Domaine Le Facteur Extra Brut 750ml

Vins de copains — "wines for friends" — is the whole philosophy here. Le Facteur is the partnership of biodynamic Vouvray vigneron Mathieu Cosme and Fabien Brutout, his onetime importer turned cellar partner, who dreamed up the label over drinks in 2013 with one goal: bottles where one glass leads to another, and another. This Extra Brut is serious sparkling Vouvray wearing a friendly face: 90-year-old Chenin Blanc vines on clay-limestone, farmed organically and biodynamically, hand-picked, pressed directly, and fermented spontaneously in old barrels — then aged a full 12 months in barrique and re-fermented in bottle with its own grape must. Disgorged bone-dry, it pours with fine, persistent bubbles: green apple, quince, and lemon zest over pear, white flowers, honey, and Vouvray's signature chalk. Grower-Champagne soul at half the postage — oysters, fried chicken, soft cheeses, or Tuesday.

Wine Details:

Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc — vines averaging 90 years old

ABV: 12.5%

Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France

Farming / Practices: Organic & biodynamic; hand-harvested, direct press, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, 12 months in barriques, secondary fermentation in bottle with grape must; unfined, minimal sulfur

Producer: Domaine Le Facteur — Fabien Brutout & Mathieu Cosme, Noizay/Vouvray

Bottle Size: 750ml