Our Champagne portfolio at The Wine Company represents 60 selections with a nice offering of the most capable Récoltant-Manipulants as well as an enticing selection of the most illustrious boutique houses to be found – not to mention the additional 70+ sparkling wines from outside of Champagne.

Choosing can be daunting.

Wine Company Portfolio Director Wil Bailey has selected nine standouts that have made a particular impression to suggest to you as highlights for you to consider in time for the holidays.

We hope you come to love these wines every bit as much as we do!

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Henriot_Blanc_de_BlancsHenriot Blanc de Blancs
“I feel like Henriot is unfortunately stuck in the middle of Champagne purgatory between the really cool and tiny growers we work with and the gigantic Grande Marque houses who make and sell millions of cases a year. Henriot only makes 50,000 cases of wine a year which puts their production on par with a large grower. The commitment to quality is superb, and while they make a lot more Brut Souverain it is the Blanc de Blancs which I drink at home most. This wine is the standard by which I believe Henriot should be judged and appreciated.”

Below are the accounts that have purchased Henriot Blanc de Blanc in the last 12 months, listed alphabetically. Call ahead to confirm availability.

Lake Wine & Cheese
Minneapolis
612-242-0073

Kowalski's Uptown Market
Minneapolis
612-377-3448

Butcher & The Boar
Minneapolis
612-238-8888

Falls Liquor
Minneapolis
612-729-5498

Haskell's - Minneapolis
Minneapolis
612-333-2434

Brent Harms
Saint Paul


Thomas Liquor
Saint Paul
651-699-1860

Coborn's - Sartell
Sartell
320-252-0603

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Gimonnet_2008_Special_ClubPierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs “Special Club de Collection” 2008 

“There is a reason there are two Gimonnet wines on this short list of nine – I freaking love the Gimonnet wines! In fairness I am a sucker for any great Blanc de Blancs, and the 2008 Special Club is all that and a bag of chips. While I am ALWAYS a Gimonnet Special Club drinker and buyer you should note that in rare superlative vintages Didier declares a “Special Club de Collection”. This 2008 is designated as a collection wine. I can only agree.”

Below are the accounts that have purchased Pierre Gimonnet Special Club in the last 12 months, listed alphabetically. Call ahead to confirm availability.
New Scenic Cafe
Duluth
218-525-6274

Sunfish Cellars
Lilydale
651-552-5955

The Wine Market
Mendota Heights
651-452-9463

Lake Wine & Cheese
Minneapolis
612-242-0073

Wil Bailey
Saint Paul


Thomas Liquor
Saint Paul
651-699-1860

Angela Kallsen
Saint Paul


Top Ten Liquors - Woodbury
Woodbury
651-501-1199

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Gimonnet_OenophilePierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs “Oenophile” 2008
“Ok, this is the most personally exciting Champagne I have tasted in many years. Oenophile is the tiny “non dosé” bottling of Gimonnet’s Cuvée Fleuron which he makes only in top vintages as the archetype of the sum of his best Côte des Blancs vineyard holdings. I am NOT generally a big fan of Brut Nature wines as I usually feel that a modest 2-3 grams of sugar would have made the wine both more enjoyable and more interesting. In a great vintage like 2008, I clearly stand corrected by Didier Gimonnet and the Oenophile – which for the record I liked far more than the dosed Fleuron 2008…”

Below are the accounts that have purchased Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blanc “Oenophile” in the last 12 months, listed alphabetically. Call ahead to confirm availability.

The Beanery
Aitkin
218-927-7811

Apple Valley #3 - 157th St W
Apple Valley
952-953-2555

France 44
Minneapolis
612-925-3252

Hennepin-lake Liquors
Minneapolis
612-825-4411

Stinson Wine, Beer & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-789-0678

South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811

North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393

Samples - Taylor Stein
Saint Paul


Wil Bailey
Saint Paul


Angela Kallsen
Saint Paul


Nicholas Livingston
Saint Paul


Brent Harms
Saint Paul


Ann Avant
Saint Paul


Solo Vino
Saint Paul
651-602-9515

Julie Bollig
Saint Paul


Bj Thorkelson
Saint Paul


Mchugh, Mike
Saint Paul


Cellars - Woodbury
Woodbury
651-738-8110

Part Two: Nine Champagnes Wil Bailey wants you to know >>>

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