Sparkling Wine

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer, writes: Raventós i Blanc De Nit Rosé is a benchmark rosé sparkling wine. The Raventós family’s commitment to biodynamic agriculture serves as the core philosophy of their winemaking. Fine bubbles with a nose of raspberry, red currants, and wild strawberries. Crisp and enticing finish. Serve chilled as an aperitif.

A Spanish sparkling rosé made with biodynamically grown estate grapes in the style of Cava. This Macabeo-driven blend has a pale light pink hue — matched on the palate with an elegant bouquet of pink grapefruit, rose petals, red berry fruits, and lively acidity.

Expert Reviews

Wine & Spirits Magazine — 94 Points | Pepe Raventós adds depth and a touch of color with fruit from Monastrell vines planted in 1974. That addition lays a smoky note and red-fruit hints over a base of Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. Narcissus scents, peach fuzz, and brisk clarity of flavor — its elegance is hard to resist.

Decanter — 91 Points | Simple nose but very pretty red crunchy fruit and mulberries on the palate. Pleasant acidity and excellent length. Very pretty.

• Producer: Raventós i Blanc
• Appellation: Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain
• Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada, Monastrell (1974 vines)
• Farming: Certified biodynamic & organic
• Style: Sparkling Rosé, Brut
• Vintage: 2023
• Format: 750ml

Expert Reviews

Decanter 94 Points | A distinctly red-berry nose – all red currants and small forest fruit. Red Delicious apple has such a telltale Pinot scent. The palate has pure, bright apple fruit, a lemony verve, and a very delicate mousse backed by gently salty autolysis. Vanilla oak comes through, like the custard on an apple crumble, carrying freshness and flavour until the lingering finish.

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | The nonvintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged. It is rich while also showing great freshness from citrus fruit flavors.

James Suckling 93 Points | Complex and smoky nose with orange blossom, green apple, licorice, chalky minerality and toasted bread. Refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity and a tight, tense and clean aftertaste. 65% pinot noir, 32% chardonnay and 3% pinot meunier.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The NV Champagne Reserve Perpetuelle Brut is a bright straw color and is from the 2021 base vintage. Beginning with this release, they have changed the name of this cuvée to better reflect the method of production, which utilizes their perpetual reserve as a key component in the blend, although it’s the same as it’s always been. Made from 66% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, and the rest Meunier, the nose is inviting and pure, with gorgeous red fruits that shine brightly in this release, and while it has intensity, it’s approachable and pretty, with notes of almond, peaches, red berries, and fresh bread. The mousse is elegant and integrates nicely into the wine.

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | A baseline of chalky minerality supports juicy pear and white cherry fruit, lemon peel and pickled ginger alongside rich accents of crystallized honey and biscuit in this sleek and creamy Champagne. Harmonious and finely knit, with good length through the lightly spiced finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Comprising 44% wine from the 2021 vintage and 56% reserve wines held in perpetual reserve, Philipponnat’s NV Réserve Perpétuelle Brut—formerly known as Brut Royale Réserve—opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe peach, red berries, pear and pastry. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, broad-shouldered and textural, delivering a generous, enveloping style energized by racy acidity. While the base vintage is vinified primarily in stainless steel, the reserve wines are stored in oak, and the wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. This bottling was disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of eight grams per liter.

Memo Summary Notes

The Philipponnat Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV represents a significant rebranding of the house's flagship "Royale Réserve." The new name reflects the "perpetual reserve" (solera) system started in 1946, where older wines are refreshed with younger ones to ensure a consistent, complex house style.

Based primarily on the 2021 vintage (with over 50% reserve wines), this Champagne is a Pinot Noir-heavy powerhouse that emphasizes the "vinous" (wine-like) character typical of the Mareuil-sur-Ay terroir.

This is a "gastronomic" Champagne, meaning it has enough body to handle a full meal:

• Seafood: Scallops in butter sauce, lobster, or even grilled oily fish like mackerel.

• Meats: Excellent with white meats such as roasted poultry or premium charcuterie (Prosciutto di Parma).

• Japanese Cuisine: Its acidity and minerality pair exceptionally well with high-quality sushi and sashimi.

  
  

   

Pommery Brut Royal — Champagne NV

Pommery holds a singular place in Champagne history: in 1874, the house introduced the world’s first successful Brut Champagne — a revolutionary departure from the sweet styles that dominated the era. The Brut Royal is the direct heir to that legacy, a perfectly balanced assemblage of equal thirds Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier that has defined the house style for 150 years. Based on the 2018 vintage with reserve wines blended for consistency and complexity, this is a Champagne of vivacity, elegance, and effortless drinkability — earning 92 points from both James Suckling and Decanter.

The color is pale yellow with light green accents. The nose is vivacious and fresh: citrus, white flowers, small berries, verbena, plum, and summer flowers, with lovely shortbread depth. On the palate, it is elegant and vibrant — round and ample, with peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit, and honey, sleek bubbles, and a harmonious, minerally finish that never tires. A lithesome, compulsively drinkable Champagne.

James Suckling 92 — “Peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit and some honey on the nose. Creamy and round with a juicy, peachy palate. Sleek bubbles.”

Decanter 92 — “Seductive nose of verbena, plum and summer flowers. Lovely shortbread depth and buttery richness on the palate with impressive finish.”

Wall Street Journal (Lettie Teague) — “A lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish. A terrific aperitif.”

