Chardonnay, Champagne, France

This sophisticated grower Champagne comes from Pascal Agrapart, a fourth-generation vigneron at Agrapart & Fils. Established in 1894, the Domaine is certified organic and tends some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in the region, the vast majority being Grand Cru. This is his brightest, most mineral-driven cuvée, a single-vintage blend of two parcels planted on pure chalk – Les Champboutons in Avize and Les Bionnes in Cramant – aged for six years, disgorged and then bottled without fining or filtration. This shimmering, lithe sparkling wine seems distilled from the stars themselves –honey-poached pear, oyster shell, vanilla snap biscuit & tart green apple in a sharp & sleek pantsuit with narrow, intimidating sunglasses. Singular and uncompromising, this drinks like reaching the summit of Everest, a breath of icy fresh mountain air to toast triumphs and tribulations alike.