Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot "Tradition Brut Nature" Champagne, France NV

FROM SUPERGLOU:

THE WINE: This entry-level stunner features a meunier-dominant blend to highlight the power and finesse of the domaine’s leading grape, the underappreciated pinot meunier. This cuvée is the platonic ideal of growers’ champagne - one that seamlessly weaves the minerality in the soils with the delicate aromas of grapes from a blend of 30 parcels within Vrigny. A true reflection of the Vrigny terroir.

THE PRODUCER: Lelarge-Pugeot is an eighth-generation winery in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny on the rolling slopes of the Montagne de Reims (about 15 minutes west of Reims). It is a real family operation, helmed by the two parents, Dominique and Dominique, and supported by their kids, one of whom is our good friend Clémence.

The family’s 8.7 hectares of vineyards, which are planted mostly with Pinot Meunier, face northward, offering some protection from the effects of global wiwarming, though Clémence is quick to note that they can now make red wines for the first time in the history of Champagne. The domaine, which has been certified organic since 2014 and Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2017, is comprised of 42 distinct parcels where Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are grown at elevations of 400 ft.

The wines of Lelarge-Pugeot are bright and full of pizzazz, and the family is producing some electric juice—including Nature et Non Dosé, their no sulfur/no dosage cuvée. Truly remarkable fizz all around; Prince Charles would agree.