How Wessman One is making elegant rosé champagnes our summer staple

The champagne world may have succumbed to the painful effects of the Covid-19 pandemic – reporting sales dropping as much as 70% as the public found little worth celebrating amid global lockdowns – combined with the ‘Ginaissance’ craze over the scorching summer days.

The loosening of restrictions, however, has since reignited publics calls for celebrations, with beautifully crisp French bubbles as again synonymous with all things decadent and opulent. A particularly sublime sparkling Rosé has emerged on the champagne scene courtesy of Château de Saint-Cernin.

The Château was bought by Robert Wessman – the Icelandic billionaire known as ‘the Viking Boss’ for his transformation of Iceland’s pharmaceutical scene – in the early 2000s, with the ambition to restore the 12th century residence to its former glory. The property had been known for producing fine wines for centuries, as well as gaining a reputation as an aristocratic residence. Today, the château is home to the winery, owned and run by Wessman, his partner and wine connoisseur Ksenia Shakhmanova, CEO James de Roany and vineyard manager Phillipe Mathias. 

The house began its journey with the N°1 Saint-Cernin Rouge. This 2016 vintage blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon earned gold medal accolades at the Concours General Agricole de Paris in 2017. Buoyed by this success, the multi-award-winning 2017 N°1 Saint-Cernin Blanc soon followed – a golden white wine vinified in the Pyrenean mountain foothills. Recently, the brand has launched a stunning punk champagne, the Wessman One rosé cuvée. >>

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To perfect Wessman One, the brand collaborated with some of the most sought after pedigree champagne makers, who worked their magic in a Maison in Aÿ, Champagne – home to some of the world’s most prestigious houses such as Moët et Chandon, Veuve-Clicquot and Bollinger.   

Enveloping a faultless union of Pinot Noir (55%) and Chardonnay (45%), the cuvée aged three years in a limestone cellar to give rise to the luscious fruity notes of strawberries and currants, sharp citrus notes of orange and grapefruit and an aromatic rose undertone. The subtle but persistent fizz of fine bubbles cuts through the bold flavours, making it a perfect accompaniment for seafood or even light patisserie-style desserts. 

Despite being a relatively new champagne brand on the market, the award-winning Wessman One has gained fans throughout the fine dining world. It can be enjoyed in restaurants including La Manufacture, Paris, Le Vieux Logis in Tremolat; London’s Hide restaurant and on-board VistaJet private jets. It is available to order from Hedonism Wines.