Bubbles Everywhere

by Cynthia Sin-Yi Cheng
February 10, 2010

Here’s a round-up of all things champagne:

TO BUY
Martin Brothers Wines & Spirits
2781 Broadway
(107th & 108th Sts)
New York, NY 10025
212-222-8218

Always on the lookout for retailers with a good champagne selection, I was thrilled to discover Martin Brothers Wine & Spirits on the Upper West Side. Mike Martin, a true champagnophile, has an extensive list with an impressive array of grower wines from different importers. He carries several of my favorites: Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d’Aÿ ($47), Ulysse Collin ($70) and 2005 Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Blanc de Blancs “Haut Lamblée” ($117).

TO DRINK
Vinegar Hill House
72 Hudson Ave
(Front & Water Sts)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-522-1018

My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn (DUMBO to be precise), Vinegar Hill House has a well-edited wine list, and the small, but thoughtful effervescent section is better than a lot of restaurants with a much bigger wine list. Currently, by the half bottle, you can order a minerally Pierre Peters ($58). Otherwise, you can find cult producers Bouchard’s powerful Roses de Jeanne Blanc de Noirs “Les Ursules” ($120) and Jacques Selosse’s vinous Blanc de Blancs “Initial” ($180) or simply indulge in a Krug ($300).

TO ATTEND
ICWSI
While I’ll be in Champagne in April tasting the 2009 component wines, some fantastic champagne and sparkling wines will be showcased in New Orleans at the first Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI) from April 16 to 18th. If you can’t make it to the Big Easy for this event, most of these wines are available at retailers in the City, too.

TO READ
cyn-et-vin news | “all about champagne”
Sign up to read about champagne in all its facets. Check out Volume 1: Sensational and Volume 2: The Third Grape.

TO HOST
cyn-et-vin
Bring more bubbles into your life. Throw a customized champagne-tasting party or book a one-on-one champagne lesson with Cyn. Email me at thia@cynetvin.com.