WHAT

Sparkling White

WHERE

Beaune, Burgundy, France

Maison Jaffelin was founded in 1816 and is now one of the smallest of Burgundy's great négociant houses — one of the few still making wine in the historic center of Beaune itself, in the 12th-century cellars of the Chapter of Our Lady beneath the city. They press their grapes in a traditional vertical press using handmade oval wooden vats, a method most houses abandoned long ago. That commitment to old-fashioned craft is what makes their Crémant worth talking about.

The Blanc de Blancs is made primarily from Chardonnay sourced from vineyards across the Burgundy appellation, vinified by traditional method with a minimum of 15 months aging on lees in the bottle. The result is pale gold with a fine, persistent mousse, flowers and citrus on the nose, and brioche and butter notes as it opens up in the glass. Full, creamy, and supple on the palate with balanced acidity and a clean finish. Vegan-friendly.

Open it as an aperitif, with oysters or scallops, or anywhere you'd open a bottle of Champagne and don't want to spend Champagne money. It earns the comparison.