Bubbles the guest of honor all weekend
This $100+ bottle of Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve was a special treat at Latte da Coffee House and Wine Bar’s Thursday bubbles tasting. Viki Eierdam
‘Tis the season for bubbles and they were poured up all over this weekend from the complimentary tasting held most Friday nights at Battle Ground Produce to a sparkling event at Latte da Coffee House and Wine Bar and another at Bleu Door Bakery.
A bottle of Antech 2012 Cuvée Eugénie Crémant from the south of France can be purchased for under $15 at Battle Ground Produce. Viki Eierdam
At Battle Ground Produce, Andreas Oswald of Noble Wines poured a value-conscious Antech 2012 Cuvée Eugénie Crémant from the south of France in Limoux as well as a beautiful, true French Champagne for an unheard of $43 (!!!)—Champagne Deutz Brut Classic. Using the classic three—chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier—this smaller producer is giving the big Champagne houses a run for their money on price and quality.
Sarah Flury, co-owner of Latte da Coffee House and Wine Bar, toasting with friends at last Thursday’s Bubbles and Beyond event. Viki Eierdam
Over in Uptown Vancouver, Latte da Coffee House and Wine Bar had an excellent turn out for their Bubbles and Beyond, particularly considering the torrential downpour and it being opening night for that little sci-fi franchise. The tent was up, propane heaters kept everyone toasty and nibbles like Brie, nuts and bite-sized quiches were the perfect accompaniment to the inherent bready characteristics of sparklings. Jenny, the owner of NW Wine Distributors, shared with me that, for the money, Franck Besson’s méthode traditionnelle Brut “Dentelle”, was her favorite of the night’s offerings and when I arrived at that tasting I had to agree but the bonus sample of the $100+ bottle Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve was the special treat I remember the most. Owners, Scott and Sarah, sure know how to throw a soirée and the Christmasy guitar playing of local musician, James Wallace, was icing on my champagne flute.
A room full of sparkling wine lovers at Bleu Door Bakery yesterday. Viki Eierdam
Last but certainly not least, Bonnie Brasure of Bleu Door Bakery hosted a tasting of eight sparklings just last night. Sharing the same distributor, Jenny was at the helm once again to educate bubble fans on the differences between Prosecco, Cava and Crémant along with wine rep, Neal Dykeman. The Jean Philippe Blanquette de Limoux Cuvée was my fav which is of little surprise since I so enjoyed the south of France Crémant poured by Oswald just two nights prior. Brasure’s restaurant absolutely shimmered from her Champagne tree (If you haven’t seen it you need to stop in. Every house should have one.) to her sparkling gift sets, featured Isenhower Holiday Paintbrush red wine and Christmasy bottle stoppers.
Bleu Door Bakery is absolutely shimmering with sparkling gift sets, bubbles by the bottle, a featured Isenhower Holiday Paintbrush red wine and Christmasy bottle stoppers. Viki Eierdam
If you missed any of these celebratory tastings, you can still stop in to Battle Ground Produce, Latte da Coffee House & Wine Bar and Bleu Door Bakery to pick up these bottles of bubbly for upcoming holiday gatherings. There’s a huge selection for $20 and under and some special ones priced a little higher. Cheers to 2016!
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Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.