The Wine Company of Minnesota, USA

08/15/2026

Welcoming Champagne Jean Michel from the Vallée de la Marne to The Wine Company!

A family-owned estate in Moussy, France, Maison Jean-Michel has been producing wine since 1847 as a Récoltant-Manipulant (grower-producer) and is known for its emphasis on Pinot Meunier along with he family’s commitment to sustainability and organic viticulture — earning France’s High Environmental Value (HVE) certification.

Olivier, Florence and daughter Violette control every step of production, from tending the 12-hectare estate to bottling. To ensure they are expressing authentic terroir, all the grapes that come together in their wines are grown among their own vineyards.

While many Champagne houses champion Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, Jean-Michel highlights the local Meunier grape — even producing a Blanc de Meunier, showcasing the fruitiness, roundness, and aromatic complexity of this specific variety — as well as a refreshing Coteaux de Champenois.

Aging occurs in traditional 18th-century cellars. Although some of their champagnes are wooded, we have selected those made in stainless steel for a clarity and precision that captures both variety and place.

THE WINES OF CHAMPAGNE JEAN MICHEL
Champagne Jean Michel Brut Carte Blanche
Champagne Jean Michel Brut Champagne Brut Carte d’Or (2019)
Champagne Jean Michel Extra-Brut Blanc de Meunier (2019)
Champagne Jean Michel Coteaux Champenois Pinot Meunier (2022)

Many thanks to Champagne Jean Michel for joining the delectable portfolio that is . 💌

08/08/2026

Looking back on the bright life and legacy of Sue Zelickson and all she did for the local food scene, we at The Wine Company were reminded of the time she helped in a shared campaign to change the outdated law called 70/30 which used to insist neighborhood eateries in Minneapolis had to ensure 70% of the cost of a diner’s tab was spend on food and no more than 30% on drinks.

Imagine that for a second: back then, a customary order of champagne with oysters or a glass of Barolo with a pasta dish could get a restaurateur in serious trouble.

Needless to say, greater minds prevailed and thanks in part to Sue Zelickson taking part in this playful video produced and sponsored by The Wine Company. You might recognize some other local talent in this playful ensemble. It was a fun day spent for positive change. After all, “I thought this was a modern city!”

Thank you, Sue, for this and your warm efforts to propel the local food scene all around us. We are so glad to have shared this time and space. ♥️

Video Credits-
Cast: Steven Brown, Miki Mosman, Megan O’Hara, RT Rybak, Sue Zelickson
Video Production: Cathy Colbeck, Nicholas Livingston, Field Guide Inc, The Wine Company
Location: Broder’s Terzo Vino
A project of Citizens for a Modern Minneapolis

https://youtu.be/4C9_9pzaz0k?is=wAGzdHjYnGocRwE-

08/08/2026

Looking back on the bright legacy of Sue Zelickson and all she did for the local food scene, we at The Wine Company were reminded of the time she helped in a shared campaign to change the outdated law called 70/30 which used to insist neighborhood eateries in Minneapolis had to ensure 70% of the cost of a diner’s tab was spend on food and no more than 30% on drinks.

Imagine that for a second: back then a customary order of champagne with oysters or a glass of Barolo with a pasta dish could get a restaurateur in serious trouble.

Needless to say, greater minds prevailed and thanks in part to Sue Zelickson taking part in this playful video produced and sponsored by The Wine Company. You might recognize some other local talent in this playful ensemble. It was a fun day spent for positive change. After all, “I thought this was a modern city!”

Thank you, Sue, for this and your warm efforts to propel the local food scene all around us. We are so glad to have shared this time and space. ♥️

Video Credits-
Cast: Steven Brown, Miki Mosman, Megan O'Hara, RT Rybak, Sue Zelickson
Video Production: Cathy Colbeck, Nicholas Livingston, Field Guide Inc, The Wine Company
Location: Broder's Terzo Vino
A project of Citizens for a Modern Minneapolis

Neighborhood restaurants feed us, bring life to our city, enhance t...

08/05/2026

TRADE TASTING ALERT
The Wine Company Portfolio Showcase Tasting
Join us for an afternoon of discovery featuring an expansive selection from across our thoughtfully curated portfolio.

COME ON DOWN AND EXPLORE...

NEW TWC WINE IMPORTS
NEW & LOCAL SPIRITS
NEW & LOCAL ADULT NON-ALCOHOLIC
NEW & CORE SAKE SELECTIONS
NEW & CLASSIC RIEDEL GLASSWARE

SAVE THE DATE:
Tuesday, September 15th
1 PM - 4 PM

The Wine Company
425 West Minnehaha Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota

Member of the trade? RSVP here: https://TWC_Portfolio_Showcase.eventbrite.com

08/04/2026

Sometimes it’s best to just step back and go analog for a little while.

