"Grand Vintage Rosé 2008": A Perfect Balance of Acidity

MOËT & CHANDON boasts a history spanning over 270 years. What kind of Champagne is "Grand Vintage Rosé 2008," the 41st vintage rosé in its long lineage?

"The climate in 2006 and 2008 differed significantly. While 2006 was relatively warm, 2008 was one of the coolest years in the past decade. We experienced a mild winter, a rainy and often overcast spring, and a cool summer. However, thanks to dry conditions, the grapes achieved moderate ripeness and remained healthy by harvest. It's rare for all three grape varietals to mature in such sound condition. Following a series of warm vintages, the cooler climate of 2008 resulted in higher acidity, making advanced blending skills essential to achieve balance. By focusing on rich fruitiness and controlled acidity, we were able to create a superb vintage with a delicate, complex structure and a high level of balanced acidity, truly embodying the MOËT & CHANDON style."



The "Grand Vintage Rosé 2008" presents a beautiful, vibrant, deep pink hue, with a delicate effervescence of fine bubbles shimmering with complex, bluish-gold reflections. On the palate, the fruity notes of ripe fruit and a pleasant acidity create a wonderfully smooth texture. It is a high-quality rosé Champagne with a delicate yet fresh and full-bodied acidity, perfectly balanced.

On this occasion, we also had the privilege of tasting the exceptionally rare "MOËT & CHANDON Grand Vintage Rosé Collection 1998," of which only 500 bottles exist worldwide. Its profound fruitiness, developed over 15 years of aging, unfolded on the palate, offering a luxurious and lingering finish. Incidentally, both 2008 and 1998 share the commonality of being "cool climate years." This suggests that "Grand Vintage Rosé 2008" will likely become a highly sought-after vintage Champagne, much like its 1998 predecessor.

The Art of Pairing Japanese Cuisine and Champagne: Balancing the Five Tastes

The lunch event was held at Aoyama Jin, a Japanese restaurant. The pairing of Japanese cuisine and Champagne is a union of two UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, both sharing the keyword "delicate." It feels as though restaurants embracing this synergy are becoming increasingly common.



For this occasion, delicate Japanese dishes highlighting seasonal ingredients were served, each paired with the rosé Champagnes. The steamed abalone with rice, a dish featuring a subtle texture, was a perfect match for "Grand Vintage Rosé 2008." Mr. Gouez remarked, "Champagne generally pairs well with most ingredients, but clashing flavors should be avoided. I believe the pairing of rosé with sea urchin is particularly harmonious. I feel a shared sense of values between Japan and MOËT & CHANDON, which makes my visits to Japan always a pleasure."

Japan is the second-largest importer of MOËT & CHANDON globally and the brand is synonymous with Champagne. It is likely that opportunities to enjoy MOËT & CHANDON with Japan's diverse culinary landscape will continue to grow.





MOËT & CHANDON Grand Vintage Rosé 2008
Volume | 750ml
Price | ¥10,150 (excluding tax)