NV-C Terres Secrètes Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne AOC, Burgundy, France (750ml)
About the Icons
A Quarterly Sparkling Wine Club Selection
If we had our way, we would drink fine Champagne all of the time, but our discretionary income often doesn’t support this sentiment. That’s why we were over the moon to discover Terres Secrètes, meaning ‘secret lands’, which is a collaboration between one of our favorite vendors, California-based North Berkeley Imports and a winery in the Mâcon region of Burgundy in operation since 1951. The idea behind the project is to produce Champagne quality wines for decidedly un-Champagne prices and to showcase Burgundy’s legendary limestone terroirs.
The vineyard sources for this venture, which are farmed sustainably, are in and around the village of Sologny at the southern end of the zone, with soils featuring Burgundy’s classic mix of clay and limestone. We were thrilled to present this sparkling rosé made in the méthode Champenoise, alongside three unique sparkling wines—even a premier cru Champagne—since it holds its own quite well. While undoubtedly leaner in style, it offers a complexity and elegance that we rarely see at this price point.
A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, the grapes were hand-harvested and macerated briefly to extract color, then pressed and fermented on selected yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. Aged in tank, with 10% of wine aged in older French oak barrels for six months. Secondary fermentation in bottle for two years. The final wine is 90% vintage wine and 10% reserve wine (a blend of eight vintages). Dosage: 7 g/L.
Pale pink, with a fine bead of tiny bubbles. Inviting aromas of tart red fruit and chalky minerality. The palate is clean and focused, with flavors suggesting red cherry and grapefruit flesh. Bright and juicy all the way through, this is a crowd-pleasing sparkling rosé, perfect for entertaining or as a wonderful brunch accompaniment!