This week from Desmond Echavarrie:

When you think of Champagne, you probably think of NYE and the universally embraced auditory signal to party down – the iconic pop of the bottle. Concealing that obnoxious sound is an important skill in the early life of a sommelier and it is symbolic. Champagne deserves to be enjoyed as an elegant wine, not the shower of sticky fizz as it’s often relegated in a Vegas night club or at the finish line of racetrack.

Most people just don’t drink great Champagne. That’s because most Champagne is mass-produced. The Champagne region has flourished through the centuries because large houses with aggressive marketing were able to craft the narrative for Champagne as a celebratory luxury. While there is nothing wrong with this, I submit that finding those awe-inspiring grower producer treasures that will enhance your meal and your life is the real cause for celebration. Here are a few that you will want to open quietly with close friends.

Check out the wines below!