Veuve Doussot Champagne Brut Selection NV

The Joly family has been growing vines in the heart of the Champagne’s Côte-des-Bar region for over a century. We delved a bit into the history, but mostly we drained this bottle in record time and immediately reached out to buy every bottle we could. Under $30 for Grower Champagne always gets our hearts racing – and this is a house favorite!

Located in the heart of the Côte des Bar, the vineyard and the cellars of Champagne Veuve Doussot are located in the charming village of Noé-les-Mallets. This area is closer to Chablis than the center of the Champagne region, with a warmer microclimate ideal for pinot noir. Because of the proximity to Chablis, you often find similar veins of the chalky Kimmeridgian soil, interspersed with red clay and limestone.

Now run by Stephane Joly, the third generation, Veuve Doussot just recently eclipsed 50 years as Grower Producers. You can double that number (and then some) for how long the family has been growing grapes in the region, so it’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve seen a thing or two. Their portfolio includes 10 different Champagne cuvees, a few still wines, and a Ratafia (an aperitif made from distilled Champagne grapes).

This cuvee is primarily composed of pinot noir, blended with 15% chardonnay, and aged in the classical Champagne tradition, on the lees in bottles for a minimum of 18 months. The dosage level here is designated as Brut – giving a richness and texture that intensifies the bright fruit flavors and toasty croissant notes. An abundance of pears, melons, and grapefruits, accentuated with rose petals, mandarin orange blossoms, and a finish of zippy candied lemon. Pure and fresh, packed with flavor, it’s simply a dang fine bottle at a deliriously fine price. New “House” Grower Champagne? It just may be! OK, that’s all we can say...while it lasts!

PAIRING IDEAS: If you’ve never had southern fried chicken and Champagne – you can thank me later. It really is one of the most amazing food and wine pairings there is, and this particular bottle makes it work so well, it’s uncanny. Some mashed potatoes and gravy wouldn’t hurt either.