Everything BUT Champagne

Somehow it’s October already and the holidays are looming right around the corner. As you begin planning the next few busy weeks and months, we invite you to join us on Thursday, November 2nd for our Everything BUT Champagne event. We’ll be exploring the many sparkling wine alternatives to Champagne from across the globe. As we taste four wonderful and unique bubblies, we’ll dive into the history of these wines, learn how they are grown and made, and (of course) pair them with delicious food companions.

There’s no better time for sparkling wine than the holiday season, and with this event we aim to set you up for success as you navigate the sometimes-overwhelming array of bubbles available. Though traditional champagne will never go out of style, the wide world of sparkling wine holds a plethora of excellent alternatives at incredible price points. Whether you’re in search of a bottle of bubbly for your holiday meal or a gift for friends or family, you’ll leave our event feeling confident that you can pick out something perfect, without breaking the bank on traditional Champagne.

As a sneak peek, today I’m highlighting one of the best sparkling wines I’ve had this year and one of the four that we’ll be tasting on November 2nd. If I were offered this bottle next to a true Champagne in a blind tasting, I’d certainly have a very hard time telling them apart. The 2018 Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs is a traditional method bubbly made in Kent, England from 100% Chardonnay. You may have heard that England is one of the most exciting up-and-coming regions for sparkling wine today. The slow creep of climate change is gradually transforming previously unviable regions into ideal terroir for grape-growing, and England is no exception.

The 2018 Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs $67 is clean and bright with lots of citrus, honey, and toast on the nose. On the palate, the mousse is very fine and the flavors remain fresh and bright, with green apple and citrus zest. This is a wine to impress your friends with - introduce them to a new region while also enjoying top-quality bubbly that will pair perfectly with your holiday celebration.

Come taste this and three other wonderful sparkling wines on November 2nd from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45/person and can be purchased now through our Eventbrite page.

All You Need Is Love... and Wine

Event Details: Join us for a delightful evening as we explore the perfect wine pairings for a romantic Valentine's menu! We'll highlight our favorite matches for some of the most classic Valentine's dinner items, starting with appetizers and making our way through to the sweet end of the meal. Dessert pairings can be tricky, but we'll give you the tools to make sure your romantic dinner starts and ends on a high note.