There are two ways to make a rosé Champagne. One is precise, consistent, and favoured by the grandes maisons. The other is rarer, harder to control — and unmistakably personal. It's the one we care about most.
Assemblage : the art of consistency
Rosé d'assemblage is the dominant method. A small proportion of still red wine — typically 5 to 15% — is blended into the white base before the second fermentation. The result is refined, fruity, elegant. And consistent year after year.
That consistency is exactly what the big houses value : a recognisable house style, regardless of vintage. What it doesn't deliver is the mark of a winemaker who made a decision no algorithm could replicate.
Saignée : the winemaker's gesture
With rosé de saignée, black-grape skins macerate with the juice — for a few hours, sometimes longer. The juice draws colour, structure and intensity from the skins before being drained off. Hence the name : saignée, the bleeding.
The maceration time shifts with each vintage — the weather, the ripeness of the grapes, the winemaker's instinct. No two batches are identical. That's precisely what makes a rosé de saignée a true grower Champagne : it carries the year within it.
The colour is deeper. The profile is more vinous, fuller, more structured. It goes well beyond the aperitif — it accompanies a meal.
The Rosé Secret by Delabaye & Fils : our current benchmark
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier. Three years on lees. Premier Cru. Damery, Vallée de la Marne.
Our sommelier Manuela Prieth describes it as : intense colour, blueberry, watermelon and pomegranate on the nose. On the palate, juicy and full, fresh, with a fine herbaceous note that adds structure. Deliberately present — a Champagne that doesn't hide.
3 stars in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2021. Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale.
Discover the Rosé Secret at quast-collection.com
Coming soon : a second rosé de saignée at Quast Collection
We are finalising the addition of a second rosé de saignée to our catalogue. A different winemaker. A different terroir. The same commitment to craft.
We won't say more for now — but in a few weeks, it will be here.
To be among the first to know : follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter.
FAQ
Q : What is the difference between rosé d'assemblage and rosé de saignée ?
R : In rosé d'assemblage, red wine is added to a white base. In rosé de saignée, black grape skins macerate with the juice, colouring it naturally. The result is deeper in colour, more vinous in style and more vintage-dependent.
Q : Why is rosé de saignée rarer ?
R : Maceration is difficult to control — it varies with each vintage and requires precise intervention. It's less reproducible than assemblage, which is why most major houses prefer the blending method.
Q : What foods pair well with a rosé de saignée ?
R : It's more versatile than a classic rosé. Aperitif, summer vegetables, grilled dishes, duck — it holds its own alongside assertive flavours.
Q : When will the second rosé de saignée arrive at Quast Collection ?
R : In a few weeks. Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to the newsletter to be notified first.
Q : How do I order the Rosé Secret by Delabaye ?
R : Directly at quast-collection.com. Delivery to Germany within 3 to 5 business days, in certified protective packaging. For larger orders, our team is available to advise you.
Discover the Rosé Secret now — and stay tuned for the arrival of our second rosé de saignée.
