Cocktail Corner: Champagne Tasting at First & Oak

La Grande Réserve, Château de Bligny, by Simon Law, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

La Grande Réserve, Château de Bligny, by Simon Law, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg 

Any event at Solvang’s First & Oak is sure to be a treat, and they’re upping their game even further for the holidays with a special Champagne Tasting event on December 10. The event, which runs from 1-3 p.m., includes tastes of ten sparkling wines and champagnes, and light hors d’oeuvres carefully-crafted by First & Oak’s Executive Chef Steven Snook to pair with the wines.

In addition, First & Oak’s Sommelier, Jonathan Rosenson, will be on-hand to lead guests through the exclusive sparkling wine tasting, explaining how each wine sampled showcases specific points in the wide range of flavor profiles, regions and values.

First & Oak Champagne Tasting featured bubbles include:

2004 Dom Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne
2010 Pehu Simonet “Fins Lieux No.1” Blanc de Noirs, Grand Cru, Champagne
2004 Forest Marie Brut Millésimé, Trigny, Champagne

N.V Pierre Peters “Cuvee de Reserve,” Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Champagne
N.V Aubert Et Fils Brut Epernay, Champagne
N.V. Domaine Fouet, “Crémant de Loire,” Brut Rosé Cabernet Franc
2011 Boeckel, “Crémant d’Alsace,” Chardonnay Extra Brut
2009 La Montina Rose Extra Brut, Franciacorta, Italy
2012 Bernhard Riesling Sekt Brut, Germany
2013 Nigl, Sekt Rosé Brut, Kremstal, Austria

The special tasting, which is expected to become an annual event, is $85 per person in advance, or $95 per person at the door (ticket prices exclude tax).  In addition,  a portion of the proceeds ($10 per ticket) will be donated to the Santa Barbara Food Bank.

Reservations for First & Oak’s Champagne Tasting may be made in advance by contacting the restaurant: 805/688.1703 or info@mirabelleinn.com. Limited space available; reservations highly recommended. 

First & Oak is located at 409 First St. (at the corner of Oak Street) in Solvang

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

 Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 2, 2016.