Drappier : Grande Sendrée Rosé 2018

A powerful and elegant vintage champagne

The estate

Since its founding in 1808, the Champagne Drappier House, with cellars dating back to the 12th century, has had a history closely tied to pinot noir, its signature grape variety. In the 1930s, this grape was replanted on the estate against the prevailing opinion in the village. History proved the House right, as the Drappier cuvée made entirely from pinot noir, incidentally, was General de Gaulle’s favorite at family meals.

Today, the children of André and Micheline Drappier represent the eighth generation to cultivate this exceptional terroir according to organic and natural principles, including reviving forgotten grape varieties: arbane, petit meslier, and blanc vrai.

The vineyard

The vineyard of the Champagne Drappier House covers 75 hectares of vines. Located south of Reims, the Drappier vineyard is spread between the Côte des Bar with its old vines, the Montagne de Reims with its intense pinot noir, and the Côte des Blancs with its refined chardonnay. This vineyard owes its unique character to its limestone-rich soils and maximum sun exposure. Some of the Drappier parcels are also tended using the family’s draft horse.

The cuvée

Grande Sendrée Rosé 2018 by Drappier is a rosé champagne sourced from a historic parcel of the House.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage stood out for its contrasting weather: a cool, rainy spring followed by a warm, sunny summer. This alternation favored optimal grape ripening, resulting in generous bunches rich in aromas and sugars.

Winemaking and aging

Vinified using the “saignée” method. Three days’ vatting. Cold pre-fermentation maceration of the previously destemmed harvest. Gentle pressing before exclusively selecting the first press. Gravity-fed vinification. Natural settling. Malolactic fermentation. Aged 90% in large oak vats, then matured in bottle for six years. The dosage is 4g/L.

Characteristics and tasting advice for Grande Sendrée Rosé 2018 by Drappier

Tasting

Nose
Complex bouquet mingling strawberry, pomegranate, and violet with toasted notes.

Palate
Round and supple on the palate, carried by a beautiful tension, with notes of red fruits and candied orange.

Serving

For optimal enjoyment, serve at 8°C.

Food and wine pairings

Ideal as an aperitif, this cuvée also pairs beautifully with veal quasi or a potato and crab rösti.