40% Pinot Meunier l 40% Pinot Noir l 20% Chardonnay
Multi-vintage blend
Boursault, Vallée de la Marne
Extra Brut, low dosage
Green apple, citrus, brioche and toasted almonds
 
Champagne Michel Laval is exactly the kind of winemaker we love discovering. They come from a small family estate in Boursault, a village tucked into the green hills of the Vallée de la Marne, where Pinot Meunier thrives. This isn't champagne made to impress with a famous label. It's made by people who know every vine they farm and every bottle they produce.
 
Pinot Meunier brings generous orchard fruit, Pinot Noir adds structure, and Chardonnay keeps everything fresh and lively. The low dosage lets the wine speak for itself, with plenty of energy and a clean, chalky finish. It's the sort of champagne that's just as happy alongside dinner as it is on a sunny terrace with friends.
 
Tasting notes
 
Expect bright green apple, ripe pear and lemon zest on the nose, followed by hints of fresh brioche and white flowers. The mousse is fine, the acidity vibrant, and there's a lovely mineral edge that lingers long after each sip. We especially like it with oysters, grilled prawns, sushi or a simple roast chicken, but honestly, it's also a brilliant bottle to open on an ordinary Tuesday evening.
 
Why we chose it
 
One of the things we enjoy most about visiting Champagne is meeting growers like the Laval family. Their wines aren't made by marketing teams or designed for supermarket shelves. They're shaped by the vineyards around Boursault, by the seasons, and by generations of hands-on experience. If you're curious about discovering independent producers beyond the big names, this is a wonderful place to start.