Chicago · La Fête du Champagne
Lunch with Larmandier-Bernier
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier is one of the Côte des Blancs' finest producers. Though both families trace their roots in the region to the French Revolution, the domaine was formally established with the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971. Today, Pierre and Sophie Larmandier — joined by their son Arthur — farm just under eighteen hectares across the Grand Cru villages of Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Avize, as well as the Premier Cru village of Vertus, their home base. The family’s uncompromising approach to farming – organic & biodynamic – and restrained approach in the cellar creates wines of remarkable textural purity, chalky minerality, and precise balance: accessible young, yet built to age for decades. Arthur Larmandier will present a magnificent array of wines at this lunch at brothers Oliver & Nicolas Poilevey’s beloved restaurant Obélix, from a vertical of the profound brut nature Terre de Vertus, to the family’s precious Grands Crus of Les Chemins d’Avize (two prime parcels in Avize) and Vieille Vigne du Levant (from old vines in Cramant, some of which are over 80 years old), to a rare taste of Coteaux Champenois Rouge from Vertus.
Winemaker lunch and vertical tasting
Lunch with Larmandier-Bernier is a La Fête du Champagne event in Chicago built around a seated winemaker lunch and vertical tasting. Arthur Larmandier is the presenting winemaker, and the wines are paired with lunch courses.
Featured wines from the lunch
The tasting focuses on Champagne Larmandier-Bernier’s Côte des Blancs wines. The program includes a vertical of Terre de Vertus brut nature, Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru, Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru, and a taste of Coteaux Champenois Rouge from Vertus. The published lineup also names Longitude 1er Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs in magnum, Terre de Vertus 2018, 2017, and 2016, Les Chemins d’Avize 2017 and 2016, and Vieille Vigne du Levant 2016, with exact wines and vintages subject to change.
The domaine behind the wines
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier was formally established in 1971 through the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier. Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, joined by their son Arthur, farm just under eighteen hectares across Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, Avize, and Vertus.
The domaine describes its farming as organic and biodynamic, with a restrained cellar approach. The wines are described as texturally pure, chalky, balanced, accessible young, and built to age for decades.
Hosted at Obélix
The lunch takes place at Obélix, a Chicago restaurant at 700 N Sedgwick St. The event description also connects the restaurant with brothers Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey, who are identified separately as restaurateurs and owners associated with Obélix.
Frequently asked questions
Who is presenting the wines?
Arthur Larmandier is the presenting winemaker for Champagne Larmandier-Bernier at this lunch.
What is the format of the event?
The event is a winemaker lunch and seated vertical tasting, with wines paired to lunch courses.
Which wines are highlighted?
The highlighted wines include Terre de Vertus brut nature, Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru, Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru, Coteaux Champenois Rouge from Vertus, and Longitude 1er Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs in magnum. Exact wines and vintages are subject to change.
Where is the lunch held?
The lunch is held at Obélix, a restaurant in Chicago at 700 N Sedgwick St.
What is the published price?
The published ticket price is $495 plus tax.
Hosts & guests
Arthur Larmandier
Winemaker · Larmandier-Bernier
Featured venues & producers
Obélix
Chicago
Larmandier-Bernier
Vertus