While the dragons were acting immediately on the threat, their action took years. They began sending up infector plasmides to the surface, but the diffusion was slow and in order to fine tune their attempt they need to wait for feedback from the organisms above. But they had luck to a an almost ironic level: as the glaciation spreads, infectable lifeforms became more scarce in the areas dominated by the dragons involved in the attempt. In one place they were slightly lucky - Champagne. The infectors are still too weak to efficiently infect any mammals reliably, but winemaking collects the plasmids accumulated over a year from a large area, giving them an increased chance to infect a human. The last champagne harvest ever was not just an extremely fine and limited affair, but from one vineyard came a champagne with enough plasmids to infect humans.
The Archambaud family has tended vineyards outside Reims for centuries. While the last official year of champagne was 2026 (marked by a sombre ceremony attended by thousands of black clad oenophiles), the Archambauds held out until 2027 and harvested a small amount of grapes that became the very last champagne. It was stored for 7 years, until 2034. Experts agree that it is a millesime but so rare that it is practically impossible to get. Most owners simply keep their bottles in the safe. They certainly would if they knew the contents.
Etienne Archambaud is an old patriarch, stubborn and traditionalistic to an extreme. He and his two brothers Louis and Fluvant still tend the family yeard, long after any winegrowing has become impossible. His children have moved to Libya where they are involved in the booming new wineries, but Etienne refuses to move. He and his brothers have also become infected by the roots. They are likely the most advanced integrations on Earth, and increasingly strange.
Where The Wine Ended Up
A partial list of people and organisations now possessing the champagne (gamemasters should feel free to add and delete). Some owners will drink it right away, others will store the bottles as investments or for future celebrations. Drinking it is not a certain way of becoming a host of the roots, as differences in immune defence, genetics and anti-prion vaccinations can make it less effective.
South Sea Development Corporation (actually a front for a Cantonese crime boss and his operation; he will share the champagne with his girlfriend)
Baja California Sur Expansion Association (As an extravagant gesture for the launching of the new island Isla Actualizar they bought some bottles for the celebration and naming.)
Sao Paolo, Santiago Ramela (Artist and bon vivant, known for his eccentricities and wild parties. After drinking the champagne he underwent a religious conversion and is rapidly turning himself into a South American messiah.)
Adrian Masterton (British architect. Drank the champagne together with his family and developed odd smell hallucinations. This may be the most likely way Force Pasteur and NERD find out about it).
Indian Auditor Association (Dinner party of indian auditors celebrating their anniversary.)
Xie Haoteng (Off-shore chinese networking billionaire)
Oenophiles International (Wine investment firm. Keeps the bottles safely stored in a bunker in Arizona.)
Nikita Iglesias (Internationalist VR/game designer.)
Johann Lemke (German-Mauretanian developer and wine conneiseur.)
Lovisa Ivanova-Laondi (Second generation internationalist heir.)
Lucullus Services (Sells wines to restaurants.)
Fraternity of French Wine
Champagne Merleau
Wine Web
Champagne Merchants