Kevin has 3 Grower Champagnes. What the heck are grower Champagnes?
There are plenty of things to celebrate: springtime is here; Easter is almost upon us; and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Plus, if you’re reading this it means you’ve made it through the past few years with enough steam in the engine to check your email. I’d say it’s time for some bubbly.
In our pursuit to find you the best wines you’ve never heard of, we bring you these beautiful grower Champagnes. Remember: You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy Champagne. Celebrate the small stuff too!
Grower Champagne is a type of Champagne in which the winemaker cultivates the vineyards, harvests the fruit, and produces the wines with his/her own hands. The vast majority of Champagne is made by large houses like Moët et Chandon and Krug – only about 5% of Champagne imported into the U.S. is considered grower Champagne. These big houses rely on dozens of farmers across the region to supply them with enough fruit to produce such high volumes of Champagne. Conversely, grower Champagne is made in much smaller volumes that can flaunt the terroir of each farm – each year’s output of a grower Champagne varies slightly from the one before due to differences in the terroir from season to season.
PHILIPPE FONTAINE PRESTIGE
40% Pinot Blanc, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Spectacular, robust and super-deep grower Champagne. Rich and yeasty and aromatic. Herbal and so good. Sustainably farmed.
$49.99/bottle
PHILIPPE FONTAINE ROSÉ de SAIGNÉE
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier
Completely different from the typical pink Champagne. Tons of body with smoky, dry finish. Big enough to hold up to a steak. Sustainably farmed.
$49.99/bottle
PHILIPPE FONTAINE 2016 CUVÉE des LYS MILLÉSIME
100% Pinot Blanc
This one is for the wine nerds. Vintage-dated 100% Pinot Blanc, super-rare and super-delicious. This would enhance pretty much everything. Treat yourself!
$69.99/bottle
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(Order online if you’d rather not come into the shop. We’ll have your order ready within an hour, we’ll bring it out to you, and you’ll be on your way.)
(You must be 21 to purchase or pick up wine — please have your ID ready.)
