Domaine Gilles & Romain Collet Cremant de Bourgogne NV

If you’re anything like us, you already know and love Chablis. In this case, the wine is expertly developed by the young superstar that is Romain Collet, alongside his father and notorious one-man-show, Gilles. It all began in 2012, when an American importer asked, “If you were to make a sparkling wine, a Crémant for Chablis, what would you want it to be?" Gilles replied, "Mineralité, fresh fruit, and not too gassy." Romain added, "Rich fruit, yet also nervy with completely natural acidity. We must not acidify." And what a job well done, indeed!

The wine is made in the Méthode Champenoise, estate grown, and given a full two years on the lees, with pristine Chardonnay fruit from a series of exceptional lieu dits raised in the flinty, chalky, pure electric soils of Chablis. Does it get any better than that? This is super cool, extra rare, and eminently quaffable Crémant de Bourgogne that will surprise and thrill you in all sorts of ways.

Fermented in stainless steel, then aged for 24 months in the bottle on the lees, and finished with a Brut-level dosage – it drinks exactly like you think it would: top-notch flinty, zippy Chardonnay with delicate, fine bubbles adding even more tension and liveliness. Supremely tantalizing, with loads of lemony, green apple-flecked, chalky deliciousness. But then there’s this nutty hazelnut skin aspect, and a rich, spiced berry note – mulberries, cranberries, orange zest, and clove. Plus, the bright acidity of Chablis keeps it crisp, dry, and angular. If you ask us, fried chicken is the winning pairing here, but sprinkle it with a little rosemary salt to make it fancy. For only $27, this will absolutely outperform plenty of $50-plus Champagnes, no contest. Best served in a wide Burgundy bowl, and really, truly delicious with food. With 95 points, this is a Crémant to bring home in great quantities!