• Producer: Pommery, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1836 (first Brut Champagne: 1874)
• Vintage: Non-Vintage (base vintage 2018)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: ⅓ Chardonnay, ⅓ Pinot Noir, ⅓ Pinot Meunier
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white flowers, peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit, honey, verbena, plum, sleek bubbles, minerally finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, light appetizers; exceptional as an apéritif

The house that invented Brut Champagne in 1874 — Pommery’s Royal is 150 years of perfection in every glass.

Winemaker Description

Less than 1% Alcohol. Crafted using traditional winemaking techniques "One" undergoes a gentle process to remove alcohol. The resulting delicate wine is light and refreshing with a touch of sweetness and flavors of peach and apple. Vegan. Lower alcohol as compared to its peers. 

Apple, Mineral, Vanilla, Citrus.

Alta Alella Mirgin Gran Reserva is an organically farmed Cava from the Alella DO, just north of Barcelona, crafted from indigenous varieties Mataró and Pansa Blanca. Bottle-aged for a minimum of 30 months on the lees, it is disgorged to order and released immediately — ensuring peak freshness in every bottle. A passion for Cava rewarded with numerous international prizes.

Tasting Notes:
Sight: Fine, persistent bubbles with a pale yellow hue and green highlights.
Nose: White fruit aromas with delicate citrus and green almond notes.
Palate: Light and fresh, with real expression of white fruit. Extended lees aging adds pastry notes, beautifully integrated bubbles, and a delicate, lingering finish.

• Producer: Alta Alella
• Appellation: Cava DO Gran Reserva, Alella, Catalonia, Spain
• Grapes: Mataró, Pansa Blanca
• Style: Brut Nature (zero dosage)
• Aging: 30+ months on lees
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vintage: 2021
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

This Prosecco, boasts a flavor profile guaranteed to delight your palate. With notes of white peach and ripe apple, as well as dog roses and other florals, this white wine is perfectly balanced.

Memo Summary Notes

Fasol Menin "Leonte" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry is the most classic and representative version from this artisanal winery in Valdobbiadene. It is a Prosecco that focuses entirely on the balance between the typical softness of the residual sugar (Extra Dry) and the mineral freshness of the Treviso hills.

Food pairing: It pairs beautifully with finger food, shellfish, legume soups (such as the typical Venetian pasta and bean soup in a lighter version), and fresh cheeses. It's also surprisingly good with not-too-spicy Asian cuisine (sushi and sashimi).

Winemaker Description 

Mionetto’s Prosecco is made from the Glera grape, which is grown in the hills of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand to ensure the highest quality. The wine is then fermented in stainless steel tanks using the Charmat method, which results in a light, refreshing, and effervescent wine.

Winemaker Description 

Bottega Rose Gold is a 100% Pinot Noir Prosecco from Lombardy in Italy. The cool climate and hilly terrain makes the ideal place for sparkling wine production.

On the eye: A salmon pink color with a fine, persistent mousse.
On the nose: Peach and summer berries.
On the palate: Fresh and crisp with floral notes and flavors of strawberry and peach. Fresh and fragrant with sweet peach and summer berries on the nose. 

Excels as an aperitif or with fish and chicken dishes. Also great with fruit desserts.

Winemaker Description

Francesc Ricart Brut is a cava made following its Traditional Method in the most representative area of the DO Cava, which is the region of Penedes and Sant Sadurní d´Anoia.

Expressing aromas of toast, honeycomb, sourdough and nougat. Elegant sparkling wine with an intense flavour of the local varieties and fine texture. Citrus peel and hint of forest floor flavours are supported by the toasted bread. 

A careful selection of the best Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Perellada local varieties and a meticulous winemaking process -the second fermentation and the subsequent ageing take place in the bottle- are the basis of this cava. This cava respects the essence of a traditional brut and it is a fresh and easy-drinking wine.

Mionetto is one of Italy’s most celebrated Prosecco houses, with roots in Valdobbiadene dating back to 1887. This single-serve 187ml bottle delivers everything you love about great Prosecco in a perfectly portable format — ideal for brunches, celebrations, mimosas, or an Aperol Spritz on the go. Light straw in color with bright yellow highlights, it opens with a bouquet of honey, fresh apple, and white peach, leading to a crisp, refreshing palate with lively effervescence and well-balanced acidity.

Food Pairings: Spicy curries, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, burgers, pizza, fresh salads, and light appetizers. The classic choice for mimosas and Aperol Spritz.

Varietal: Glera (Prosecco)
Style: Sparkling Brut
Producer: Mionetto
Region: Veneto, Italy
Serve: Chilled in a champagne flute or white wine glass
Bottle Size: 187ml

Whoopi — Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Biologico 2024

Whoopi Prosecco is produced by Sacchetto, a certified organic estate in the Colli Asolani — the Asolo Hills of the Veneto, a subzone that earned its own Superiore DOCG designation precisely because its hillside vineyards, cooler temperatures, and volcanic soils produce Glera of greater complexity and finesse than the broader Prosecco DOC. This is a limited first edition bottling: 100% organic Glera, farmed without synthetic inputs, and vinified to preserve the grape's natural aromatic freshness. Pale straw yellow in the glass, with a fine, persistent perlage.

The nose is fresh and aromatic — green apple, white peach, wildflowers, and a bright citrus lift. On the palate it is crisp and lively, with ripe pear, citrus, and a touch of honey, perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity. The finish is clean and elegant, with lingering effervescence and subtle fruity notes. This is Prosecco as it should be: light, precise, and genuinely food-friendly.

