December Rosé Club
Happy New Year! While this year our celebrations will be necessarily smaller and more low-key than usual, we at PlumpJack can honestly say we have never been happier to turn over our calendars and greet a new year. The end of 2020 deserves a very special toast, and so this month we are featuring two frizzante stunners with which to raise a glass to better times ahead.
The first comes to us from Quinta de Calcada, one of our favorite Portuguese producers. It is made in the Vinho Verde DOC, from the Vinhao varietal, in the style that has become synonymous with the region: fresh and fruity, low in alcohol and ever-so-slightly effervescent.
The second is a Cremant Rosé, which means it is a delicious and cost effective alternative to Rose Champagne. There are 8 different Cremant appellations in France (and one in Luxembourg), and the designation denotes that the wine is made utilizing the same labor intensive approach (and upholding the same high quality standards) that are employed in Champagne. This particular example is a Cremant de Bourgogne from producer Henri Champliau. It is composed of the three most famous Burgundian grapes - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay - and made in the methode champanoise style, wherein the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and is aged on its lees for 15 months.
We hope you have enjoyed all our selections this year as much as we have loved sharing them with you. Happy Holidays and…
Think Pink!
Carrie Upson- General Manager
Lago Cerqueira Vinho Verde Rosé DOC, Portugal
Price per bottle/Price per case: $11 btl / $118.80 per case
Winemaker: Joao Cabrial Almeida
About the Winery: Quinta da Calçada has been producing wine in Amarante for over a century, making them one of the oldest producers of the Vinhos Verdes region. They have more than 50ha of vineyards treated and certified according to sustainable practices, which express what the best nature has to offer. The Quinta da Calçada cellars were founded in 1917, focusing on quality wines and sparkling wines.
The fruit used for developing this blend was grown accordingly to the Portuguese Integrated sustainable Agriculture, which follows the guidelines defined by the International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control (IOBC) guidelines.
About the winemaking: The previously selected grapes were de-stemmed and slightly pressed. The extracted juice is decanted by gravity. It was then fermented in stainless steel vats with temperature control during approximately 15 days. Before bottling the wine is filtered and stabilized.
Tasting notes: This wine presents a light salmon colour and a slight effervescence that favors the release of its fruity aroma. It reveals a great freshness on the mouth, with vivid notes of fuschia and reds fruit underscored by a zippy acidity, resulting in a very pleasant and versatile wine.
Suggested Food Pairing: Perfect alone as an aperitif or with light and fresh entrees. Ideal to match with sushi, pasta, pizza or white meats.
Henri Champliau Brut Rosé N/V Cremant de Bourgogne AOC, France
Price per bottle/Price per case: $28/ $302.40 per case
Winemaker: Alexandre Graffard
About the Winery: Henri Champliau is a family-owned sparkling wine producer in Mercurey, located in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise region of Burgundy. The company was founded by Alexandre Graffard in 2016, who named the winery after his grandfather, who held deep admiration for the terroir and craftsmanship of Burgundy.
Operating as a négociant, Alexandre believes it’s all about sourcing and works directly with his growers to obtain high-quality grapes. “No middleman,” says Alexandre, “I want to be the first person to select the grapes and I take all the best sources I can find.” Henri Champliau produces both Charmat-method wines and traditional method Crémant de Bourgogne.
About the wine making: Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé is produced with Pinot Noir and small percentages of Chardonnay and Gamay, vinified separately in small lots before assemblage and 15 months of aging sur latte. Only three percent of still red wine is blended in to achieve a pale pink color. “Most Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé is darker than mine,” says Alexandre, “I want mine to have the proper color of rosé.”
Tasting notes: A beautiful salmon pink colour, a delicate nose of white flowers and red berries, clear and intense on the palate. Pinot Noir is predominant in the blend, bringing elegance and strength, while the freshness of Chardonnay and the delicacy of the Gamay perfect the balance of this cuvée.
Suggested Food Pairing: This crémant can an be an excellent partner to meatier dark fish such as grilled salmon or seared Ahi tuna. Sushi and sashimi are also brilliant pairs, as are dishes with root vegetables, mushrooms, and eggplant.
