Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé is a dry pink sparkling wine, and the listing for this bottle gives Massachusetts, United States as its origin. The grape blend, vintage and dosage aren't specified, so the notes below describe what Brut rosé sparkling wines usually deliver. Expect red-berry fruit such as strawberry, raspberry and red cherry, sometimes with a touch of citrus peel or a faint bready note from time on the lees. The body is typically light to medium. Acidity is crisp and drives the wine. Tannin is negligible, because rosé sparkling gets its colour from brief skin contact or a small addition of red wine. Oak rarely plays a part in this style. The bubbles are fine and lively, and the finish is clean and dry, since "Brut" signals little residual sugar. Because the wine is dry and high in acidity, it works best with salty, fried or rich foods. Fried chicken, tempura, potato chips, oysters and salted nuts all suit it, as do charcuterie, soft cheeses like brie and fresh chèvre, and smoked salmon on blini. Its red-fruit character also stands up to lightly spiced dishes such as shrimp with chili, or sushi with a little wasabi. A bowl of strawberries or a not-too-sweet raspberry tart is a simple dessert match. Serve it well chilled, at roughly 42 to 47°F. A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket filled with ice and water, will get it there. Colder temperatures mute the fruit, while a warmer bottle foams on opening and tastes flabby. There is no need to decant, since that would only lose the carbonation. Pour into a tulip-shaped sparkling glass or a white wine glass. Both hold the aromas better than a wide, shallow coupe, and the tulip also keeps the bubbles lasting longer. Wines in this style are made for early drinking, so plan to open the bottle within a year or two of purchase rather than cellaring it.