• Producer: Sacchetto (Whoopi), Colli Asolani, Veneto, Italy
• Appellation: Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG
• Varietal: 100% Glera (certified organic)
• Style: Brut Biologico, sparkling
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, white peach, wildflowers, pear, citrus, honey, elegant finish
• Serve: Well chilled, 6–8°C
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, fresh seafood, shellfish, soft cheeses, light antipasti

Organic Glera from the Asolo hills — Whoopi Prosecco Superiore is the step up from everyday Prosecco that actually tastes like one.

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut — Épernay, Champagne NV

The Grand Brut is the signature non-vintage cuvée of Perrier-Jouët — one of Champagne's most storied houses, founded in 1811 in Épernay. Blended from Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay sourced across the Champagne appellation, this is a wine of effortless elegance and consistent house character. The Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points. Floral, precise, and beautifully balanced, it is one of the most versatile and food-friendly Champagnes at its price point.

The nose opens with oyster shell, smoke, and fleur de sel, leading into poached quince, tangerine sorbet, candied ginger, and brioche. On the palate, the mousse is plush and creamy, with a long, minerally finish that is well-cut and refreshing. James Suckling noted silky texture, apricot pie, lemon curd, and a gentle salinity that lingers beautifully through the close.

Wine Spectator 92 • James Suckling 91 — "A silky Champagne with aromas of apricot pie, shortcrust, croissants, lemon curd and seashells."

• Producer: Perrier-Jouët, Épernay, Champagne, France
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay
• Style: Brut, Non-Dosage
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Oyster shell, fleur de sel, brioche, poached quince, tangerine, candied ginger, lemon curd, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shrimp, fish carpaccio, roasted chicken with lemon and thyme, delicate pastries

A 92-point non-vintage Champagne at an honest price — Perrier-Jouët's Grand Brut is the benchmark for what elegant, food-friendly Champagne can be.

Gramona La Cuvée Aliances — Corpinnat, Catalonia 2022

Gramona is the undisputed standard-bearer of Corpinnat — the prestigious new appellation born from a breakaway group of the finest traditional-method sparkling wine producers in the Penèdes, committed to stricter quality standards, longer aging, and a deeper expression of Catalan terroir. Founded in 1881 in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Gramona has farmed biodynamically for decades and is one of Spain's most respected sparkling wine houses, producing wines that rival the finest Champagnes in complexity and longevity. La Cuvée Aliances is their entry into the Corpinnat range: a traditional-method Brut crafted from the classic indigenous varieties — Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada — grown on certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in the heart of the Penèdes.

The color is pale yellow with steel edges — white gold in the glass. The nose is elegant and medium-intensity: floral notes wrapped in stone fruit — peach and apricot — alongside golden apple, lemon peel, and pineapple. Bakery notes of brioche and almonds add depth, with balsamic hints of fennel and bay leaf giving a distinctive Catalan character. On the palate, it is fresh, precise, and beautifully balanced — fine persistent bubbles, lively acidity, and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

"Pale yellow, steel edges. Elegant floral notes wrapped in stone fruit — peach, apricot, golden apple, lemon peel, pineapple. Notes of bakery, almonds, fennel and bay leaf." — Gramona Winemaker

• Producer: Gramona, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penèdes, Catalonia, Spain
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Corpinnat
• Method: Mètode Tradicional (Traditional Method)
• Varieties: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
• Style: Brut
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, apricot, golden apple, lemon peel, pineapple, brioche, almonds, fennel, bay leaf, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled seafood, sushi, tapas, Manchego, light appetizers, aperitivo

Spain's answer to great Champagne — Gramona La Cuvée Aliances is biodynamic, precise, and one of Corpinnat's most compelling values.

Cavicchioli Lambrusco Dolce — Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Cavicchioli is the benchmark producer of Lambrusco — a family winery based in Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, with over a century of experience crafting Italy’s most beloved sparkling red. The Lambrusco Dolce is their sweet expression: lightly sparkling, brilliantly ruby red, and irresistibly easy to drink. This is the wine of the Emilian table — the one that flows at Sunday lunches alongside prosciutto, mortadella, and tortellini in brodo. Serve it well-chilled and enjoy it without overthinking. Life is too short for serious wine at every meal.

The froth is evanescent with a violet hue and continuous, fine perlage. The color is a brilliant ruby red. The nose is fruity and floral — fresh red berries, a whisper of violets, and a gentle sweetness that is inviting rather than cloying. On the palate, it is sweet and harmonious, lightly sparkling, and refreshingly easy — the bubbles and gentle sweetness make it a natural match for spicy dishes, grilled meats, and summer entertaining. Think of it as Italy’s answer to a cold beer on a hot day.

• Producer: Umberto Cavicchioli & Figli, Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Appellation: Emilia-Romagna IGT
• Varietal: Lambrusco
• Style: Sweet, lightly sparkling red — Lambrusco Dolce
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Fresh red berries, violets, sweet and harmonious, fine persistent bubbles
• Serve: Well-chilled
• Best Paired With: Prosciutto, mortadella, charcuterie, grilled meats, spicy dishes, pizza, casual summer entertaining

Italy’s most fun sparkling red — Cavicchioli Lambrusco Dolce is the wine that makes every meal feel like a celebration.

