A Champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Grand Vintage Rose 2008 is a champagne distinguished by its maturity, complexity and charisma. Aged for 7 years, Grand Vintage is a truly unique blend based on the harvest of 2008 extraordinary grapes. Although temperatures were in line with 30-year averages, 2008 can still be considered a cooler year in comparison to the last decade, similar to 2004 and 1998. Winter was mild and spring mostly rainy and grey. Summer was particularly cool but, fortunately, dry as well. September was the key month for the 2008 vintage: the initial rains were swept away by a north-westerly wind that favoured proper ripening, healthy grapes and a smooth harvest, which was officially open from September 12th to 27th. At 9°8, the potential alcohol level fell within the averages for the decade and it was the high acid balance (8.6 g H2SO4/l total acidity per 2.98 pH) that was the salient characteristic of this vintage, which was preceded by several “warm” vintages. Such acidity in a mature vintage had not been encountered since 1995 and 1996. In another significant occurrence, all three varietals were in perfect health.