Dom Pérignon launches 2000 and 1990 Rosé Vintages

Moët Hennessy has released two new Dom Pérignon Rosé cuvées from the 2000 and 1990 vintages.

Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2000 will be in selected top-end on-trade and prestige retailers from April 2010, priced from £280 in the UK, and is described as having “well defined classical balance”.

The generally warm 2000 growing season featured lower than average temperatures in July and frequent storms that brought significant amounts of rain and hail. But the end result proved successful with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from selected Dom Pérignon vineyard sites showing a “qualitative homogeneity”, and the “supple” Chardonnay providing the champagne its “suave character”.

Library release – first Oenothèque Rosé

Dom Pérignon Rosé Oenothèque 1990 is a different beast. Following continual requests from sommeliers and wine collectors, it is the first time the company has released a rosé cuvee into its much vaunted Oenothèque Collection.

The 20 year-old limited release is ready to drink, and available on strict allocation to top UK restaurants and prestige retailers from April, priced £520.

Dom Pérignon ages its vintages in the cellar, at which point (generally 7 years for Blanc, 10 years for Rosé) they are said to have reached their “first plenitude” and are released for consumption. A limited quantity of each vintage is reserved for further ageing, however, destined for release once they have reached their “second plenitude” after another ten years or more, depending on the vintage.

Dom Pérignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy describes Dom Pérignon Rosé as an: "Extroverted wine that gives the Pinot Noir grape its due, almost to the point of contradiction, since the heart of the Dom Pérignon spirit is to achieve a perfect balance between white and black grapes. That is what makes it so tantalizing."