Savory Sparkling Rosé - Wine & Spirits Magazine

Wine of the Week

Savory Sparkling Rosé

by Jamal Rayyis • December 18, 2023

Winemaker Aimee Keushguerian (Photo courtesy of the winery)

This faintly pink, Areni-based bubbly draws from vines growing in Armenia’s mountainous Vayots Dzor region at altitudes claimed to reach nearly 5,500 feet. Not only are these said to be the highest sparkling-wines vineyards in the northern hemisphere, but they’re nearby the oldest archaeological remnants of a winery yet discovered anywhere–Areni-1, dating back to 4000 BCE. (Yes, there is a connection between the grape name and village near the site of the ancient winery). Provenance aside, the high elevation nearly assures fresh acidity, while 22 months of lees aging adds a hazelnut-like creaminess to the wine’s appealing dried apple and pear flavors. This is a savory sparkler to serve with cold appetizers—from garlic-laden eggplant caviar to stuffed grape-leaves, to cured fish and salty string cheese.

90

Keush 2018 Vayots Dzor Brut Nature Cuvée Couchane Rosé Sparkling

$40

Where To Buy

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Jamal Rayyis

Jamal Rayyis is a NYC-based writer, editor and educator—and copy editor for this magazine. A pioneer in covering Middle Eastern wine, he is at work on a book on the politics of wine in the Middle East and occasionally updates his blog at palatesavvy.com.

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TAGS Armenia Vayots Dzor Wine of the Week

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