With Valentine's Day just a week away, we've got a terrific offer going on three fabulous Grower Champagnes. What is Grower Champagne, and why should you choose it over bigger-name bubbles? I'll explain WHAT they are first. These are wines that are made and bottled by the same individuals who grew the grapes. They are quite different from the mass-produced, commercial bubblies made by the larger Champagne houses, which almost always rely on grapes grown by hundreds of farmers throughout the region.
The reason WHY you should be drinking them is because they taste better and they cost less! We champion "Farmer Fizz" because the wines express more terroir character and have more individual personalities, as the grapes that go into these wines come from just one place. Beyond that, these small growers spend little to no money on marketing or advertising, relying on indie wine shops (like us) and restaurants to spread the good word for them. At the end of the day, we think you should pay for wine-in-bottle, not full-page ads in magazines or commercials on TV.
1. Champagne Bourdaire-Gallois Tradition Extra Brut
One of the most singular and unique Champagnes in the store!
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It is rare to see 100% Pinot Meunier-driven Champagnes, but David Bourdraire is a master of the variety. Traditionally, the grape has been used more for blending, but a newer generation of producers is championing the variety. David Bourdaire is among that group, and the later-budding Pinot Meunier does especially well in his vineyards, in the far northern reaches of Champagne. Bottled with a dosage of zero grams of sugar, this bone-dry bubbly excites the palate with notes of zesty red berries, citrus, sea salt, and almond.
2. Champagne Jose Michel Brut Tradition
Legendary champion of Pinot Meunier with a cult following!
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Jose Michel was one of the early champions of Pinot Meunier, and his wines enjoy a cult following worldwide. He passed away in 2019, but his grandson Antonin is very capably running this Moussy-based estate, just south of Epernay. Michel's Brut Tradition is fermented in older oak casks, and the blend here is 70% Pinot Meunier grown in clay soils, and 30% Chardonnay grown in limestone-rich soils. The resulting wine is smooth, weighty, and classic on the palate, offering up a nice mix of citrus and orchard fruits, finishing with a hit of citrus zest and mineral.
3. Champagne Thierry Triolet Rose Brut
Ethereal, vivid, and highly aromatic rose bubbles. Delightful!!
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Last but not least, Triolet's Brut Rose tastes just as good as it looks. 85% Chardonnay and 15% still Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this is what Lynn and I will be toasting the new year with. The appearance of this wine is a beautiful, vivid orange/pink, and this offers up a highly aromatic bouquet of fresh strawberry, cherry, rose oil, rhubarb, and buttery brioche. Finishing smooth and silky, that floral note lingers on the finish.
There you go folks, drink small grower bubbles, drink better, and save money! Team Table Wine hopes we can add to the love in the air for you and yours this Valentine's Day. Cheers!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville