Gravitas Rose and Chartogne Taillet

Come on, say it with me!

It's warming up and my own personal preference leans away from those luxurious heavy reds to a cool, but still hefty wine.

Rose is a natural choice. I have recently discovered the refreshing and elegant Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir. Although no technical information can be found on http://www.gravitaswines.co.nz, from my rose research, I believe that the winemaker uses a saignee technique, bleeding off from their award winning Pinot Noir. This rose offers up perfumey aromas of orange blossom and roses, on the palate, ripe red raspberry fruit, a weighty mouthfeel and voluptuous body. A lovely and surprisingly long finish punctuate this exuberant and expressive wine. I paired with grilled yellowfin tuna, tzaitzki sauce and cilantro brown rice. Perfect.


Perfection is also found in the bubbles of Chartogne Taillet NV Cuvee St Anne Brut.
Most champagnes are produced in negociant houses, meaning they purchase fruit for their wines and mass produce them for product consistency. These are wines developed for lifestyle advertising and brand positioning; completely losing all vineyard-specific terroir and there are some very unique soils in Champagne. However, there are several small family run estates still in operation. One of which is Chartogne Taillet, operating on a 12 hectare property in Merfy, this house produces beautiful old-style Champagnes; brioche, almond and toasty biscuit flavors dance over your palate.

Tips for Grower Champagne shopping:

Ask your sommelier or shopkeeper first for grower champagnes. They are an invaluable resource, let them know what you have had in the past, what you enjoyed about it and what you didn't. Their professional opinions will guide you in the right direction.

Look at the label! The French government strictly regulates Champagne labels and all houses are required by law to note whether they are a negociant house, noted as NM (or négociant-manipulants) and followed by a unique number, while Grower Champagnes are noted as RM (or récoltant-manipulants).

Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir can be found at Olenjack's in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar in Fort Worth.

Chartogne Taillet and other Grower Champagnes can be found at Del Frisco's Fort Worth, Big Daddy's #3 in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar.

Both wines can be special ordered through your local wine retailer.

Salut!