R. H. Coutier, Champagne Tradition Brut Grand Cru, NV (Base 2021)

Real grower Champagne from Ambonnay, the grand cru village where the Coutier family has farmed since 1619. Antoine Coutier, the fifth generation, keeps production small and works his nine hectares sustainably, bottling only the best fruit himself. This Tradition Brut leads with Ambonnay's prized Pinot Noir rounded out with Chardonnay, a style his grandfather pioneered by being the first in Ambonnay to plant Chardonnay, back in 1948, capturing the richness and depth of the village's chalky soils. Built on the 2021 base, it's classic, balanced, and a genuine value in grand cru bubbles. Pop it for any occasion that deserves the real thing.