Rosé de Riceys AOC is a still, dry, dark pink, pink wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grown in 8 communes (listed below) near Bar-sur-Seine, in the Côte des Bar, in the extreme south of the Aube department. It is the southernmost wine from the Champagne region. Rosé de Riceys takes its name from the commune of Les Riceys and is one of only two geo-specific appellations for pink wine in France, Tavel AOC in the Rhône being the other. Rosé de Riceys is said to be one of France’s longest-lived still rosé wines (Michael Edwards: World of Fine Wine 32 2011, p.157). ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV (1638-1715; reigned 1643-1715) was a Rosé des Riceys fan. Clive Coates MW (1990, p.308) however described Rosé de Riceys as ‘undistinguished’.

Not to be confused with: Coteaux Champenois AOC which is a completely separate appellation (Tom Stevenson: 1988: p.158).

Communes (8): Avirey-Lingey. | Bagneux-la-Fosse. | Balnot-sur-Laignes. | Bragelogne-Beauvoir. | Gyé-sur-Seine. | Mussy-sur-Seine. | Neuville-sur-Seine. | Les Riceys.

Winemaking: Pinot noir undergoes a short maceration on skins.

Colour: Pink-ruby (Michael Edwards: World of Fine Wine 32 2011, p.157). Dark for a rosé, but not quite the colour of a light red wine (Tom Stevenson: 1988, p.158).

Typical flavours: ‘Chocolate, herbs, mint,’ (Tom Stevenson: 1988, p.158). Also crab apple, gooseberry, quince.

Production: 1988: 360hl (Clive Coates MW: 1990, p.308). | 1999 819ha (Guide Hachette: 2004, p.674). | 2000 640hl (Guide Hachette: 2004, p.674).

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Champagne Olivier Horiot.