11/14/2025
Champagne, not bubbles, sparklers or fizzies, true Champagne this coming Saturday. And we are going to change things up a bit. We will have three sales representatives here to each pour two Champagnes. You’ll get first-hand knowledge of these delicious wines.
First up will be Katie Ghenov from Grape Expectations…
NV, D’Armville, Brut: Pale golden yellow color with plenty of effervescence. The nose is uninhibited, elegant, fresh and complex with notes of white blossoms and yellow fruits. A fresh and generous mouth, fine balance and a long finish with hints of peach,
melon and green apple meat. An elegant and expressive champagne. Mostly Pinot Noir from several vintages. $44.99/$40.49
NV, Charles Orban, Brut, Rose’: The Orban family started growing grapes in the village of Troissy, France, in 1770. At the end of the 20th century, the estate was sold to the Rapeneau family, which had been established in Champagne for more than a hundred years. 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% “other wine”. A deep salmon-color, pretty string of bubbles. An elegant nose dominated by notes of peaches, roses and peonies. Lively on the palate, with initial apricot aromas and a red berry finish. $63.99/$57.59
Next, is Bill Meyer, who owns Sustenance Distributing…
NV, Champagne Alexandre Colson, Grand Cru, Brut, Carte D’Or, Bouzy: Mostly Pinot Noir with about 20% Chardonnay and a touch of Pinot Munier too. Snappy and crisp with persistent bubbles. Ye**ty and bready with notes of lemon, tropical fruits with touches of strawberry and cherry. A rich style of bubbles because of the Pinot Noir. $54.99/$49.49
NV, Champagne Lamiable, 1er Cru, Brut, “Alhena”, Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay with a nose of citrus and brioche. Pineapple, lemon curd, vanilla and toast intermingle nicely with the fine mousse. With a little air the flavors change to more white rose petal and Granny Smith apple. $61.99/$55.79
And finally Adam Fream from Cavatappi, some old favorites…
NV, Gaston Chiquet, Brut, Tradition, Premiere Cru: 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Disgorged in May 2019, the latest release of Chiquet's supremely dependable NV Brut Premier Cru Tradition reveals an inviting bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, Meyer lemon and warm biscuits. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a youthfully frothy but refined mousse, a succulent core of fruit and ripe but racy balancing acids. It's already drinking well. Both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator awarded this wine 90 points. $66.99/$60.29
NV, Vilmart et Cie, Brut, Grande Cuvee: 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Fruit come from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages. The effervescence is calm and regular, composed of fine and dynamic bubbles. It expresses a complex and elegant wine, complete with wild strawberries notes, mango and exotic wood. After a little aeration, flavors of fresh apricot and bergamot show up. In the mouth, it develops citrus notes, then aromas of yellow fruit are discovered. Perfectly balanced on your palate, you can sense a long lasting lemon zest. The finish is beautifully clean, slightly mineral and long. $89.99/$80.99