Champagne Dourdon Veillard 'La Réserve de Germain'

A friend who once tasted this champagne said: "This is a very champagn-y champagne." And I said: "Isn't that the whole point?" In a world of overpriced, underwhelming bubbles, this is the real deal. It’s what champagne is supposed to be.

The Dourdon family has been doing this since 1812, but it’s Fabienne running the show now. She left a marketing career to take over the vines, which is exactly the kind of plot twist we can get behind. This cuvée is their extra brut secret weapon—a crisp, sharp blend of Chardonnay (80%!) and Pinot Noir that tastes like biting into a granny smith apple with one hand and holding a warm, freshly baked brioche with the other. It’s all crisp acidity, green apple, and a finish that has a sneaky, satisfying hint of liquorice.

We won't dare tell you what to eat with it. You know what to do with it.