Le Calendrier de l’Avin Le Petit Ballon Gift

The Calendrier de l'Avin is the wine advent calendar from Le Petit Ballon, the French subscription house known for guided discovery boxes. It is not a single bottle but a curated selection assembled by sommelier Antoine Pétrus and his tasting team, with a window to open each day through December. Inside are twelve small vinottes alongside a 37.5 cl half bottle, spanning red and white wines and a Champagne, plus further surprises the producer keeps back. Because the contents change from year to year and cross several regions and styles, there is no single terroir or vinification to describe; the value lies in the range, which is chosen to move from lighter, fresher pours toward more structured wines as the calendar progresses. Expect bright red-berry and cherry fruit from the reds, citrus and white-flower freshness from the whites, and toasted, bready autolytic character from the Champagne. The set works as a gift or as a structured way to taste across French styles over the season. Serve each component at the temperature its style calls for, whites and Champagne well chilled, reds a little cooler than room temperature, and read the enclosed notes as you go.