Rosé Brut

A rosé Champagne that clearly reveals its origins in the Côte des Blancs: the high proportion of Chardonnay keeps it cool and taut, while the Pinot Noir provides the delicate color and a subtly tannic phenolic structure that gives the wine grip. Clearly defined, taut, and a pleasure to drink.

The De Sousa family estate is located in Avize, at the heart of the Côte des Blancs, founded in the 1950s by Antoine de Sousa and Zoémie Bonville, and today run by Erick and Michelle de Sousa together with their children Charlotte, Julie and Valentin. The Chardonnay for this cuvée comes mainly from Grauves, partly from Avize, while the Pinot Noir comes from Aÿ. The vines grow on chalky soils with a thin layer of clay and are on average over 40 to 45 years old. Ploughing is done with the horses Vidoc and Capucine, to avoid soil compaction and encourage deeper rooting into the chalk.

A blend of about 92 percent Chardonnay and 8 percent Pinot Noir. Hand-harvested; the Chardonnay ferments in stainless steel tanks, while the Pinot Noir is aged in small barrels, after which the two are blended. Unfiltered and unfined, around 20 percent reserve wines for depth, dosage of about 7 g/l. 12.5% ABV.

On the nose, initially slightly yeasty, with animating, tart undertones: cranberry and sugared redcurrant, small wild strawberries, brioche and toasted almonds, underscored by chalk and a hint of orange zest. On the palate, the red fruit stays cool and precise, joined by blood orange, while the salty limestone minerality and vivid acidity carry the long finish.

With salmon tartare with citrus, poultry, tuna or avocado salad with sesame, as well as on its own as an aperitif.

De Sousa farms organically and biodynamically: organic certification in 2010, Demeter certification in 2013, with the Demeter logo featured on the label.