N.V. Pierre Moncuit Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Champagne, France (750ml)   

This lovely, crisp and delicious wine is one of the best and most pure expressions of non-vintage, 100% Chardonnay Grower-Producer Champagnes in the Côtes des Blancs -- and the entire region of Champagne itself. And it cannot be beat for the price!

It's rather astonishing that this perfectly toned and balanced Champagne is under $50 a bottle, at $47.00 it's a downright steal. Its clean and elegant label and package design adds to its overall charm and value, making it a perfect gift for any occasion, especially to one's self on a Tuesday night, just because! Winemaker Nicole Moncuit is the daughter of founder, Pierre Moncuit, and she achieves the impeccable house style in part because she ferments only in stainless steel (there are no oak barrels in the winery) and doesn't use any reserve wine in any of her cuvees (meaning only grapes from the current harvest go into each bottling). That is fairly rare in Champagne. But she can also control the style because she manages and knows so intimately their 15 hectares of mostly old vine Grand Gru vineyards on east facing slopes in Le Mesnil Sur Oger. It all adds up to a delicious, extremely well priced Champagne!