Delight in the elegance of A Margaine 1er Cru Le Brut NV, a refined Champagne that perfectly balances freshness and finesse. Bursting with vibrant notes of citrus, green apple, and delicate brioche, its fine bubbles and crisp acidity make every sip celebratory. Ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood and light dishes, this NV Champagne embodies the artistry of the Premier Cru vineyards and the house’s dedication to excellence.

Winemaker Description 

Wild Nature wines, symbolise the outmost care and respect for the soil, terroir and the environment where these wines come from. Pioneers in organic farming since 1974, each Wild Nature bottle's label is dedicated to the wildlife inhabiting their estates, located in Venice and Verona provinces, to further stress their effort to maintain a balance ecosystem and respect for plants and wildlife.

Fruity and fragrant Prosecco with hints of golden apple and white flower. Elegant palate with distinctive clean citrus flavours and long lasting fresh.

Winemaker Description 

When Edmond de AYALA founded the House in 1860, he focussed on crafting a champagne with a distinct and recognisable style, known today as AYALA Brut Majeur. A pure and balanced champagne which showcases the diverse personalities of Champagne’s different Terroirs.

Crafted with a unique diversity of crus from Champagne’s vineyard, this cuvée is a multi-cru and multi-vintage blend with Chardonnay as main grape variety.

To preserve this pure style, the House brings its expertise and meticulous approach to the micro-vinification process, always with a minimum of intervention on wines.

Winemaker Description 

Bubbly and lively La Marca Prosecco Rosé was crafted in the heart of Italy. This playful pop of pink offers a new way to enjoy Prosecco: with the bright, crisp fruit and floral essence of our traditional Prosecco combined with the delicate elegance of Pinot Noir.

La Marca Prosecco Rosé boasts classic notes of fresh-picked citrus, honeysuckle, peach and pear, blended beautifully with hints of ripe red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry. Zesty, refreshing, and effervescent, La Marca Prosecco Rosé is perfect for any soirée or spontaneous celebration.

Pair it with salmon and avocado salad, creamy burrata and crusty bread, or juicy fruits like watermelon and cherries for a stylishly simple treat.

La Marca Prosecco Rosé isn’t just for summer—it shines year-round. In cooler months, its bright notes pair beautifully with apple and goat cheese salad, warm baked brie, butternut squash soup, or hearty roasted vegetables, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

VINOUS 93 Points

The NV Extra Brut Rosé ADN de Meunier is a classic-layered and supple with rose petals, mint, dried cherry, mint, spice and orange peel. Assembled with the inclusion of 10% still red Meunier, the Rosé is exquisitely nuanced and super expressive, offering great depth and tons of personality.

Pol Roger — Brut Vintage 2018 | Champagne, France | 750ml

Appellation: Champagne AOC, Épernay, France | Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay | Format: 750ml

One of the great Champagne houses — family-owned, Épernay-based, and fiercely independent since 1849. Pol Roger is the house that Sir Winston Churchill declared his favorite Champagne, drinking it daily and famously quipping that he could not live without it. The house’s hallmarks are finesse, elegance, and a fine, persistent mousse that sets the standard among the Grandes Marques.

The 2018 Brut Vintage is a wine of the sun — a warm, generous harvest that began on August 20th, one of Champagne’s earliest on record. Sourced exclusively from Premier Cru and Grand Cru villages, aged 6 years on the lees, and disgorged in March 2024 with a dosage of 7–8 grams per liter. The result is a Vintage Champagne of remarkable depth, approachability, and cellaring potential through 2035+.

Critical Acclaim

Jeb Dunnuck — 94 Points
“Springy and dewy floral aromas of honeydew melon, fresh flowers, citrus blossoms, and pastry dough. Medium-bodied and inviting, with a refined mousse and a kiss of sunny feel on the finish. All its components move seamlessly through the palate. Drink over the coming 15 or so years.”

James Suckling — 94 Points
“Berry fruit aromas mingling with bread crust, grapefruit and lemon pastries. Lively on the palate with excellent structure and a bright wild-berry character. Clean and nicely focused.”

Vinous — 93 Points
“Absolutely delicious. Floral and citrus notes give the 2018 lovely aromatic lift. A classy, polished Vintage Champagne marked by notable brightness. Airy, elegant and silky in feel.”

Wine Advocate — 93 Points
“Generous and expressive. Pear, peach, orange zest and pastry on the nose. Full-bodied, muscular and textural on the palate with a core of rich, sweet fruit supported by succulent yet vibrant acidity. Long, enveloping finish.”

Wine Spectator — 93 Points
“Sleek, mineral-driven with a lacy mousse and smoky underpinning. Meyer lemon peel acidity driving nectarine, macerated raspberry, saffron and crystallized honey, plus toasted brioche. Long and lively. Drink now through 2035.”

Vinification & Technical Details

• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
• Sourcing: Exclusively Premier Cru & Grand Cru villages
• Aging: 6 years on the lees
• Disgorgement: March 2024
• Dosage: 7–8 g/L
• Drink window: Now through 2035+

Food Pairings

Oysters, lobster, Dover sole, roasted chicken, aged Comté, and foie gras. Also exceptional as an aperitif or celebratory pour.

