How about a French Rose for Valentine's Day instead of roses?

[Bucko]

NV Bouvet, Brut Rosé Excellence, Samur, France, $17. Light salmon pink in color, this elegant wine presents aromas and flavors of berries, currants and a twist of citrus. Good value; 86/89.

NV Henriot, Brut Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, $70. A lovely coppery-pink hue reveals a medium-fine fine bead. Elegant, crisp and refreshing in the mouth, you’ll find delightful raspberries and minerals abounding; 90/90.

2002 Henriot, Brut Rosé Millesimé, Reims, France, $100. Brass colored with a pink tinge, this Champagne has a delicate nose of mixed red berries. Crisp, elegant and complex in the mouth, the finish lingers endlessly; 92/92.

NV Lucien Albrecht, Rosé, Crémant d’Alsace, France, $20. Delicate pink in color with a medium bead. Red berries highlight the nose and palate, with a smooth mouth feel – perfect for an aperitif; 86/87.

NV Nicolas Feuillatte, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France, $53. Copper-pink in color, with a vigorous bead that delivers berry, citrus, toast and apple aromas and flavors, riding on a crisp backbone; 89/89.

NV Pierre Sparr, Cremant Brut Rosé, Alsace, France, $20, 400 cases imported. This crystal pink Cremant reveals mixed red berries on the nose and palate. It is very fruity, with a hint of sweetness and a long finish; 87/88.

NV Taittinger, Brut Prestige Rosé, Reims, France, $75. Medium pink, with a fine bead, this aromatic wine reveals raspberries, red cherries, currants and toast. You’ll find excellent structure, with layers of fruit and a biscuit note; 90/90.

[andrawes76]

Any Spanish Cava recommendations???

[VouvrayHead]

Haven't had any pink cava, but I really like Cristalino and Segura Viudas as great bargain cava. Marques de Gelidas is good for a bit more, as is the Segura Viudas Heredad reserva.

[winoweenie]

What's wrong with aa modicum of both Herr Buckinheimer? WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[Bucko]

NV Segura Viudas, Brut Rosé, Spain, $12. Sporting a cranberry color, the medium bead carries strawberry and citrus peel aromas. Delicate berry fruit is backed by crisp acidity. Good value; 84/87.

[VouvrayHead]

I can't believe I forgot about this. By far the best inexpensive pink bubbly out there IMHO is the N.V. Taltarni Brut Tache. It's from New Zealand and superb at $15 or so. Heady, doughy, berry... very good, particularly with food.
I do really like the Lucien Albrecht brut rose as well, which is more feminine and a few bucks more.

[dananne]

We drink a lot of Cristalino's Rose in the summer.

[Bucko]

Not NZ, but close.

NV Taltarni, Brut Taché, Victoria-Tasmania, Australia, $20, 2,000 cases imported. Off-dry, crisp and refreshing, this brassy pink bubbly displays berries, roses, stone fruit and citrus across the spectrum; 86/87.

[VouvrayHead]

I agree with your notes to an extent, Bucko, but I wouldn't dream of calling the Taltarni off-dry. It's a brut for sure.
And yep. I screwed up. Not NZ. Tasmania! How cool is that?! I think some of the grapes are from the pyrenees, though.

[This message has been edited by VouvrayHead (edited 02-07-2009).]

[Bucko]

The wine has 1.1% RS, which is off-dry in my books. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

BTW, by law Brut can have up to 1.5% RS.

[This message has been edited by Bucko (edited 02-08-2009).]