Moët & Chandon added Rosé Impérial to its range in 1997, as a non vintage wine made every year rather than only in exceptional seasons. It is built mainly on the red grapes of Champagne: 40 to 50 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 to 40 per cent Meunier, with 10 to 20 per cent Chardonnay. Between 20 and 30 per cent of the blend is reserve wine from earlier harvests, which helps the style stay steady from one bottling to the next.
The colour is pink with amber highlights. The nose is wild strawberry, raspberry and cherry with a rose note and a slight touch of pepper, and the palate adds redcurrant and peach before a fresh, minty finish. It is a Brut, so the fruit comes across lively rather than sweet.
The house suggests serving it at 10 to 12 degrees in a tulip shaped glass rather than a flute, which lets the aromas open up. Oysters, delicate sushi and soft creamy cheeses all match it, and so do grilled summer peaches or a bowl of fresh berries.