Maybe the last time you had a fine Champagne like the Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs was New Year’s Eve. OK, maybe even technically in January if the clock struck midnight before you popped the cork. But while January for many signals a month of austerity after a month (or two or three…) of indulgence, I would hate for you to put Champagne on the back burner until next December 31st.

There are a many reasons why I like the Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs, but the chief reason is I’m a big fan of the Blanc de Blancs, all-Chardonnay style. They are the raciest, freshest, liveliest Champagnes. And the often have an astonishing Chardonnay character that reminds me of some of the finest still expressions of the grape, like Chablis or White Burgundy. And as a bonus, it’s a Grower Champagne, meaning the people who own the vineyards make the wine. You can tell a Grower Champagne by searching for a tiny “RM” (for Récoltant-Manipulant) on the front label. And while the rise in popularity of Grower Champagnes is laudable, I’d like to say that just because a Champagne house is big doesn’t preclude it from making delicious, memorable bubbles.

So, I don’t know, make your own coffee for a few weeks and/or cook dinner at home so you can scrape together enough dough to enjoy a bottle of Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs. Drinking Champagne year-round is something I wholeheartedly endorse. Just like drinking rosé. And especially rosé Champange.

Tags: blanc de blanc, grower champagne, Michael Skurnik, pierre peters, terry theise