NV Pannier Brut Selection Champagne

Unless you live in Champagne, “COVAMA” probably doesn’t mean much to you.

But it should. That jumble of letters represents the powerhouse responsible for some of the best values in all the region—like today’s Pannier Brut Selection.

COVAMA is technically a grower cooperative, but Pannier is their flagship: It’s run independently and behaves like one of Champagne’s Grande Marques—the big-name brands. That means Pannier sources grapes from top farmers in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims to supplement the cream of the crop from the co-op’s members in the Marne. It also means Pannier uses COVAMA’s absolutely top-of-the-line winemaking technology, but offers co-op–level pricing.

The Brut Selection is Pannier’s calling card. Our Master Sommelier, Sur Lucero, declared it “really good value for quality” and it regularly matches Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot at The Drinks Business’ prestigious Champagne Masters competition. 

COVAMA has been around for over a half-century, and with 450 members and over 700 hectares under vine, they control vast quantities of the area’s prime vineyard land, producing several brands of Champagne themselves and selling both grapes and finished wine to some of Champagne’s best-known houses.

None of COVAMA’s wines wins more recognition than their Brut Selection: It’s the one that represents the co-op to the world. As a result, they want to create a bottle that reads “classic Champagne” in every regard. That means a roughly even split between the Marne, their home area, and the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, along with a time-honored 40/30/30 blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. 

Mission accomplished. This is a soft, creamy bubbly to pour with abandon.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Sweetness
• Acidity

• ABV 12.00%
• Enjoy right away
• Now – 2027
• 40% Chardonnay30% Pinot Noir30% Pinot Meunier
• Serving temperature – 40°
• Cork