Riondo | Prosecco DOC | Extra Dry | Veneto, Italy | 187ml Split

Prosecco in its most personal format — a single-serve 187ml split that delivers all the charm of the full bottle without the commitment. Riondo is one of the Veneto’s most reliable Prosecco producers, drawing on Glera grapes from the DOC zone to craft a wine that is effusively fruity, floral, and clean. Extra Dry in Prosecco terms means just a touch of residual sweetness — enough to round out the fruit and soften the bubbles, without tipping into sweet territory. Persistent effervescence, delicate floral notes, and a crystal-clean finish make this the ideal aperitif, celebration pour, or single-glass treat. Perfect for events, gifting, or stocking the fridge for a spontaneous moment worth marking.

• Appellation: Prosecco DOC, Veneto, Italy
• Varietal: Glera
• Style: Extra Dry (lightly off-dry)
• Format: 187ml Split (single serve)
• Method: Charmat (tank method)
• Best For: Aperitivo, events, gifting, single-serve entertaining

Critical Acclaim

Wine Advocate | 90 Points: Effusively fruity, light-bodied offering with terrific floral notes, persistent effervescence, and a clean, delicate finish. Crystal clean and pure — an ideal aperitif. An amazing Prosecco.

Pairing Suggestions

• Aperitivo: Prosciutto, melon, light bruschetta, or fresh fruit.
• Casual: Soft cheeses, smoked salmon blinis, or a simple spritz base.
• Celebration: A festive single-serve pour for toasts, events, or gifting.

Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut NV — Champagne

Laherte Frères is a benchmark grower-producer in Chavot, farming biodynamically and organically across 10 hectares in the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. The Ultradition is their signature cuvée — a multi-vintage blend anchored by old-vine Pinot Meunier, built to express terroir transparency and minimal intervention. Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points, calling it “vivid” and “clean-cut and minerally on the finish.” John Gilman added 92+ points, praising its “superb soil signature, refined mousse, and a very long, complex, dancing finish.” At this price, it is one of the most compelling values in grower Champagne.

The nose opens with white peach, spring flowers, chalky soil tones, gentle smokiness, and a dollop of brioche. On the palate it is full-bodied and extremely elegant — pure, with a fine core, refined mousse, and a long, dancing finish of citrus and mineral. Pinot Meunier at its most expressive.

Wine Spectator 92 • Vinous 92 • John Gilman 92+ — “Pure, full-bodied, and extremely elegant, with a very long, complex and dancing finish.”

• Producer: Laherte Frères, Chavot, Champagne, France
• Style: Brut NV
• Blend: 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Dosage: 6–8 g/L
• Farming: Biodynamic, Organic
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, spring flowers, chalk, brioche, citrus, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, sushi, aged Comté, roast chicken, caviar

A 92-point biodynamic grower Champagne at an honest price — Laherte Frères’ Ultradition is the benchmark for what Pinot Meunier-driven Champagne can be.

Expert Reviews 

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The NV Champagne Brut Rose is an attractive pale salmon hue, with a fresh perfume of wild strawberry, ripe peach, white and red flowers, a hint of tropical fruit, and grapefruit. The palate is rounded, with fruit up front and through the mid-palate, and it has a silky and fresh lift. There is a wonderful ease and drinkability to this wine, which delivers balance and finesse. Best after 2022.

93 Points James Suckling | Attractive salmon color with aromas of dried strawberries and lemons, as well as hints of flowers. Full-bodied with tight tension from the fine phenolics that run through the palate. Hints of white pepper, peaches and sliced green strawberries with some candied lemons, too. Always an excellent bottle. 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 30% pinot meunier. Drink now.

91 Points Decanter | Currently based on the 2016 harvest, this is floral and citrussy, showing a lithe, graceful balance. It’s a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Meunier, with about 40% of reserve wine, and red wine accounts for 7% of the blend. Its delicate, subtly expansive flavours of raspberry and strawberry are enlivened by a tangerine-like acidity, and while it feels ripe and full in flavour on the palate, it never loses its sense of refinement and poise, finishing with detailed length and depth.

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | A fine composition of red fruits and taut citrus, this Champagne is poised and fragrant with acidity and light tannins.

90 Points Wine Spectator | Delicate notes of yellow plum, marzipan, verbena and fleur de sel are set in this firm and finely meshed rosé Champagne. Creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now.

Persistent mousse, with fine bubbles rising slowly. Pale salmon pink in color, with a shade of gold. A nose of red fruits and fresh pear. Delicate fruit on the palate, elegant, and showing great finesse. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

A perfect combination of softness and concentration, matched by a masterful maturity, The 2015 Cristal Brut delivers intense and delicious aromas with a superb energy and a magical vibration.

This is a timeless champagne with a chalky temperament, sustained by its soils, freed from the sunny character of the vintage.The nose begins with hints of yellow fruit, toasted almonds and wheat from the Chardonnay, combined with the juicy red fruit of the Pinot Noir. 

Then comes the great surge of energy from the wine's structure, a vibratory intensity that transforms into a gentle caress, a silky texture interwoven with fine flavors of candied citrus and iodized spices.The vintage's chalky character thus bursts forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise and finely honed freshness.

The finish is underpinned by subtle oaky, sappy and saline notes, which creates the ultimate sensation of delicacy and concentration.Cristal 2015 remains a wine of supreme balance and measure, resonating from the chalky nature of its soils rather than the sunny character of its vintage.

A perfect Cristal, intensely of the 2015 vintage, with enormous ageing potential.

