We did it! Thanks to our incredible customers, we raised just over $50,000 for the NC Children's Hospital through Corks for Kids. I am so grateful to everyone for making this happen during such trying times. So let's toast!

Here are our top choices for bubbles this season...

Taittinger Prelude Grands Crus Brut NV - $74.99 – 96 pts Decanter – “The Taittinger Prélude ‘Grands Crus’ cuvée is made from a blend of 50 % Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, which Taittinger has selected only from the ‘Grands Crus’ vineyards; the highest rated vineyards in the Champagne region.Only the first pressings are used, resulting in a perfect balance between the vibrant minerality of the Chardonnay and the strength and structure of the Pinot Noir. It matures for 5 years in the cellars, and retains a distinct freshness, combining sophistication and complexity. Its minerality opens up the nose, before quickly becoming botanical and blossoming out into a fragrance of elderflower mixed with spicy notes of cinnamon. The taste is vibrant and forthright, dominated by hints of fresh citrus fruit. It then evolves into a rounded and smooth tongue. The finish is long-lasting, rich and explosive. This cuvee reveals a superb balance between freshness and an aromatic character.” Winery note

“The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It just needs air to breathe. Gorgeous.” D

L. Aubry Fils Le Nombre d'Or Veteres Vites Brut 2014 - Sale $67.99 - 93 pts Wine Advocate - A unique blend of 25% Chardonnay, 25% Arbanne, 25% Petit Meslier, 25% Pinot Blanc. Petite Meslier adds high acidity and laser-focused green apple flavors, along with a hint of fresh herbs. Pinot Blanc brings wonderful floral aromas and richness to the mouthfeel. Arbanne produces very little grapes, which is probably why it fell out of fashion, but the grapes it produces are concentrated with flavors. Finally, Chardonnay, which we all know, gives acidity, structure and refinement.

Put it all together and we have a wonderful Champagne that is as much a feast for the senses as it is for your intellect. Geek out or chill out… either way you will be thanking me!

“Aubry's newly-released 2014 Brut Nature Sablé Blanc de Blancs Le Nombre d'Or Campaniae Veteres Vites is showing beautifully, unwinding in the glass with notes of Meyer lemon, fresh pastry, toasted almonds and yellow apple. Medium to full-bodied, charming and enveloping, it's fleshy but precise, with a generous core of fruit, racy acids and a saline finish.” WA

Gaston Chiquet "Millesime Carte d'Or" Brut 2009 - $57.99 – 93 pts Vinous / 92 pts Wine Advocate -  “The 2009 Brut Carte d’Or is 60% Chardonnay from Dizy (Cerisieres lieu-dit) and 40% Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Ay 1er (Mutry and Bourdeleuse lieux-dits) is just beginning to show signs of aromatic nuance in its bouquet, the 2009 is a terrific choice for readers who want to drink a Champagne with a bit of age. Dried flowers, chamomile, lemon confit, almond, pear and spice all develop with a bit of coaxing. The 2009 is not an overt or big wine as its vintage might suggest, but is rather a Champagne of total class and sublime beauty. I loved it.” Vinous

“Gaston Chiquet's 2009 Brut Premier Cru Or is showing very well, revealing aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, honeycomb, white flowers and fresh brioche. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and nicely defined, with an enveloping core of fruit, ripe but racy acids, and a delicate pinpoint mousse.” WA

A. Margaine Brut Rose NV - $49.99 – 93 pts Vinous – Vinous’ highest-rated Brut Rose under $50 in the past two years! “The NV Brut Rosé is positively stellar. The blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir (including 5% still Pinot) works so well here in giving the wine a real sense of proportion that is impossible to miss. In tasting, the Brut Rosé is crisp and taut, but also has more than enough depth to balance things out. Bright red berry fruit and perfumed floral notes race out of the glass, with beams of saline intensity that lend shape through to the salivating finish. Dosage is 9 grams per liter.”

Sabine Godme - Terre de Verzenay Extra Brut NV – Sale $51.99  - 94 pts Wine Enthusiast –60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay from the oldest Verzenay vineyard (planted in 1946); dosage of only 3gr/l ; 40% reserve wine; 80% primary fermentation in barrel; 3 years minimum ageing on the lees; 600BTL production. The nose is extremely toasty with lots of tart cranberry and apple skin flavors; very complex and dense; laser focused loaded with chalky mineral, very dry and crisp through the finish.- winery note “Definitely dry, this Champagne is crisp, nervy, textured and needing further bottle age. The wine has enormous potential richness from the intensity and structure of the grand cru fruit of Verzenay.” WE

Sabine Godme- Blanc De Noirs Champagne NV – Sale $39.99 - 93 pts Wine Enthusiast - 100% Pinot Noir sourced from Verzenay & Verzy; dosage 7gr/l ; 30% reserve wine; 3 years minimum ageing on the lees. 40% primary fermentation in barrel. Big fruity red berry fruits with hints of toast. Great complexity earthy, chalky flavors with a brilliant tart edge. – winery note “A blend across four vintages aged for four years on the lees, has produced a Champagne that is rich, densely textured and with vibrant, green-apple and pear flavors that are shot through with acidity.” WE

Sabine Godme Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV – Sale $39.99 -  93 pts Wine Enthusiast – “Made from Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims with 50% reserve wine, this is a very fine, balanced and textured Champagne. It is fresh, floral, dry but never too crisp. The aftertaste leaves elegance and freshness.” WE


Or reply. The wines are available now in Chapel Hill. Saturday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.