A. Chauvet N.V. Champagne Brut Carte Blanche Brut, Tours-sur-Marne

Carte Blanche Chauvet demonstrates the skill of the house beautifully. Harmonious, floral with touches of baked bread, it is a masterful blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offering red raspberry and earthy notes from the Pinot Noir, and delicacy, freshness and citric apple-pear flavors from the Chardonnay. Serve with seafood, shellfish, egg dishes, popcorn, potato chips, fried chicken.

The Paillard-Chauvet brothers, Jean-Francois and Arnaud, handle the daily operations and winemaking duties. They are directly related to some of the most famous winemakers in Champagne, included Gosset and Pierre and Bruno Paillard. The Chauvet house itself dates back to 1848, and continue to make their champagnes in the traditional styles. The family sustainably farms 10 hectares of vineyards in 5 of the Montagne de Reims 17 Grands Crus, leading to great complexity in the final champagnes.