The Eagles sipped pink champagne on ice, but aficionados agree that it should be served from a vintage cellar, bubbling elegantly from crystal flutes, chilled and served ice-free. It's the perfect libation for sunset on the beach, for toasting friendships or for solitary musings on its exact colour — coral, salmon, dusty rose?
Marc Brévot, project manager of the Oenology department of Moët & Chandon champagne was recently in the country to assess the prevalence of champagne culture in South Africa and the growing love affair with rosé champagne.
Born in the south of France, Brévot spent much of his life travelling. He is both an epicurean and a detail-oriented perfectionist who holds a degree in agricultural engineering from the Ensaia University in Nancy, France, and a degree in wine making from the University of Reims.
“Rosé champagne has gained popularity all over the world in the last few years and in many cases is preferred over brut,” says Brévot.
“South Africans are never far behind international trends, and rosé has successfully captivated the hearts of consumers in the last few years, quietly positioning itself as a luxury, sophisticated, romantic champagne. It may have been thought of as a woman's drink, but the drink has now become just as popular with men. It has fast become a varietal of choice for discerning South African consumers, and many lovers of the bubble are now thinking, and drinking, pink.”
He says the combination of bubbles and delicate pastel shades of berry and salmon pink are also incredibly appealing, and symbolise romance and seduction.
As Madame de Pompadour remarked while raising a glass of Moët & Chandon: “Champagne is the only wine that makes every woman beautiful and every man witty.”
Marc Brévot suggests that the Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial is the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of dishes. The champagne is also delightful on its own. Whatever the occasion, it's imperative to put these paragons of pink in your wine rack today.
Source: The Times
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