I’m excited to share this delicious, inflation-buster for your holiday celebrations. While many other champagnes have jumped over $50/bottle during the last couple years, the family-owned, still-independent Maison Duval-Leroy delivers a true French champagne experience for a bargain price. Since 1859, the family has made a respected range of champagnes and today Carol Duval-Leroy and her three sons carry on the tradition. Their entry-level bottling, a blend of about 60% pinot noir with some pinot meunier and chardonnay, shows light citrus fruit notes and fresh fig interwoven with a touch of classic yeastiness. Perfect for holiday hors d’oeuvres, but also paired with light meats such as a pan-fried veal chop with a delicate Dijon mustard cream sauce. (Gary)