Christoph Hoch Rurale Rosé (NV)

Rosé Rurale is a unique blend of 70% Zweigelt pressed white from the 2018 vintage, blended with 20% Sanit Laurent which is co-fermented on the skins with 10% Muskat Ottonel, both 2017 vintage. The fun challenge for Hoch in making this wine is getting a perfect balance of the tannins from the skin contact on the Saint Laurent and Muskat Ottonel. The Rosé Rurale is made like the Kalkspitz. That is to say the freshly fermenting zweigelt juice is eventually blended with the finished still wines from the previous vintage. Per Hoch, "it does not stop the fermentation, but strongly changes the aromas." The bubbles in the bottle are entirely from the first fermentation. It's spends six to eight months on the lees, allowing the tannins to come into balance with the bubbles. It's a brut nature, with still wine added back to replace the disgorged lees. Rosé Rurale is a bright and juicy wine, with ripe strawberry notes, a touch of blood orange, and a saline finish. Pure delight!