In 1818, Madame Clicquot made the first-ever "rosé d'assemblage" champagne by mixing some of her red Bouzy wines with white ones. La Grande Dame Rosé honors her idea by using 90% Pinot Noir from the historical Grands Crus of Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, and Bouzy, enriched by 10% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. This base is then blended with 13% Pinot Noir red wine exclusively from the 'Clos Colin' parcel, situated in Bouzy. Aged on lees for 10 years in bottle before being disgorged and topped with a dosage of 8g/L.

Veuve Clicquot is widely regarded as one of the great Champagne houses. A pioneer in Champagne, Madame Clicquot's legacy can still be tasted in every bottle of Veuve. The Vintage by Veuve is a typically generous and full-bodied style of Champagne with all the toastiness and notes of brioche lover of Veuve have come to expect.

Its superb maturity tantalizes all the senses with a deep pink robe highlighted with glints of copper, an extremely delicate persistent effervescence, a nose of crushed strawberries, lime and liquorice underlined by a hint of roast coffee and cacao. The palate is entranced by a variation of gourmet sensations. The fresh, precise and taut attack gives way to reveal a supple, molten and heady structure. The finish imparts fruity notes underscored by a saline freshness. With the purity of its precise, gourmet aromatic structure, the Comtes de Champagne Rosé is perfectly in line with its predecessors and promises to offer excellent ageing potential.

Bernard Lonclas says “making champagne is more than just a trade, it’s a vocation - a calling, even”. We’re glad he’s decided making champagne is his calling, we didn’t know what we were missing until we got this in our glass. This is very much a grower champagne- as rumour would have it Bernard is out hand picking the grapes at the winery just south of Reims during vintage. As Jancis Robinson said, this is not for ‘neophytes’ (for those of you who have to look that word up, so did we). Which just goes to say, this will really excite the nerds and connoisseurs at the party. It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty in the subtle nuances, the florality, the lively body, the creamy texture, and the refreshing finish. With just 10g/L dosage, this will find its groove with the starting nibbles at your next celebration.