Pinot Meunier, Champagne, France

Christophe Mignon’s unique approach to viticulture, affectionately called the Mignon Method, goes further than biodynamics to include phytotherapy, homeopathy and geobiology, all guided by the lunar cycle. “The moon for a vigneron is like a metronome for a musician,” he says, probably gazing wistfully at the moon with all the wide-eyed sincerity of dreamers who just dream, you know? He employs just one person per hectare, an ambitious and costly ratio that results in low yields of exceptionally high quality fruit. Made of two vintages from two vineyards, the oft-overlooked Meunier grape steps into the spotlight, each plot vinified separately with 5 months on the lees before blending followed by 2 years in bottle and finished without dosage. Incredibly moving & impossibly gorgeous, this is a titan amongst mortals, rich and decadent with notes of burnt honey, white lilac, caramel flan & salted caramel. This is the reason & the season for a croquembouche, shimmering in spun gold.