Champagne Friday: Tasting with Gary

K&L Champagne Buyer Gary Westby offers a peek inside a typical Champagne staff tasting. Of course, Champagne tastings at K&L are hardly typical! This lineup includes two particularly unusual rosé Champagnes -- the 2007 Marguet Pere et Fils Brut Rose ($49.99) and the Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Rosé Champagne ($49.99) -- made with a small amount still red wine added to the blend. A must-try for any serious connoissuer, these exceptional beauties are extremely limited in quantity...

2007 Marguet Pere et Fils Brut Rose ($49.99) Unlike most rosé Champagnes this is neither a saignée method whereby dark grapes are kept on the skins for a short time, after which the juice is bled off, not by the addition of still red wine, but by a combination of the two!

Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Rosé Champagne ($49.99)Composed of 70% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Noir vinified white, and 7% Pinot Noir vinified red, this Grand Cru Rose Champagne is pretty special stuff...a food Champagne with endless possibilities.