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 97 Points | The warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne. Cristal fans will love this as it is, but a year or two more in the bottle will do a lot for the very long mineral finish of this youthful masterpiece. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, picked from all 45 Cristal vineyard plots. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023.

96 Points Wine Spectator | This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | I had the opportunity to taste the 2015 Champagne Cristal twice, both at the house in Reims as well as at my home office. On both occasions, the wine offered a terrific balance of decadence and notable freshness for this vintage, which was highly expressive on opening. The release reveals layered custardy notes of lemon balm, incense, apricot, and hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is fluffy and rounded out beautifully through the palate. Round and approachable, it has a well-managed richness along with underlying savory sapidity and saline to keep this going over the coming three or more decades, with a chalky tannin structure to support it.

95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate | If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985.

95 Points Decanter | An open and inviting nose references cream, oatmeal and Amalfi lemon with the slightest edge of smoke. The palate immediately strikes with a mouthwatering lemon ripeness and a juicy, mouthfilling generosity reminiscent of yellow plum. It stays true to the trademark sleekness of Cristal and speaks of the concentration of 2015. Fine mousse accentuates the fullness and roundness of the wine while the long finish hints at chalky depth which, for now, is dominated by ripe stone fruit and more of that textured, rich notion of oatmeal. Definitely a Cristal to enjoy soon.

About La Grande Dame Jacquemus Artist Series

La Grande Dame 2018 Artist Series by Jacquemus is a stunning collaboration between two icons of French elegance — Veuve Clicquot and the celebrated fashion house Jacquemus. This limited-edition bottle features exclusive artwork by Jacquemus, making it as visually striking as it is exceptional in the glass. La Grande Dame has been Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée since its inauguration in 1972, crafted only in the finest vintages from eight Grands Crus of Champagne.

Tasting Notes

The 2018 vintage delivers a beautifully balanced expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Expect aromas of ripe stone fruit, brioche, and toasted hazelnuts, with a creamy, full-bodied palate of peach, citrus zest, and subtle minerality. Elegant and long-finishing with exceptional structure and aging potential.

Food Pairings

Perfect with lobster, scallops, foie gras, aged Comté, and fine charcuterie. An exceptional celebratory Champagne for milestone occasions.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2018
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Style: Brut Vintage Champagne
Edition: Artist Series — Jacquemus Limited Edition

Winemaker Description

Champagne Palmer & Co concentrates its vineyard holdings in the Montagne de Reims: in the grand cru villages of Mailly and Verzenay and the premier cru villages of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. While they also have holdings in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar, their prestige cuvée Grands Terroirs, channels those north- and north-east-facing slopes with power and precision.

The 2015 vintage is blended from 50% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Meunier, sourced from Mailly and Verzenay as well as Trépail, Villers-Marmery, Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Palmer & Co refers to the vintage as “exceptional” because it combined high temperatures and little rainfall – spelling little disease pressure and even ripening. Sunny days and cool nights in August, they say, allowed for “perfect” ripening.

The nose, subtle and charming, opens with notes of orange blossom and acacia, mixed with notes of yellow fruits, then it evolves towards lovely and delicately spiced aromas of fried pineapple and tonka bean. The palate is characterized by freshness, with citrus fruits sublimating the notes of brioche and dried fruits. Its creamy texture stretches deliciously into a persistent finish. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Markedly youthful in its smoky reduction, this wine sees its sulfur blow off quickly, leaving a flinty scent and an impression of clarity. It’s bright with pretty scents of black tea and herbs, firmed up by strong acidity.

92 Points James Suckling | A chalky and mineral Champagne with aromas of blanched almonds, chalk, seashells, biscuits, lemon pith and dried apples. Creamy mousse. Dry and bright, with a rounded finish. Drink now or hold.

Famiglia Carafoli L’Onesta Lambrusco di Sorbara — Emilia-Romagna NV

Famiglia Carafoli is a third-generation family estate based in Modena, the heartland of authentic Lambrusco. Under the stewardship of Carlo, Paolo, and Mario Carafoli, the domaine has remained committed to the traditional, dry style of Lambrusco di Sorbara — a far cry from the sweet, mass-market versions that defined the category for decades. L’Onesta (“The Honest One”) blends Sorbara, Salamino, Marani, and Grasparossa grapes into a bright, dry sparkling red of genuine character and refreshing precision. At this price, it is one of the most exciting values in Italian sparkling wine.

The nose is fragrant and inviting: violets, fresh red berries, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is light-bodied with lively, fine bubbles, refreshing acidity, and a crisp, dry finish that is clean and moreish. This is Lambrusco as it was always meant to be — honest, food-friendly, and impossible to put down.

67 Wine — “L’Onesta is the real deal: dry, bright, and violet-scented, with the kind of refreshing acidity that makes every bite of prosciutto taste better.”

• Producer: Famiglia Carafoli, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Blend: Sorbara, Salamino, Marani, Grasparossa
• Style: Dry (Secco)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Violets, fresh red berries, floral notes, fine bubbles, crisp dry finish
• Best Paired With: Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, tagliatelle al ragù, charcuterie, pizza

Honest, dry, and irresistibly food-friendly — Famiglia Carafoli’s L’Onesta is the Lambrusco that converts skeptics.

