Mumm is a well-recognized Champagne house. Located in Reims, one of the key towns in the Champagne region in France, it traces its history to the early 1800s. The nonvintage G.H. Mumm Grand Corton Rosé is a sparkling wine mainly made from Pinot Noir, however the two other traditional Champagne grapes of Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are included to make a consistent house blend. Let’s taste these precious bubbles to see how they show.

With a medium salmon hue, the wine delivers small bubbles and a moderately creamy mouthfeel. On the nose, we get medium aroma of rose and blossom, a bounty of red fruits such as cherry and strawberry, and a hint of lemon and unripe nectarine. On the palate, the tiny bubbles are “disco dancing,” and the wine delivers balanced notes of red currant, red cherries, and hints of strawberry and citrus, with a tiny punch of the unripe stone fruit.

A little biscuit and dough comes through also, bringing forth the essence of lees aging. (This is a standard process in Champagne, where the post-fermentation yeast cells are left in the bottle for up to several years before it is expelled through an fascinating process called “disgorgement.”) The lees aging imparts both doughy and yeasty notes, resulting in increased overall complexity and a greater body and mouthfeel.

G.H. Mumm Grand Corton Rosé is a dry sparkling wine, with medium plus acid levels and a medium body. With 13% alcohol, this wine is well-balanced and the finish is nice and lengthy, leaving you with a sense that you are drinking a quality Champagne. $52 is a nice price for this bottle, and you can enjoy it with appetizers, a first course, or all by itself.

A- / $52 / mumm.com

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