2009 Champagne Jean Vesselle 'Bouzy Rouge' Coteaux Champenois (Still Red Wine)

Coteaux Champenois Rouge - Pinot Noir. Still Red Wine. In the 17th century Bouzy Rouge was a high quality and revered wine. The naturally warm amphitheater of Bouzy enabled the grapes to ripen in order to produce still red wine. So popular was this wine that sparkling Champagne was not actually produced in Bouzy! Bouzy Rouge hit its straps during the reign of King Louis XIV, he preferred Bouzy Rouge to Burgundy when drinking with his court! This wine comes from the same parcel as the Bouzy Blanc, but from a slightly riper parcel that has a warmer aspect. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at 31 degrees in order to extract colour, followed by 36 hours of cold soaking to preserve the flavours and characters from the warmer fermentation. The wines are on skins for a total of 12-15 days.