Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ratafia de Champagne


This is the Champagne equivalent of Pineau de Charentes, of which I had blogged many moons ago. I was at this wine dinner at the periphery of this year's Vinexpo, featuring the wines of Chateau La Conseillante and the champagnes of Moutard. At the conclusion of the meal, they opened a bottle of marc de champagne for us to taste. I casually asked if they had Ratafia de champagne and they said they have, but only at the show. I got invited to see them at their booth and got to taste this mistelle from champagne.

It was remarkably similar to Pineau de Charentes, although the cepage is much more well known: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. An old gold with a sweet vine fruit nose, it was sweet woody nutty and sl
ightly fruity on the palate, with the acid and nuttiness persisting right on through to the finish. Traditionally drunk as an aperitif, I wonder if it might go with a nice hard cheese with a nutty flavour.

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