Gérard Bertrand, coming from the south of France, in the Languedoc, took over his father’s winery in 1987, although he started off as a professional rugby player in France. Gérard Bertrand currently owns 16 estates with their unique terroirs in the region. The Languedoc has been growing grapes for wines for 24 centuries (Greeks planted grapes around 550 BC) and produces 5% of the world’s wine. Gérard has loved his vineyard land passionately and enthusiastically for over 30 years and is a strong promoter of biodynamic viticulture.
I recently received a bottle of Gérard Bertrand sparkling rosé wine. I have not tried this sparkling wine before but have enjoyed many other bottles of red, white, and rosé wines from Gérard Bertrand. Here are my wine tasting notes.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Gérard Bertrand Esprit de Cote des Roses Brut Rosé, NV (BC $32.99)
No decanting as this is a sparkling wine. A blend of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 15% Grenache Noir. Stainless steel fermented. Winemaker’s notes, “The grapes are gently pressed to preserve aromatic purity. Only the heart of the press was retained, ensuring finesse and precision. The first and last juices were discarded. The base wines, vinified with rigour, are then blended with rosé reserve wines aged for several months in barrels. The second fermentation is followed by ageing on the lees, adding complexity and texture.’
Appearance: A clear, lighter peach colour, with very energetic, medium-sized bubbles forming from the bottom of the glass when poured.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of fresh red fruits and strawberries.
Palate: This wine is slightly off-dry, medium-plus body with a round, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-sized bubbles, a mix of creamy bubbles that evolve to biting bubbles, give you a fuller mouthfeel. Strawberries, red berries, some grape stem bitterness, and a touch of floral on the palate that gets stronger toward the finish. I also picked up some stony minerality.
Finish: Medium to medium-plus length, finishing slightly off-dry with light strawberries, floral, stoniness, and bitter grape stem.
Rating: 
A fresh, lightly off-dry, sparkling rosé wine with strawberries and red fruits on the nose and palate, and lots of medium-sized bubbles to enjoy.
Gérard Bertrand recommends serving this wine with a variety of seafoods.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
BC Liquor stores carry this sparkling wine.
