Almost every Champagne story we write these days starts with a familiar story: a new member of a family that has been selling off grapes to the big Houses for generations has decided to start... Read More

Almost every Champagne story we write these days starts with a familiar story: a new member of a family that has been selling off grapes to the big Houses for generations has decided to start bottling their own wines. Chartogne-Taillet is just one of many examples.

For once, we have a story that is completely different. We have two super star sommeliers, one from the United States and one from Canada, joining forces to produce one extraordinary Champagne.

One star is Rajat Parr, who most of you are familiar with as a wine producer and writer who earned his “star” badge at RN74 and other addresses. The other is Marco Pelletier, a Canadian who had the privilege of serving as head sommelier at Taillevent in Paris.

Together, these guys have tasted a lot of Champagne. They have amazing connections in the wine world, and they both have tons of experience making fabulous wines. If there’s any pair in the world who can parachute into the heart of Champagne and make an incredible wine, it is them.

There is also a real Champagne Grower involved. Michel Gonet is an old name that has developed a reputation for exquisite Blanc de Blancs Champagne produced from vines in and around Avizé. Pelletier has been working with them since about 2011, and it is just in the last few years tha the collaboration has been extended to include Parr.