Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart NV Extra Brut Rosé

Pairs with: Shortbread cookies

Good for: Enjoying the holidays with those close to you

Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

I am from: Champagne, France

The Story: Laurence Ployez is a third-generation winemaker at her family's estate, which was established in 1930. All of the work on her vineyards is done by hand, from the beginning of the growing season until the grapes are harvested. Unlike most producers in Champagne, she strives to keep the characteristic of each vintage even in her NV blends. Light filtration is used for wines produced in vats, but no filtration is used on wines aged in wooden barrels.

The wines undergo a very slow bottle fermentation in a 25-meter-deep cellar, giving them extremely fine bubbles. Wines are aged nose-to-punt, or sur pointe, in lieu of being aged on their side; aging sur pointe provides the antioxidative and aging benefits of the lees while not allowing the wines to become too rich from the lees contact. Ployez-Jacquemart's goal is to leave the structure of each wine intact, allowing the true character and personality of the harvest to shine through.

Why You'll Love Me: A firm and well-knit rosé, with a pleasingly crunchy texture, this blend offers a delicate range of white cherry and strawberry fruit, pink grapefruit pith and salted Marcona almond notes. A fine and lacy aperitif, with bright acidity and an elegant, nuanced finish.