It’s no secret that we at AOC Selections are big fans of Champagne. We drink it in good times and bad, with fried chicken, alone, at bottle shares, on the beach… Champagne is always a good idea. Because of this, we are always hunting for the latest and greatest bubbles, in terms of both quality and value! And we have a great find for you today: Lelarge-Pugeot is an eight generation winery in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny, located in the Montagne de Reims. In a region known for its stellar sparkling based on Pinot Noir, Lelarge-Pugeot actually focuses on Pinot Meunier, although they do also work with some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well. What really makes them stand out are their viticultural practices: there are over 2000 producers in Champagne, and they are one of only twenty-five that are crafting organic and biodynamic wines. Lelarge-Pugeot believes that natural processes make the best wines, with the end goal being wines that are vibrant, safe to consume, and full of life. In order to achieve these goals they nurture their soils with essential oils, plant infusions, and natural compost. The care for the earth and the vines shows itself in the quality of the wines, which are full of life and pizzaz. And we actually have an extra special wine of theirs on offer for today: a rare Coteaux Champenois. There are only two still wine appellations in all of Champagne, and the production from both is miniscule. This was actually my first time ever having a Coteaux Champenois and it was a very cool experience! The wine is rich, textured, made from 100% Chardonnay with a little skin-contact, lending an herbaceous undertone to the tart fruit and minerality. It is made with zero sulfur and undergoes natural fermentation, which shows itself with just a little bit of funk, but done in such a way that it adds complexity and interest to the wine. And at only 260 total bottles of this wine produced, it’s not one that is likely to cross our paths again anytime soon.