The Chandon California Brut Rosé is a Sparkling Wine I found selling for $18.99 at Target. Chandon is the first French Champagne House to start a California outpost (1973).
The Story
Chandon, California, is the California winery of Moet & Chandon, founded 281 years ago. Both are now part of LVMH, a luxury brand company whose holdings include Bvlgari, Tiffany, Hag Heuer, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, and in wine and spirits Hennessy, and Ardbeg, a truly impressive portfolio (I named only a fraction of their brands.)
The Chandon California Brut Rosé is a blend of 57% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and 3% Pinot Muenier. The grapes come from cooler climate coastal vineyards. You typically find California listed as the place of origin when grapes from North Coast AVA, such as Sonoma, Napa, or Mendocino, are combined with Central Coast grapes, including Santa Barbara or Monterrey.
This is a non-vintage wine, so it is blended to make each bottle the same year after year. Chandon Rosé has in the past received 90 and 94 points from leading wine magazines.
One difference between California Chandon and French Moet & Chandon is that Chandon’s second fermentation lasts a minimum of 12 months, while French Champagne lasts at least 18 months. Some of the reasons may be cost Chandon California is half the price of Moet & Chandon, the main reason may be climate.
Whiskey from Kentucky and Tennessee age for 6 years, while Scotch will age for 12 years (and more) since it is warmer in Kentucky and cool in Scotland. California temperatures may quicken the Bubbly maturing.
The Chandon California says Sparkling wine since only Bubbly produced in Champagne can be called Champagne, with a few exceptions.
The alcohol content is 12%.
The Chandon California Brut Rosé Tasting Notes
The color is on the amber side of pink. The nose is a mix of red fruit and yeasty bread. The Chandon California Brut Rosé light, fruit-forward, and tart, and sips very well.
This Sparkling wine tastes like rounded cherry, tart cranberry, a soft slap of spice, a hint of vanilla cream, grapefruit, brioche, stone fruit, and pomegranate.
The acidity allows the flavors to unfold and encourages you to take the next sip.
The Summary
- The Chandon California Brut Rosé is a first-class Bubbly
- It sips well and is very well-made
- Who needs the French stuff when the 1/2 priced California drinks this well
