CAILLEZ LEMAIRE 'Rosé'

Instead of blending finished red and white wines right before bottling, Champagne Caillez Lemaire takes a much more complex approach: They blend the fermenting juices directly at the press house. Roughly two-thirds Pinot Meunier is co-fermented with Pinot Noir, allowing the active red wine yeasts to completely integrate with the white juice. A third of the cuvée includes reserve wines aged in old wood casks, and the bottles rest for up to 30 months on the lees before release.

Why we love it: It behaves much more like a light, structural red wine than a simple, fruity sparkling pink. It pours a beautiful, intense raspberry-red color with copper flashes. The nose is a gorgeous festival of floral aromas like lilac and rose petals alongside ripe cherries, wild strawberries, and sweet baking spices. Thanks to its unique co-fermentation, the palate is satisfyingly vinous, boasting a light tannic framework balanced by juicy blood orange, a surprising touch of star anise, and a wonderfully clean, mineral-driven finish.

The vibe: Game night with friends which starts with dim sum takeout! Be sure to order crispy duck spring rolls, BBQ pork buns, shrimp dumplings and turnip cake.