Champagne Deutz has launched a 2005 vintage rosé that, in keeping with its location in the grand cru village of Ay, is made 100% from Pinot Noir.

Light ruby red, 80% of its fruit comes from Montagne de Reims villages of Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay and 20% from the Grande Vallée de la Marne. It’s made by blending 10% Pinot Noir vinified as red wine from parcels of old vines in the Côte d’Aÿ: La Pelle, Froide Terre and Le Clos.

Although the colour, and to an extent the taste, suggests the percentage of red wine is higher, the La Pelle site in particular is low yielding, providing particularly concentrated and powerful Pinot Noir. A full and ample style with distinctive cherry-like fruit while enjoyable on its own this is really more of a food wine.

The winemaking team at Deutz suggest it’s a good match for duck in cranberry sauce, rack of lamb, pigeon stuffed with cherries, even beef Wellington as well as Asian dishes like Yakitori – savoury skewers of grilled meat and vegetables.

News item from Imbibe.com, 11-05-2010