Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot Vrigny Coteaux Champenois Rosé 2020 (Still)

Location: France, Champagne, Montagne de Reims, Vrigny

Winemaker: Dominique Lelarge & Dominique Pugeot

Grapes: Pinot Meunier

Soil: clay, sandy loam

Winemaking: Meunier is destemmed, left on the skin for 30 hours then bled off into used barrels. Aged 10 months in used barrels.

From the Importer Super Glou: This zero-zero Coteaux Champenois Rosé is the family’s first ever attempt at making a still rosé made exclusively Meunier. The Meunier is from two parcels with tiny concentrated clusters, which create highly aromatic Meunier grapes that evoke delightful and surprising notes of high-toned red fruit, watermelon, pomegranate, tarragon, and salinity.

Lelarge-Pugeot is an eighth-generation winery in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny on the rolling slopes of the Montagne de Reims (about 15 minutes west of Reims). It is a real family operation, helmed by the two parents, Dominique and Dominique, and supported by their kids, one of whom is our good friend Clémence.

The family’s 8.7 hectares of vineyards, which are planted mostly with Pinot Meunier, face northward, offering some protection from the effects of global wiwarming, though Clémence is quick to note that they can now make red wines for the first time in the history of Champagne. The domaine, which has been certified organic since 2014 and Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2017, is comprised of 42 distinct parcels where Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are grown at elevations of 400 ft.

The wines of Lelarge-Pugeot are bright and full of pizzazz, and the family is producing some electric juice—including Nature et Non Dosé, their no sulfur/no dosage cuvée. Truly remarkable fizz all around.