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DECEMBER 2024

Champagne isn’t just for celebrations!

Dear Extra Brut Friends,

“Champagne isn’t just for celebrations!” It’s almost a motto around here. And it’s true: Champagne is just about the most versatile wine in the world and the easiest to preserve in the fridge (all you need is a decent wine stopper and it will keep for days or longer). Which makes it a wine to always have on hand – indeed, to always have on the go.

And yet, Champagne is DEFINITELY the most celebratory drink in the world. The ceremonial “Pop!” of the cork. The elegant string of bubbles rising in the glass. The exciting bouquet, beautiful texture of mousse and acidity, and the mouthwatering flavors. There is no better way to celebrate. 

And this is December, the month of celebrations. 

So this month we have two very special, supremely celebratory wines. Don’t get us wrong: they’re interesting too! But these are wines that when you open them will hit you first in the “Wow, is that yummy” bone, long before they hit you in the “oh how fascinating!” bone. If you aren’t careful you may have finished the bottle before you get past the classiness, the elegance, and the sheer joy of the bubbles and can even start to think about terroir or technique. 

We hope you have occasion to open these wines to celebrate the best of times with people you love. See you in the New Year.

Cheers,

Your Friends at Flatiron Wines

P.S. Have a question or comment you'd like to share?



GROWER CHAMPAGNE

A guide to the best bubbles in the world and what makes them different from the Grandes Marques

Champagne is the world’s most famous sparkling wine. Hailing from the Champagne regions of France, its biggest names are among the biggest names in wine: Moet, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Cristal.

But there’s another side to Champagne: a universe of small-scale producers preserving ancient family farming traditions and bottling wines you’ve never heard of.

These are the Grower Champagnes.