Discovering Quirky Elegance in Murky Pink Bliss
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2021 Chanterêves Marsannay Rosé
Jean Françaix, Divertimento
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There are times when I crave a change in routine, yet I am not entirely ready to venture far from my comfort zone. This sentiment extends to my selection of wines as well. Drinking Burgundy wines is undeniably my favorite indulgence; it’s my comfort zone. Whether red or white, I am content as long as it hails from Burgundy, or at the very least, it is a Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay.
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On one of those days when I yearned for something different but hesitated to be too audacious, I perused my wine shelf. Voila! I settled on this Marsannay Rosé. I genuinely wanted to uncork something unique to welcome my sister-in-law, visiting us from London. However, unsure of her wine preferences and not wanting something overly adventurous personally, this seemed like a decent choice.
I first encountered this wine at Somm Cellars’ rosé tasting event over the summer, where it stood out among forty-something other bottles. This was also when I was introduced to Burgundy’s Chanterêves. Since then, I have become a big fan of Chanterêves, as you might recall from my previous blog post about Chanterêves’ Pét Nat (“Pét Nat, Why Not?”). Just as the Pét Nat showcased energy, fun, depth, and complexity, this Marsannay Rosé brings forth quirks, personalities, excitement, and joy.
While conventional rosé is often a transparent, bright pink liquid, this cloudy salmon-pink wine makes a bold statement. Resting sideways on the shelf, the unfiltered murky wine collected sediment in the bottle, so I left it upright the night before opening.
As I took the bottle out of the refrigerator and inspected the accumulated sediment on the bottom, I felt a surge of excitement. The moment of opening a bottle is always thrilling, whether it’s a screw cap or cork. I anticipate that moment even more than the first nosing. Upon uncorking, a refreshing aroma emanated from the wine, making my heart pound with excitement.
I detected notes of strawberry, melon, watermelon rind, parsley, rose, yeast, cherry, cotton candy, and a slight hint of manure, which dissipated fifteen minutes later. The mouthfeel was quite intriguing. Due to the wine being unfiltered, I felt more body and weight than typical rosé, yet the slight fizz brightened the character quite well.
This is not your typical rosé. Some, like myself, may love it, while others may not. I understand. While some associate rosé with fresh crispness, viewing it as an easy summer afternoon drink, I personally see rosé as an all-season wine that can be paired with an even wider range of foods than whites and reds.
Much like music preferences, where some love heavy post-Romanticism, light Viennese School, or calming Medieval music, I find this quirky wine pairs exceptionally well with lighthearted French music from the 20th century. If one could taste the sound, I imagine this wine resembling the music of Francis Poulenc, Erik Satie, Florent Schmitt, and Vincent d’Indy. However, the perfect piece that came to my mind as I savored my way through the wine was Divertimento by Jean Françaix.
I had forgotten about this piece for many years, more than ten for sure. Composed for the flute and piano, it’s a short piece, lasting less than ten minutes, yet it comprises five movements, each showcasing a different style—some funny, romantic, pretty, serious, etc. The ever-changing personalities every two minutes or so make this piece more enjoyable, adding dramatic elements for the listeners.
When I started this blog, my goal was to share my impressions and the feelings evoked from enjoying wine. This small joy led me to rediscover my favorite piece from the youth, thanks to Chanterêves’ Marsannay Rosé. As I write this and listen to the music, I feel my passion for playing the flute reigniting, and I think it’s finally time for me to learn this piece!
Audio: Jean Françaix, Divertimento pour flûte et piano (Vincent Lucas, flute; Laurent Wagschal, piano)