Clos Amador Rose Brut

Clos Amador Rosé Brut is a dry sparkling rosé from Massachusetts, labeled under the Esplanda name. The details we have don't give the grape blend, vintage, ABV or production method, so the notes below describe what brut rosé sparkling wines typically offer, not a measured profile of this bottle. Brut is the dry end of the sweetness scale, so expect little perceptible sugar. Rosé versions usually lean on red-berry fruit such as strawberry, raspberry and red cherry, often with a citrus-peel or faint floral edge. The body is typically light to medium, the bubbles fine to moderate, and the finish crisp and clean. Sparkling wines in this style rarely show noticeable oak or tannin. The structure comes from acidity, which is what keeps them refreshing at the table. That acidity and dryness make a brut rosé a flexible food wine. It suits salty, fried or rich foods, which the bubbles and acid cut through: oysters, shrimp, fried chicken, potato chips, soft-ripened cheeses and charcuterie. It also works with salmon, sushi, and lightly spiced dishes where a fuller red would dominate. For brunch it handles eggs, smoked fish and buttery pastries well, and it pairs with fresh berries or a not-too-sweet fruit tart at dessert. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F, which is roughly three hours in a refrigerator or 30 minutes in an ice bucket of water and ice. Colder than that mutes the fruit, and warmer makes the bubbles feel coarse. Don't decant it, since that would only let the carbonation fade. A tulip-shaped white wine glass or a flute works; the tulip gives the red-fruit aromas more room, while the flute keeps the bubbles lively longer. Hold the cork as you ease it out so it opens with a soft sigh instead of a pop, which preserves the carbonation for the glass. Treat it as a drink-now bottle. Non-vintage-style sparkling rosés are made for freshness and rarely improve with long cellaring. Keep it in a cool, dark spot until you chill it, and plan to open it within a year or so of purchase for the brightest fruit.