Gramona Imperial — Corpinnat, Catalonia 2018

Gramona is the crown jewel of Corpinnat — the prestigious breakaway appellation of the Penèdes committed to the highest standards of traditional-method sparkling wine production in Spain. Founded in 1881 and farming biodynamically for decades, Gramona produces wines of extraordinary depth, precision, and longevity that stand comfortably alongside the finest Champagnes in the world. The Imperial is Gramona's flagship expression: a vintage-dated Brut aged on the lees for a minimum of five years, crafted from a blend of the great indigenous Catalan varieties led by Xarel·lo. The 2018 vintage is particularly notable — a cooler, wetter year that produced a wine of exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure, with the kind of calibrated acidity that will reward further cellaring.

The bouquet is elegant and complex after 60 months on the lees: lime and lemon pie lead, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs, brioche, and a subtle autolytic creaminess. On the palate, it is dry and creamy with an ethereal, flowing texture enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, with a long, mineral-driven finish — this is sparkling wine of genuine distinction.

🏆 Vinous 91 Points — "The bouquet features aromas of lime and lemon pie, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs. Dry and creamy on the palate, the ethereal flow is enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, this sparkling wine is a delight."

• Producer: Gramona, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penèdes, Catalonia, Spain
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Corpinnat
• Method: Mètode Tradicional (Traditional Method)
• Blend: 56% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, 10% Parellada, 4% Chardonnay
• Aging: 60 months on the lees
• Style: Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Vintage Note: Cooler, wetter year — exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure
• Tasting Notes: Lime, lemon pie, fine herbs, brioche, creamy texture, calibrated acidity, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled monkfish, scallops, lobster, roast poultry, Ibérico ham, mature Manchego, Comté

Five years on the lees, one of Spain's greatest sparkling wine houses — Gramona Imperial 2018 is a Corpinnat benchmark of rare elegance and freshness.

Winemaker Description

The Cava Brut by Elvi is a highly drinkable sparkling wine made from grapes grown in Spain's fertile wine regions. The coloring is very light, and nearly translucent with a straw coloring and some greenness. The bubbles are nice and prominent, both pleasurable to the eye and mouth.

The aroma is complex, with many different notes. A touch of fruit, a touch of yeast, and a touch of almond swirl around in the nose. The texture feels nice in the mouth with lighter acids that fall away at the end and a shorter aftertaste. Very enjoyable and easy to drink.

About L’Arbre

L’Arbre is Vincent Cuillier’s most personal wine — a single-parcel Champagne from Les Voyets, the family’s most historic vineyard in the Marne village of Pouillon. The name “L’Arbre” (The Tree) is a direct nod to Cuillier’s extensive work planting trees and cultivating biodiversity across the estate through natural viticulture and vitiforestry.

Made exclusively as a zero-dosage vintage Champagne from 100% Pinot Meunier, this is a wine of remarkable depth and precision — a testament to Cuillier’s deft hand in both the vines and the cellar.

Tasting Notes

Plump, forward berry fruit — red cherry, wild strawberry, and a hint of brioche — kept in elegant check by crisp acidity and fine, complex mineral-driven lines. The zero dosage reveals the wine’s true character: pure, taut, and long on the finish. A Blanc de Noirs of genuine cellar-worthiness.

In the Cellar

Indigenous yeast fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, followed by a full year of tank aging. This vintage cuvée spends the requisite 36 months sur lattes before being hand-disgorged with zero dosage. No fining, no filtration.

Food Pairings

• Oysters, sea urchin, and raw shellfish
• Charcuterie, aged ham, and mushroom dishes
• Soft-ripened cheeses (Brie, Camembert)
• Roasted chicken or guinea fowl

About Vincent Cuillier

Vincent Cuillier is a grower-producer based in Pouillon in the Marne Valley, farming his family’s historic parcels with a deep commitment to natural viticulture and vitiforestry — an approach that integrates trees and biodiversity into the vineyard ecosystem. His wines are made with minimal intervention: indigenous fermentations, no fining or filtration, and zero dosage across the range. L’Arbre represents the pinnacle of his work.

Product Details

• Producer: Vincent Cuillier
• Cuvée: L’Arbre Blanc de Noirs
• Style: Brut Nature (Zero Dosage)
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Meunier
• Vintage: 2022 (Disgorged)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Village: Pouillon, Marne, France
• Parcel: Les Voyets
• Farming: Natural viticulture / Vitiforestry
• Vinification: Indigenous yeast, stainless steel, 36 months sur lattes, hand-disgorged
• Dosage: Zero (Brut Nature)
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Closure: Cork & Cage

• Practicing organic
• 90% Pinot Noir (15% vin rouge), 10% Chardonnay
• 50% 2022, 50% 2021-2020
• From Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru and Villers-Allerands 1er Cru
• Clay and limestone
• 35+ year old vines
• No malo
• Fermented and aged in large foudre
• Aged 30+ months on the lees
• Dosage: 8g/L

• The Wine Advocate by William Kelley writes 92 Points |

  Generous and expressive, the latest rendition of Vilmart's NV Brut Premier Cru Cuvée Rubis is showing very well, bursting with aromas of red berries, plums, blood orange and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a sapid core of fruit, a pillowy mousse and a lively, delicately phenolic finish, it's already drinking well. This is based on the 2017 vintage, with reserve wines from the 2016 and 2015 vintages, and it was disgorged with nine grams per liter dosage.

