ALEXANDRE GRIMEE 'Les Douares' Coteaux Champenois 2022

Alexandre Grimée is turning the Marne Valley on its head by capturing his signature, laser-focused Pinot Meunier in a completely still red wine. Sourced from a tiny, steep 45% incline plot planted by his grandparents in 1989, and made a single barrel experiment. It is an absolute unicorn of a grower bottle.

Why we love it: This wine completely breaks the mold of traditional, heavy reds. You get juicy fruit, which is balanced by a striking, chalky minerality and a vibrant, crunchy acidity that keeps it fresh and dangerously drinkable.

The vibe: Late-afternoon backyard gathering as the air starts to crisp. You have a charcuterie board stacked with prosciutto and aged cheeses, a great playlist humming in the background, and a bottle that keeps everyone talking.