Fried Chicken & Champagne
PRESENTED BY DONALD THOMPSON
WITH the wine vaulT
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the Champagne, of course!
Get ready to delight your taste buds with one of the most surprising yet sensational pairings—Fried Chicken and Champagne! It may seem an odd pairing, perhaps because Champagne is taken so seriously - reserved often for special occasions - while fried chicken is considered an everyday dish. But somm’s can attest that these two are the yin to each other’s yang. The most perfectly matched of odd couples!
Join Charlotte Wine + Food for a charity fundraiser pop-up on Sunday, December 15 at 1:00 pm at The Wine Vault - Elizabeth to celebrate the heavenly pairing at what will be the ultimate Sparkling Sunday Funday Holiday Party. Indulge in the finest bubbly, including exclusive and vintage Champagnes from the private cellar of CW+F patron Donald Thompson, complemented by current release selections from Tim Wallace of the Wine Vault, available for purchase. These exquisite Champagnes will be paired with classic fried chicken and sides from The Chicken Shop at Market Express, often acclaimed as the best fried chicken in Charlotte (based in a gas station at the corner of East and South Boulevard). If that’s not enough, the experience will begin with Ruffles potato chips, crème fraîche, and caviar!
Hey chicky, chicky…yeah, we are looking at you. Cross that road and come sip, savor, and enjoy a bubbling good time—it’s an experience you’ll be craving long after the last glass is poured!
Proceeds support upward mobility opportunities for children in Charlotte and benefit Augustine Literacy Project - Charlotte, Digi-Bridge, and Wayfinders.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday, December 15
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: 401 Hawthorne Lane #130, Charlotte, NC 28204
Special Guests / Master of Ceremonies: Tim Wallace, Owner - The Wine Vault
Donald Thompson - Champagne Aficonado and CW+F Patron
Tickets: $250/person plus tax
Service is included in the ticket price and $50 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
This experience is limited to 40 guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.
This event will be in a causal walk-around format. Some seating will be present but guests should plan to mix and mingle throughout the event.
Hosted by Charlotte Wine + Food Executive Director, Lauren Deese.
MENU & FEATURED WINES
WELCOME RECEPTION
Ruffles Potato Chips, Crème Fraîche, Caviar
Louis Dumont Premier Cru Brut - tasting / for sale
Pierre Moncuit “Hughes de Coulmet” Blanc de Blanc Brut - limited tasting / for sale
MEAL & MAIN TASTING
Fried Chicken and Assorted Sides
from the Chicken Store at Market Express
2012 Louis Roederer Cristal - tasting only
Louis Roederer “Collection 243” - tasting / for sale
Laurent Perrier Brut Rosé - tasting / for sale
2015 Roederer “Philippe Starck” Brut Nature Rosé - tasting / for sale
2012 Billecart-Salmon “Cuvée Elisabeth” Brut Rosé - tasting only
Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois- tasting / for sale
2000 Krug - tasting only
Krug Grande Cuvée - tasting / for sale
DESSERT
Cookies by Honeybear Bake Shop
Due to the nature of the event, dietary restrictions may not be accommodated.
SPECIAL GUESTS
DONALD THOMPSON | PASSIONATE CHAMPAGNE AFICIONADO / COLLECTOR AND CHARLOTTE WINE + FOOD PATRON
Donald Thompson is a passionate Champagne aficionado and because of his generosity, this event is possible. Along with Tim Wallace, they’ll serve as your master of ceremonies!
TIM WALLACE | OWNER - THE WINE VAULT AND HEAD WINO
Looking for part-time work, Tim started working at The Wine Vault in 1996 while getting his degree in Marketing and City Planning at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After moving to pursue a career in distribution, Tim was approached by the owners of The Wine Vault with the opportunity to buy the store. Tim was able to take the small wine shop and turn it into one of Charlotte’s premier gourmet wine destinations. In addition to growing the business, he has taken The Wine Vault’s role in the community and given back to multiple areas including UNC Charlotte, Time Out Youth, and Charlotte Wine & Food Week. This past year, Tim opened a second location in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood. Tim focuses his time on continuing to build that desire to learn in all his patrons, making sure to offer wine education tastings, wine dinners, and plenty of the best wine and beer on the shelves.