Rosé des Riceys: Louis XIV's Secret

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 🍷 1

   Taste the "Goût des Riceys"

   wine $$

   The "Goût des Riceys" is the specific taste winemakers aim for - when they deliberately stop fermentation at the perfect moment. It's unique, mineral, not like any other rosé, and you can taste it at Olivier Horiot or Alexandre Bonnet domaine in Les Riceys. Book ahead (contact@horiot.fr or +33 3 25 29 32 16 for Horiot) and ask to compare Rosé des Riceys with their champagne rosé.

   🔄 BACKUP: If neither available, try Morel Père et Fils or Guy de Forez.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 📜 2

   Ask About the Louis XIV Story

   history Free

   Stonemasons from Les Riceys worked on Versailles in the 1660s-1680s. They brought their local wine. Louis XIV tasted it and demanded more. The reputation was made. During your tasting at the domaine, ask your host to tell the Louis XIV story - every producer knows it, it's the founding legend.

   🔄 BACKUP: Research the story beforehand if your French isn't strong enough for the telling.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Buy a Bottle (While You Can)

   wine $$

   Only 50,000 bottles per year total. Not made every vintage. At the domaine shop after your tasting, you'll find bottles for €25-40 versus €50+ in Paris (if you can find it). This is rare wine - buy at least one bottle and ask about older vintages if collecting, as prices rise with age.

   🔄 BACKUP: If sold out, ask which other producers in Les Riceys still have bottles.

   🍷 Log Memory
4. 🍷 4

   Compare with Their Champagne Rosé

   Optional

   wine $$

   Most Riceys producers also make champagne, including rosé champagne. Tasting both side by side during your visit shows how the same grapes become completely different wines. Ask for a comparative tasting - the cost is usually included in the tasting fee.

   🔄 BACKUP: If they don't offer comparison, buy a bottle of each.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  This is NOT champagne - it's a still rosé with its own AOC

• ✦

  Only 15-20 producers make it, not every year

• ✦

  Olivier Horiot and Alexandre Bonnet are the quality leaders

• ✦

  Alexandre Bonnet also makes the "7 Cépages" project with all 7 permitted varieties

• ✦

  The wine ages beautifully - ask about older vintages

• ✦

  Book ahead - these are tiny family operations, not tourist setups

• ✦

  "Goût des Riceys" is pronounced goo day ree-say