WINE OF THE WEEK: Devaux Oeil de Perdrix Champagne Rosé, Champagne, France

£22, Majestic

Champagne doesn’t often pop up as a Wine of the Week, but Devaux's Oeil de Perdrix rosé, would make a great Easter bottle.

It has been a Majestic stalwart for decades and it’s easy to see why. Beyond the bargain price, and the appealing colour that gives it its name 'Partridge Eye' (salmon pink if you haven’t looked into the eye of a partiridge recently), this is a crowd-pleaser.

That’s not to suggest that it won’t satisfy Champagne nuts (I should know), but if you want to wean a Prosecco devotee off their favourite fizz and on to Champagne or to tempt a Crémant drinker to trade up, there's no better place to start.

I should say straightaway that this is not because it’s at the sweeter end of the dry (Brut) spectrum: at 8.6g/l residual sugar, it isn’t. It's because it flows effortlessly across the palate with the prettiest red fruit (think wild strawberry and raspberry), a downy soft texture and orange-scented freshness.

The story behind it is that it's produced by Champagne Devaux (part of Union Auboise) in the Pinot Noir-dominated southern Champagne region of the Côte des Bar and the blend is 80 per cent Pinot Noir, 20 per cent Chardonnay.

Only the coeur de cuvée first press juice is used and it’s partly vinified in oak, then aged for 24 months, which is not particularly long, but well over the required minimum. Importantly, a high proportion of reserve wines is used to add depth and roundness.

While some rosé Champagnes are aimed at food, this is more of an aperitif style – with cheese straws and other nibbles at the ready – but you could also pair it with some prawns, simply cooked salmon or roast chicken.

Devaux Oeil de Perdrix Champagne Rosé, Champagne, France

£22 in any mix of 6 or more bottles, £30 singly, Majestic

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