07/31/2026

Just the pair of sakes for a reflective rainy day, Northern Skies and Chrysanthemum Meadow curl up on the palate like a purring cat settling in beside a gently crackling fireplace.

AKITABARE KOSHIKI JUNZUKURI aka “NORTHERN SKIES”
Poised, pared-down, cleanly balanced and spare in structure— the kind of sake one can drink enjoyably for hours at a stretch. Goes best with seafood and vegetable dishes simply prepared, including tempura. Mild and dry, it also stands up quite well to spicy appetizers.

TEDORIGAWA YAMAHAI DAIGINIO
aka “CHRYSANTHEMUM MEADOW”
Enticing imprint of honey and herbs at first sip, segueing mid-range into a sake of surprising clarity. Supple, racy and notably drinkable over long periods of time. Best with cold dishes that combine meat or fish with vegetables, such as Thai beef salad or salade niçoise.

Three cheers to , + of who have been close partners with representing the finest Japanese sake across Minnesota for decades. 🍶 ♥️ 🇯🇵

07/30/2026

Your friends at The Wine Company enjoyed an afternoon together packing school supplies for a back-to-school Backpack Drive to benefit students living housing through the Project for Pride in Living.

Big shout out to Elyse for organizing this start to finish, to all the good people Project for Pride in Living and all the noble work they accomplish across the communities we call home. Thank you!

07/30/2026

Introducing Champagne Liébart-Régnier an exceptional, organic grower new to our direct imports from the Vallée de la Marne

Founded in 1960 by Lucien Liébart and Georgette Régnier, the estate stretches back well over a century and today is entirely family-run, now under their seventh generation with sisters Alexandra and Marion gradually taking on more of the day to day from their father Olivier and mother Valerie.

Because they grow, harvest, and bottle their own grapes, they carry the prestigious Récoltant Manipulant (RM) grower status - revealing an intimate awareness of everything throughout the vineyard and cellar. This led to organic certification in 2023 and a commitment to utilizing natural methods, alternative tilling, and cover planting.

The family owns 11 ha of vineyards across 35 parcels in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne, all handed down by their predecessors. They span both banks of the Marne in the communes of Vauciennes (Left Bank, the stronghold of the Liébart family) and Baslieux sous Châtillon (Right Bank, land inherited from the Régnier family).

Among these vineyards, they tend all seven authorized Champagne grape varieties including Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc for limited blends and Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier which fare well in the brown limestone and clay soils of the area.

THE CHAMPAGNES OF LIÉBART-RÉGNIER
Liébart-Régnier Les Sols Bruns
A champagne for any occasion
60% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
3 years in the cellar | 5 g/L dosage
Excellent as an aperitif or served at a posh cocktail party, it will also hold its own at the table. It enhances the flavor of the food and is perfect paired with a beef carpaccio marinated in first-press olive oil with a sprig of thyme.
90 Wine Enthusiast

Liébart-Régnier Blancs de Blanche
A delicious Blanc de Blancs
100% Chardonnay | 4 years in the cellar | 6 g/L dosage
Opens with a prevalence of citrus notes (lemon and grapefruit) which is rapidly followed by a hint of licorice and ginger. This champagne is silky-smooth, rich and indulgent on the palate.

Liébart-Régnier Rubis des Grès
Saignée-method Rosé
100% Pinot Noir from "Les Grés" in Vauciennes
3 years in cellar | 7 g/L dosage
This vinous Champagne, capturing all the charms of Pinot Noir, will hold its own as an aperitif but is also ready for a wide variety of foods; a prawn curry or Saltimbocca topped with sage leaf, a venison stew with cranberries and pomegranates, or fresh smoked salmon and ricotta. This is a wine for endless pairings - or none at all if all one wants is to savor a delightful Brut Rosé.
90 Wine Enthusiast

A hearty shout out to all at Champagne Liébart-Régnier for these delectable champagnes!

07/21/2026

Introducing The Analog Project — Handmade Oregon Pinot Noir

The Analog Project represents our work to find great wines offering incredible values from established vineyards all over the world.

We believe that, like music, the best wines are made by hand and by passionate people rather than machines and corporate recipes. We believe that great wine can’t be rushed and is best savored and shared.

Analog Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a rich, black fruited, and bass-heavy vision of Pinot Noir which rewards sessions and partnership with grilled salmon, roasted mushrooms, game birds, heady conversations, laughter, and deepening friendships.

Follow THE ANALOG PROJECT on Instagram Analog Wine