Yountville-based Chandon was launched by the prestigious Champagne house Moët et Chandon in 1973. The domaine made history as the first French-owned sparkling winery in America’s renown Napa Valley.

Lhote, who grew up on a farm in Champagne, decided at age 14 that she wanted to be a winemaker. While earning an oenology degree in Reims, she interned with Moët & Chandon and gained experience making rosé sparkling wines, including the celebrated Dom Pérignon Rosé. In 2006, when she was 23, she interned at Chandon in Napa, decided to stay and in 10 years became its director of winemaking. In this role, she leads Chandon’s winemaking team, which is entirely female. And as Chandon celebrates its 50 anniversary this year, Lhote is marking her 17th harvest at the winery.

Although Chandon produces a variety of sparkling wines, Lhote commented that the sparkling rosé, which is reviewed below, is one of her favorites to make.

“I am very partial to rosé … it’s the wine I specialized in during my first-ever internship back in Champagne, France, and it’s been a love throughout my career,” she said.

Chandon Brut Rosé, CaliforniaBought • Schnucks, 8650 Big Bend Boulevard, in April for $21.99

Description • Lhote’s aim with this wine was to create a light and fresh sparkling rosé, so she used a blend that was predominately chardonnay with just a touch of pinot noir and meunier, rather than the other way around. The result is a beautiful salmon pink wine with pinpoint bubbles made through the same method used to produce real French Champagne. Elegant and refreshing, this is a vibrant wine that tastes of juicy strawberries, cherries and a bit of watermelon. It can be enjoyed on its own or a pair with just about anything.

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