Annual Sparkling Wine Sale!
by Jane Augustine
© Gail Skoff
While we all have our own memories with sparkling wine––be it a coming-of-age tale, a life-changing bottle, or a festive celebration––there’s always something intriguing in our imports with which to create new ones. So without further ado, and with no shortage of expressions to describe these offerings: mousseux, pétillant, frizzante, or spumante . . . dive into our selections.
© Gail Skoff
While we all have our own memories with sparkling wine––be it a coming-of-age tale, a life-changing bottle, or a festive celebration––there’s always something intriguing in our imports with which to create new ones. So without further ado, and with no shortage of expressions to describe these offerings: mousseux, pétillant, frizzante, or spumante . . . dive into our selections.
Annual Sparkling Wine Sale!
by Jane Augustine
My gateway into sparkling wine was something bubbly from California that my friends and I used to pass around in a circle. It was low-priced and low in alcohol, high in both sugar and carbonation, but it made us feel alive with agency and sophistication. That’s the power of bubbles, I guess. Luckily for me, my palate evolved and was further awakened years later when Kermit offered me a position in our office in Burgundy. There, colleagues and I could order Champagne straight from the domaines of Lassalle, Fourny, and Bara, so often that their wines became our house apéritifs. Gone were the days of sweet swill, welcome were those of fine and balanced grower Champagne.
There was one small drawback to living in Beaune: the selection of sparkling wines from regions outside of Champagne and Burgundy, let alone other countries, was limited. But the post also bestowed upon us the privileged generosity, especially around the holidays, of growers from every region in France and Italy who regaled us with end-of-year gifts—often, magnums of something home-grown and sparkling. How fortunate we were, in such a small town, to fill our cellars with artisanal frizzante like Davide Vignato’s Primo Incontro from the Veneto, or Moretto’s savory Pignoletto from Emilia-Romagna. We even earned a reputation among friends and locals for opening the most interesting apéritifs with aromatic appeal: exotic sparklers made from a cornucopia of grapes, like Boxler’s Crémant d’Alsace, and delicate Proseccos from Sommariva and Gregoletto. Racy Chenin beauties from the Loire like Thierry Germain’s Saumur “Bulles de Roche” and Champalou’s Vouvray Brut were the antidote to Burgundy’s jaded palates, welcome diversions from an abundance of Chardonnay-based sparklers.
While we all have our own memories with sparkling wine––be it a coming-of-age tale, a life-changing bottle, or a festive celebration––there’s always something intriguing in our imports with which to create new ones. So without further ado, and with no shortage of expressions to describe these offerings: mousseux, pétillant, frizzante, or spumante . . . dive into our selections and discover what the many regions across France and Italy have to offer.
Wines In The Collection
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
Kante Italy | Friuli
Dry, chalky, and just the right combination of fleshy and lean. Serious sparkling wine.
La Marca di San Michele Italy | Le Marche
The wine’s salinity finds balance with a delightfully tart note of lemon rind.
Veuve Fourny & Fils France | Champagne
This blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir is a sleek, elegant Champagne that has roundness along with the astonishing freshness and finesse that are characteristic of all Fourny wines.
Veuve Fourny & Fils France | Champagne
If, like me, you gravitate toward drier Champagnes with laser focus, then you will love the wines of Veuve Fourny.
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
Don’t miss this Blanc de Blancs, a powerful yet refined tour de force from one of the region's most consistent and talented growers.
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
This is the bottle to pop at your next celebratory meal; a white truffle risotto would make an excellent pairing as would ripe soft cheeses.
Davide Vignato Italy | Veneto
Durella with a splash of Chardonnay—rich texture, laser-sharp acidity, and bone-dry finish.
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
Evoking bright citrus as well as darker citrus—think hints of blood orange—the Vinothèque is among Veuve Fourny’s most elegant Champagnes.
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
The Spécial Club represents an elite association of growers who abide by such strict standards of quality, and the pedigree is evident with this 2012 release.
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
That telltale Fourny freshness and finesse complement a nutty richness that is the result of the terroir, the stellar élevage, and five years’ aging on its lees.
Veuve Fourny & Fils France | Champagne
I think I'll replace my Christmas tree with a very large bottle of Champagne. ’Tis the season!
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
Italy | Friuli
Dry, chalky, and just the right combination of fleshy and lean. Serious sparkling wine.
Italy | Le Marche
The wine’s salinity finds balance with a delightfully tart note of lemon rind.
France | Champagne
This blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir is a sleek, elegant Champagne that has roundness along with the astonishing freshness and finesse that are characteristic of all Fourny wines.
France | Champagne
If, like me, you gravitate toward drier Champagnes with laser focus, then you will love the wines of Veuve Fourny.
France | Champagne
Don’t miss this Blanc de Blancs, a powerful yet refined tour de force from one of the region's most consistent and talented growers.
France | Champagne
This is the bottle to pop at your next celebratory meal; a white truffle risotto would make an excellent pairing as would ripe soft cheeses.
Italy | Veneto
Durella with a splash of Chardonnay—rich texture, laser-sharp acidity, and bone-dry finish.
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
France | Champagne
Evoking bright citrus as well as darker citrus—think hints of blood orange—the Vinothèque is among Veuve Fourny’s most elegant Champagnes.
France | Champagne
The Spécial Club represents an elite association of growers who abide by such strict standards of quality, and the pedigree is evident with this 2012 release.
France | Champagne
That telltale Fourny freshness and finesse complement a nutty richness that is the result of the terroir, the stellar élevage, and five years’ aging on its lees.
France | Champagne
I think I'll replace my Christmas tree with a very large bottle of Champagne. ’Tis the season!
More Collections
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New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.