Bérêche Champagne Campania Remensis Rosé Extra Brut 2019

Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche are the young innovators behind this old family domaine founded in 1847. The fifth generation to head the estate (Raphaël joined his father in 2004), they are unceasingly curious and meticulous, garnering immense attention in France and now in the US. The estate's vineyards are planted with roughly equal parts of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier. They have been turning their attention to natural viticulture, having completely stopped using chemical herbicides in 2003, and converting to biodynamic since 2007. They have slowly been increasing the percentage of oak used in the cellar, and today about three-quarters of the production is vinified in barrel. Disgorging is still done entirely by hand, and they use a traditional liqueur for dosage.

The “Campania Remensis” is a rosé cuvée sourced from a 0.71ha vineyard in Ormes in the west of Montagne de Reims. Made of 60% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay, 5% pinot meunier, and 5% Coteaux Champenois Rouge, the wine spent 36 months on the lees before it was disgorged. It is bright with red and strawberry fruit and streaks of flowers and tobacco. It is persistent with impeccable balance and structure with fine focus and grip. Sustainably grown, vegan.