If there is one thing I've become certain of, it's that you absolutely don't need a special reason to enjoy some Champagne. Successfully completing a long week is more than enough cause for me this Friday.

Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot is an eighth generation winery located in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny in Montagne de Reims. The estate is composed of 8.7ha planted mostly to Pinot Meunier and has been certified organic since 2014, and Demeter certified biodynamic since 2017.

"Tradition" is their entry-level stunner made from 50% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay it's native fermented, aged on the lees in the bottle for 1.5 years and is disgorged as a brut nature without fining or filtering.

On an early Summer evening this wine strikes me as having all the flavors and verve I was hoping for in a grower Champagne. Aromatics of lemon curd and brioche lead to a palate that is dry but with an impeccably rich mousse that coats your mouth, the bubbles feel broad and coat the palate with layers of lemons, créme fraiche, and green apples. This wine has a humble composure, and seems firmly grounded in the chalky, limestone soils from where it came.

This is everything I want, and then some, a testament to good farming, and intentionality in the cellar to let the place shine without additions. This certainly won't be my last bottle this Summer, and if you can find some my suggestion is to enjoy it outside relaxing in the Sun with friends or a loved one.