Seriously, though, we get a lot of compliments on our small-producer Champagne finds – in fact, that’s practically the origin story behind Last Bubbles. We found that there were quite a few wine lovers who, like us, specifically adored carefully, artisanally-made bubbles for epic savings – you are our people, and we are more than happy to be your bubbly merchants. Ask and ye shall receive! Gallimard is one of my favorite, go-to producers, located in the southern (and slightly warmer) part of Champagne, in Les Riceys. They’re devastatingly hard to find in most wine stops and shops – which is why we make it our duty to stop by their gorgeous 17th-century vaulted stone cellars anytime we make the trek to France at least once a year. 

Run by father and son duo – Didier and Arnaud Gallimard, the sixth and seventh generation to lead the estate – the winery cultivates 12 hectares of mostly pinot noir grapes among the Kimmeridgian limestone soils that Les Riceys is so famous for. Using the fewest interventions possible to obtain ultimate freshness and allow the grapes to speak for themselves, Gallimard has a prominent focus on nature and sustainability in all that they do.

This is 100% chardonnay, so it’s particularly round and lovely and generous, packed with flavors of lime, apricot, white peach, lemon creme, white flowers, mineral, raw almonds, and toasty spice notes. A rich and buttery brioche comes in last to wrap up the body with a warm bow. If you love the bigger style of Champagne, you absolutely need this in your glass as soon as humanly possible. Opulent and full, with a very persistent, deep finish – it’s just so tasty and amazing with good cheese. This 96-point gem is a no-nonsense crowd-pleaser, to be sure, and for such a price, an absolute steal for your cellar!