Nothing goes hand-in-hand with a warm summer night in North Carolina quite like champagne. Whether you’re hosting a gathering of friends or simply enjoying the summer air, there’s nothing quite like popping open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the season.
With its light, refreshing taste and effervescence, certain types of champagne can be the perfect accompaniment to your evening in the region.
To help make your next bottle purchase easier and more enjoyable, we’ve put together our top five recommendations for champagnes that will make your summer nights in North Carolina extra special.
Berluchhi 61
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate says “this is one of the most accessible and well-priced expressions of high-end (Classic Method) Italian sparkling wines you can find on the market today.” The NV Franciacorta ’61 Brut is fresh and zesty with a long and festive set of easy-drinking qualities. You get citrus, stone fruit and sweet almond all backed by persistent perlage. The wine represents a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero aged on the lees for two years.
Cruse Wine Co-Tradition
A snapshot of California in bubbles.The blend is nearly 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot noir. The grapes were pressed using a traditional Champagne cycle and press cut. The wine proceeded through a native primary and malolactic fermentation in barrel and wooden tanks. No sulfur was used in the élevage. The wine was racked once and tirage bottled without fining or filtering. After approximately 18 months in bottle, the wine was riddled and disgorged à la volée with zero dosage and no sulfur.
Le Mesnil Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Champagne from Krug
The Blanc de Blancs from Le Mesnil is rich and flavorful and pairs perfectly with smoked salmon. It has a beautiful white frothy mousse that holds well and a straw-pale gold base wine. The very fine bead has excellent persistence. It smells like classic Champagne with yeasty, baked bread notes followed by some brioche and a hint of citrus.
Veuve Clicquot-La Grande Dame 2012
Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame is an elegant blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier grapes from 8 of the most prestigious Grand Cru villages in Champagne. It has a bright yellow color with green highlights and aromas of vanilla, jasmine, and ripe fruits. The flavor is rich and creamy, with notes of citrus and toast.
Laurent-Perrier Brut
Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P is a classic example of Laurent-Perrier’s signature style. Its flavor is crisp, fresh, and elegant and embodies the core essence of their Champagnes. The Champagne has a pale golden color with small and persistent bubbles. The aroma is refreshing and delicate, and has a good complexity that hints at citrus and white fruit notes.
Champagne at Wendy’s House
No matter which bottle you choose, we guarantee that these five options will make your summer nights all the more enjoyable. Wendy’s House on Oleander Dr. in Wilmington, NC is dedicated to offering the finest champagne selections to our customers. Whether you’re looking for a bottle of classic Brut or something special like Veuve Clicquot-La Grande Dame 2012, we have it all.