• The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fine and harmonious, this is lightly chalky and refined in texture, showing pinpoint integration of its well-spiced range of pureed raspberry, blood orange granita, lime peel, biscuit and mineral notes and its spine of chiseled acidity. Concentrated yet ethereal. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2024. Drink now through 2030.
• Allen Meadows Burghound 91 Points | Medium ruby color. The moderately fruity nose is composed of raspberry, cherry, strawberry and lovely yeast, apple and citrus peel whiffs. The delicious and super-yeasty flavors possess fine depth on the clean and relatively dry finish, indeed this is notably drier than what is typical for the genre. Lovely and this is a wine that could be enjoyed now or held for a few years first.
• Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The NV Cuvée Rubis is vibrant pink, with aromas of wildflowers, wild raspberry, and juicy fruit. The palate is juicy and round, with blood orange, and perfect for relatively near-term drinking over the next 6-8 years.

Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice Rosato 2023 — Emilia-Romagna

Alberto Paltrinieri is the standard-bearer for Lambrusco di Sorbara, farming the sandy alluvial soils of the Po Valley with a focus on the native Sorbara grape — one of Italy’s most distinctive and food-friendly varieties. The Radice (“root”) is his single-vineyard flagship, sourced from old vines planted on the estate’s deepest soils. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 95 points, calling it “radiant” and “loaded with energy.” Bone-dry, focused, and built for the table, it is one of the most exciting values in Italian sparkling wine.

The nose is vivid and aromatic: woodland berry, violet, and botanical herb. On the palate it is bone-dry and energetic — strawberry, pomegranate, fennel, and a hint of citrus zest, carried by bright acidity and softly foaming bubbles that lend polish and finesse.

Wine Enthusiast 95 — “Bone-dry, focused and loaded with energy.”

• Producer: Paltrinieri, Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
• Varietal: Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Style: Rosato, bone-dry, lightly sparkling
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Woodland berry, violet, strawberry, pomegranate, fennel, citrus zest
• Best Paired With: Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, fried foods, pizza, charcuterie, light pasta

A 95-point bone-dry Lambrusco at an honest price — Paltrinieri’s Radice is the benchmark for what Sorbara can be.

Alfred Gratien Champagne Classic Brut — Champagne, France NV

Alfred Gratien is one of Champagne's most principled and independent houses — still fermenting in small oak casks, still hand-riddling, still refusing shortcuts. Their Classic Brut is the house's calling card: a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier, based on the 2015 harvest, crafted for depth, texture, and longevity. Both James Suckling and Wine Spectator awarded it 93 points. At $59.99, it is one of the most compelling values in serious Champagne.

The nose is moderately intense and complex: sweet pastry, biscuit, dried apple, orchard fruit, citrus, white flowers, and fresh butter. On the palate, the texture is silky and layered — ripe yellow peach, raspberry, chopped hazelnut, pickled ginger, and preserved lemon, all framed by chiseled acidity and a satiny mousse. A chalky minerality runs through the wine from start to finish. The finish is crisp, long (6–8 seconds), and beautifully balanced — with a pleasing sugar component that never tips into sweetness.

James Suckling 93 — "Fantastic NV Champagne with a fine, creamy texture of small barrels and a deep, layered palate... Tangy. Layered and powerful, yet fresh."

Wine Spectator 93 — "Finely meshed and mouthwatering, with a satiny mousse and creamy finish."

• Producer: Alfred Gratien, Épernay, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier
• Base Vintage: 2015
• Style: Brut, Non-Vintage
• Vinification: Small oak cask fermentation, hand-riddled
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Brioche, dried apple, orchard fruit, peach, raspberry, hazelnut, chalky mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold
• Best Paired With: Oysters, roast chicken, aged Comté, smoked salmon, mushroom risotto

A dual 93-point Champagne from one of the region's most uncompromising houses — Alfred Gratien Classic Brut is the benchmark for what independent Champagne can be.

Winemaker Description

From the province of Treviso — one of Italy’s most celebrated Prosecco zones — this Brut Prosecco pours a luminous straw yellow with an emphatic yet elegant mousse. The bouquet is redolent of golden apple, while the palate delivers appealing notes of golden apple, white peach and honey with a clean, refreshing finish.

Food Pairings

• Antipasti, bruschetta, or light appetizers
• Fresh seafood, sushi, or oysters
• Soft cheeses and fruit
• Perfect as an aperitivo or celebratory pour

Product Details

• Producer: Mionetto
• Appellation: Prosecco DOC Treviso, Veneto, Italy
• Style: Brut Sparkling
• Format: 375ml Half Bottle

Expert Reviews 

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | The fine and creamy bead of this elegant rosé carries an attractive mix of white cherry, peach, blood orange granita and biscuit flavors, enlivened by a firm frame of mouthwatering acidity.

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 90 Points | The NV Champagne Grand Brut Rosé pours a medium salmon hue and is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (8% of which is red wine). It is juicy with ripe raspberry, crushed flowers, and sweet citrus. The palate is ripe with apricot, sweet tangerine, and a soft texture. It is ready to drink now or over the next 6-8 years.

Winemaker Description 

This Grand Rosé has a high percentage of Chardonnay, which creates freshness and precision, complemented by Pinot Noir with delivers very fine and crunchy fruit. With 4 years minimum ageing in the cellars, this Rosé balances between freshness and fruit without masking the wine’s character and purity. The nose reveals aromas of citrus and strawberries with subtle notes of red berries and spice. The palate is well-built with a constant balance between the tension of the acidity and the smoothness of the fruit, while the finish shows a nice roundness and lovely minerality.