Wine Specialites Dumangin Ratafia Champenois Grape Wine

A very rare sweet wine from Champagne! Dumangin is one of the last few producers to make this specialty. The base is half brandy made from Champagne and half grape juice from the region, aged for seven years in a combination of old oak and other vessels via the Ratafia method. Ratafia is an ancestral method of preserving fruit juice in the same way that salting was used to preserve meat. It involves four stages: first, in oak casks from Crozes-Hermitage (Alain Graillot). Second, aged Soléra style - ancestral method of maturing and gradually assembling different vintages, generally used for the great Port wines. Third, the cask is closed tight and left outside where it is subject to changes in temperature. Fourth, in stainless steel tanks. The result is a sweet wine in a mouthwatering style similar to Pineau de Charentes that can be cellared an additional 25 years. The bouquet shows cinnamon and spices with ripe tropical fruits and figs, nuts, baking and brown sugar. The palate reflects the nose and is clean without any cloying. Nice amount of fruit with great richness and nutty notes. The finish delivers a baked character of dry biscotti and vanilla. Delicious and a must try for any wine lover!