When the inaugural event of La Nuit en Rosé — the world’s first Food & Wine Festival dedicated to Rosé Wine and Rosé Champagne — went off with a bang in New York City in June 2014, founder Pierrick Bouquet knew he had started a wine revolution. Selling out the event to more than 2,000 attendees, he decided to take the festival on tour to some of the United States’ most luxurious cities; Miami included.
Kicking off 2015 with Miami’s very first La Nuit en Rosé, at the equally new and posh Miami Beach EDITION, Mr. Bouquet made this soirée one to remember. Featuring over 85 rosé wine labels from 60 wineries in 10 countries — like Vie Vité, 83 rue St Tropez, Wines of Navarra and Champagne Pommery — La Nuit en Rosé celebrated all that is the lavish side of life. Starting with a VIP Rosé Wine Pairing Dinner by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the weekend continued with 24 hours of daytime and evening tastings, a VIP dinner catered by Jean-Georges Matador Room at La Vista Terrace, and much more. Designed to attract Miami’s finest, sommeliers and chefs from the Magic City’s most notable restaurants — like Zuma, Mr. Chow, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill and the Biltmore Hotel, to name a few — also participated.
Given the inaugural festival’s immense success, we caught up with Mr. Bouquet immediately following the event to find out what inspired La Nuit en Rosé, and of course, why he chose to celebrate rosé right here in Miami.
What inspired you to start “La Nuit en Rosé?”
“I wanted to come up with a wine festival that is different from any other. In this case, you go to “La Nuit en Rosé” not just to taste rosé, but to live the rosé lifestyle — i.e., the best of summer, the beach, seafood, music, dancing and travel!”
Why do you think rosé wines and champagnes are so special?
“They are affordable, they can be paired with almost any type of food and they are pretty. Pink is a very attractive and romantic color.”
Why did you pick Miami as another location for La Nuit en Rosé?
“Miami’s lifestyle is the La Nuit en Rosé lifestyle. There is ‘sun and fun’ 365 days a year!”
What’s your favorite rose wine or champagne? What do you pair it with?
“I love a light rosé from Provence, such as Château Sainte Marguerite. I can pair it with almost anything, but my favorite pairings are oysters, clams or shrimp.”
What qualities make a great rose so delicious?
“Its freshness, its summery fruit aromas — like peach, apricot, and sometimes, even pineapple — and its light, coral color.”
Why was the EDITION the right location for this year’s event?
“The EDITION Miami Beach has a minimalist, but hip vibe that is synonymous with rosé lovers’ rosé lifestyle.”
What was your favorite event from the weekend? Why?
“Saturday evening — La Nuit en Rosé, which means ‘The Pink Night,’ really reveals itself at night, with a sexy atmosphere and lots of dancing.”
How do you define “luxury?”
“Luxury is the rosé lifestyle. It’s the ability to enjoy drinking rosé all year long, all while traveling all over the world.”
Will La Nuit en Rosé come to Miami again?
“Yes, we are definitely coming back next year — with more rosé, and of course, new surprises!”
For more information about La Nuit en Rosé, click here. The Miami Beach EDITION is located at 2901 Collins Avenue.
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