Chicago · La Fête du Champagne
Chicago Grand Tasting
La Fête’s Grand Tasting will offer guests a selection of wines from each participating producer, accompanied by a selection of small bites including Haute Caviar and oysters from Taylor Shellfish in the beautiful setting of Avec River North. Discover the magic of the terroir of Champagne, from the Côte des Blancs, through the Vallée de la Marne, to the Montagne de Reims, through these specially curated wines from eight of Champagne’s top producers.
A Champagne-focused tasting format
Chicago Grand Tasting is organized by La Fête du Champagne at Avec River North, a restaurant in Chicago. The format is a daytime, walk-around Champagne tasting with curated wines from participating Champagne houses and growers, rather than a seated dinner or single-producer seminar.
The tasting is built around wines from each participating producer. Its regional frame is Champagne terroir, specifically the Côte des Blancs, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Montagne de Reims, giving the program a producer-by-producer and region-by-region structure.
Named wines and producers
Wines named for Champagne A. Bergère include Solera NV, Les Peignottes 2019, Les Clos 2019, and Grand Cru NV. Delamotte is represented by Brut NV, Blanc de Blancs NV, Blanc de Blancs 2018, and Rosé NV. Pierre Gerbais selections include Grains de Celles 2022, Champ Viole 2011-2021, La Loge 2011-2021, and Les Grandes Côtes 2011-2021.
Other named selections include Krug 2013, Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Edition, Krug Rosé 29ème Edition, and Krug Grande Cuvée 169ème Edition. Larmandier-Bernier appears with Longitude NV, Terre de Vertus 2018, Vieille Vigne du Levant 2016, and Rosé NV; Laurent-Perrier with Blanc de Blancs NV, Heritage NV, Vintage 2015, and Grand Siècle Itération Nº27; and Famille Moussé with L’Esquisse NV, Eugène Rosé NV, Les Fortes Terres 2022, and Eugène NV.
Food and featured participants
Small bites accompany the wines, including Haute Caviar and oysters from Taylor Shellfish. The food component is described as part of the tasting at Avec River North, not as a separate dinner format.
Named participants include Adrien Bergère, Jérôme Prévost, Aurélien Gerbais, Edouard Cossy, Arthur Larmandier, Olivier Krug, Cédric Moussé, and Frédéric Savart. Their listed roles include winemaker, founder and winemaker, Global Director of Grand Siècle, and sixth-generation family director.
Location and admission
The event takes place at Avec River North, 141 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654. Individual admission is listed at $195 plus tax.
Frequently asked questions
Which producers have named wine selections?
Named selections are listed for Champagne A. Bergère, Delamotte, Pierre Gerbais, Krug, Larmandier-Bernier, Laurent-Perrier, and Famille Moussé.
What Krug wines are included?
The Krug selections are Krug 2013, Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Edition, Krug Rosé 29ème Edition, and Krug Grande Cuvée 169ème Edition.
What food is included?
Small bites are included, with Haute Caviar and oysters from Taylor Shellfish named as accompaniments.
Which Champagne areas are highlighted?
The program highlights the Côte des Blancs, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Montagne de Reims.
Where is the tasting?
The tasting is at Avec River North, 141 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654.
Hosts & guests
Adrien Bergère
Winemaker · Champagne A. Bergère
Jérôme Prévost
Founder and Winemaker · Champagne La Closerie
Cristian Rimoldi
Export Director · Champagne Salon
Aurélien Gerbais
Winemaker · Champagne Pierre Gerbais
Olivier Krug
Sixth-generation family director · Krug
Arthur Larmandier
Winemaker · Larmandier-Bernier
Edouard Cossy
Global Director of Grand Siècle · Laurent-Perrier
Cédric Moussé
Winemaker · Famille Moussé
Émilien Boutillat
Chief Winemaker · Rare Champagne
Frédéric Savart
Winemaker · Champagne Savart
Featured venues & producers
Avec River North
Chicago
A. Margaine
Villers-Marmery
Bérêche et Fils
Vaudemange
Billecart-Salmon
Aÿ
Bollinger
Aÿ
Champagne A. Bergère
Épernay
Champagne Éric Rodez
Ambonnay
Champagne Geoffroy
Aÿ
Champagne Jean-Marc Sélèque
Pierry
Champagne Joseph Perrier
Châlons-en-Champagne
Champagne La Closerie
Gueux
Champagne Leclerc Briant
Épernay
Champagne Pierre Gerbais
Celles-sur-Ource
Champagne Salon
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Champagne Savart
Ecueil
Champagne Tarlant
Oeuilly Epernay
Chartogne-Taillet
Merfy
Delamotte
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Dom Pérignon
Hautvillers
Drappier
Urville
Famille Moussé
Cuisles
Henriot
Reims
Jacquesson
Dizy
Krug
Reims
Laherte Frères
Blancs-Coteaux
Lanson
Reims
Larmandier-Bernier
Vertus
Laurent-Perrier
Tours-sur-Marne
Louis Roederer
Reims
Moët & Chandon
Épernay
Philipponnat
Aÿ
Pierre Paillard
Bouzy
Pierre Peters
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Piper-Heidsieck
Reims
Pol Roger
Épernay
Rare Champagne
Reims
Vilmart & Cie
Rilly-la-Montagne