L'Instant de Passions Rosé

Here, terroir comes before fruit. The Extra Brut relies on chalk and limestone-driven tension rather than opulence; the bead foams vigorously at first before settling into a fine, almost silky mousse. A precise, food-oriented rosé Champagne with good ageing potential.

Nine hectares lie in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, at the chalky heart of the Côte des Blancs, complemented by Pinot Noir from the Côte des Bar. Marie-Hélène Waris and her husband Vincent founded the house in 1989; today their three children run it. Jean-Philippe took over winemaking in 2009, trained with Benoît Lahaye and converted all the vineyards to biodynamic farming in 2011.

80% Chardonnay from the five Grand Crus, 20% Pinot Noir from the Côte des Bar. The base wines ferment spontaneously and age separately in 600-litre demi-muids and traditional Champagne casks.

On the nose, first chalk, wet stone and subtle autolysis, then with air and warmth wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, blood orange, fine spices and dried herbs, later pastry notes of almond and hazelnut. On the palate, the Chardonnay base lends precision, salinity and chalky tension, while the Pinot Noir contributes red berry fruit, spice and structure.

Waris-Larmandier bottles at around 4.5 bar instead of the usual 6 bar, which makes the mousse creamier and the wines approachable early on. The vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically; the estate has been Demeter-certified since 2020, with the logo featured on the label. The floral labels were designed by daughter Inès.