Crystal Springs Resort always features amazing wine events and I just have to share what’s coming up in a couple weeks – a Champagne weekend! Here’s what’s going on:

Home to the largest and deepest champagne collection in New Jersey, Crystal Springs Resort (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ) will celebrate the holiday season with a Champagne Weekend December 7-8, offering a Champagne Tasting Seminar just in time for the festive year-end celebrations and a lavish Vintage Champagne Dinner.

Vintage Champagne Dinner will take place at Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wine Cellar on Saturday Dec. 7 at 6:30pm with Guest Sommelier Laura Maniec, Master Sommelier (the youngest in the world to earn the title) and co-founder of New York’s Corkbuzz Wine Studio, who will be on hand to talk about Champagne as well as her experience working a harvest in the region.

Vintage Champagnes are only made in the best years and guests will enjoy six different back Vintage Champagnes, showcasing some of the top vintages of the past three decades, including the coveted 1996, from some of the world best known champagne houses: Dom Perignon, Pol Roger, Perrier-Jouet, Billecart Salmon, Ruinart and more.

At 6:30pm, guests will enjoy a tour of the Wine Cellar, hors d’oeuvres and a glass of 2004 Henri Goutorbe Special Club Champagne. Dinner will follow with a six-course tasting menu designed by Executive Chef Timothy Fischer to pair with the outstanding Champagnes being served – 2002 Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, 2004 Billecart Salmon Reserve Brut, 1997 Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne, 1996 Dom Perignon and 1995 Pol Roger Cuvee Winston Churchill. Dinner is $325 (tax and gratuity additional.

On Sunday Dec. 8, a Champagne Tasting Seminar will take place 2:30-4:30pm. Crystal Springs Sommeliers Susanne Lerescu and Jon Hartlage will guide guests through a tasting of six champagnes representing various styles and types of the wine, from Brut and Extra Brut to Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs to Rose and Demi-Sec, providing a comprehensive overview from the driest to less so, from aperitif to dinner to dessert-friendly. Tickets are $40.

Here are the food and wine pairings for the Vintage Champagne Dinner:

Reception – 2004 Henri Goutorbe Special Club

Oysters

Shooting Point Oysters, Champagne Glazed, Trio of Caviar

2002 Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Brut

Fish

Beet Cured Arctic Char, Pickled Fennel, Micro Radish Salad, Prosecco Vinaigrette

2004 Billecart Salmon Reserve, Brut

Rabbit

Golden Nugget Wrapped Rabbit Loin, Parsnip Purée, Brussels Sprout Leaves, Cranberry Gastrique

1997 Perrier-Jouёt Fleur de Champagne, Rosé

Intermezzo

Kir Royal Sorbet, Chardonnay Pearls

Veal

Veal Tenderloin, Fall Squash Raviolo, Braised Cheeks, Crones, Red Dragon Carrot Essence

1996 Moёt & Chandon Dom Perignon

Sweet

Trio of Pear, Financier, Terrine, Semifredo

1995 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Reservations can be made by calling 877-292-9045 extension 3.

Crystal Springs Resort – 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ.

Cheers,

Veronique