially, sparkling rosé spans the widest quality range of any pink wine and is worth judging by producer and method, not colour alone.
Production process
Principal producers
- Krug (Rosé)
- Louis Roederer (Cristal Rosé)
- Billecart-Salmon (Brut Rosé)
Editorial notes
Rosé Champagne is the age-worthy benchmark; Billecart-Salmon's is a classic reference. For value, look to Crémant and Cava rosé.