We're Spreading the News - Get Set for the First Annual New York Champagne Week!

photo courtesy Chris Chapman

Beginning Monday, November 4th, the beloved pop! will be heard all over Gotham for a multi-day fête showcasing the finest in Champagne! Organized by Citysip founder Blaine Ashley, the event will be a chance for the food and beverage industry, plus general bubbly lovin' public to delight in tasting boutique and major brands flown direct from the Champagne region of France. Through a variety of tasting events and festivities, New York Champagne Week will showcase the approachability and diversity of the wine that is synonymous with celebration and luxury.

We are excited about the many Champagne dinners and tastings going on in our home town, but perhaps the most anticipated event is the Champagne Cocktail Competition taking place on November 5th at the Experimental Cocktail Club.  Ten of the city's best bartenders will mix up cocktails featuring Billecart-Salmon Champagne using a variety of spirits including: Hendricks Gin, Milagro Tequila, Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky, Reyka Vodka,Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Plantation Rum, Pierre Ferrand Cognac and many others.

The competitors:

photo courtesy eric magnuson

Christian Self: Evelyn Drinkery MsFrankyFranky: The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog Adrienne Bayard: Saxon & Parole J Rosser Lomax Moses Laboy Alex Valencia: Flatiron Room Meagan Dorman: Raines Law Room Logan Ronkainen: Trattoria Il Mulino James Menite: Crown  Esteban Ordonez: Burning Waters Cantina

The judges:

Lynnette Marrero: Speed-rack 

Robert-Haynes Peterson: Examiner and AskMen.com beverage writer

Joshua Wortman: CitySip Editor and Añejo beverage director

Grand prize is 1k cash plus a magnum of Billecart-Salmon, truly one of the most exquisite bubblies on the market.

The party is open to the public, with a complimentary taste of the competition cocktails. Billecart-Salmon will be available for purchase by the glass. Signature Champagne cocktails and Billecart will also be available all night long following the actual competition.

For more information and tickets to Champagne Week events, please click here.

And here's a preview of some of the signature Champagne cocktails to be served during the events!

The Flower Girl by Tom Johnson, Extra Fancy

Pierre Marie Bisson making the Lumberjack Fizz at the Experimental Cocktail Club, Paris

2 oz (60 ml) Hendricks Gin .75 oz (22 ml) Dolin Blanc vermouth .75 oz (22 ml) Cocchi Americano 1 dash Scrappy's lavender bitters

Stir with ice until well chilled. Strain into flute glass. Top with Champagne.

Lumberjack Fizz by Pierre Marie Bisson, Experimental Cocktail Club, Paris

1.5 oz (45 ml) Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky 2 dashes chocolate bitters .25 oz (7 ml) maple syrup .5 oz (15  ml) lemon juice

eggwhite

Dry shake ingredients, then shake with ice until well-chilled. Double-strain into flute glass.  Top with Champagne. Sprinkle with freshly-scratched cinnamon.

Warsaw Morning by J Rosser Lomax

.75 oz (22 ml) grapefruit juice .5 oz (15 ml) St. Germain liqueur 1.5 oz (44ml)  Zubrowvka Vodka

Add all ingredients to flute glass and top with Champagne.