Bubbles in Brussels

(La Champagnothèque © Ivan Put)

As an eventful year draws to a close, we refuse to take our cue from the currently dominant prescription of austerity. We have surely earned a little treat… So here we present five spots where the best bubbles of the Champagne district can be found here in Brussels.


La Champagnothèque
The Brussels film-lover Eric Vauthier first opened his Champagnothèque in the Koningsgalerij/Galerie du Roi, but he has since moved to Magdalenastraat/rue de la Madeleine. There, he has opened an even more handsome establishment that lends itself to a variety of purposes. You can drop in for an occasional glass with friends, take part in a group tasting, or see about a well-advised purchase of a number of bottles. Wines from ten champagne houses can always be bought by the flute, for between 12 and 30 euro a glass. You can also opt for a tasting palette with three or even six different champagnes. In total, some 150 different brands are on sale, from the great houses and special vintages (millésimes), as well as a number of smaller growers. Vauthier also organises guided tastings and travels to the Champagne district – and is also the driving force behind the new champagne bar at the Brussels opera house.
• Magdalenastraat 11 rue de la Madeleine, Brussel/Bruxelles, 02-223.20.20, champagnotheque.com, di/ma/Tu > za/sa/Sa 12 > 0.00, zo/di/Su 12 > 23.00


La Cave à Vin
La Cave à Vin (formerly Mamzelle Pinard) is a pleasant wine bar at the start of rue du Lombardstraat, where there are always lots of passers-by. Since François-Xavier de Beukelaer got involved, the little bar now also has a heated terrasse. Your hostess is still the jovial Valérie, who sets out to ensure that your “after-work” or “before-party” drinks will be a convivial occasion.

(© Ivan Put)

La Cave à Vin serves champagne by Paul Berthelot, who have been producing the stuff for three generations now and offer an extensive selection. Their vineyards cover a mere twelve hectares and production is organised, as far as possible, on craft and organic lines. The cheapest bubbles here cost 9.50 euro a glass. Their other wines are often organic, craft produce too, as are the delicious French cheeses and terrines you can wash down with them.
• rue du Lombardstraat 4, Brussel/Bruxelles, 0493-50.71.58, www.lacaveavin.be, 7/7, 16 > 22.00


Wine in the City
Wine in the City is at once a wine shop and a restaurant. The decor is lively and the approach to gastronomy is refreshing. You can, moreover, be sure of getting expert advice on combining wine with good food, at reasonable prices. This year, the place won “Bib Gourmand” recognition.

(© Ivan Put)

Recommended for anyone who likes to sample festive-season wines before buying, as well as for anyone who just likes a glass. The large blackboard always offers a (frequently changing) array of champagne and other sparkling wines. On 20 December, the Collet champagne house will be along for a tasting that will go on all day long.
• Koningin Astridplein 34 place Reine Astrid, Jette, 02-420.09.20, www.wineinthecity.be, di/ma/Tu > za/sa/Sa 10.30 > 18.30


The Crazy Circle
The Crazy Circle is the party venue on this list. The club is proud of its champagne bar, which also serves bubbly from other parts of the world (such as crémant de Bourgogne, prosecco, and cava) at very reasonable prices.

(© Ivan Put)

They serve excellent tapas too and host concerts and DJs with a preference for soul, jazz, funk, and everything calculated to evoke some vintage atmosphere. On Friday 19 December, the Crazy Circle is staging another burlesque evening to help you get into a festive mood.
• Koninklijke Prinsstraat 11 rue du Prince Royal, Elsene/Ixelles, 02-540.84.05, www.thecrazycircle.com, di/ma/Tu > do/je/Th 18.30 > 1.00, vr/ve/Fr & za/sa/Sa 19.30 > 3.00


Alex & Alex
A wee while ago, Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII and Kristina T’Seyen had the idea of combining the delights of champagne and chocolate. To that end, they asked master chocolatier Frederic Blondeel to create a range of special thin chocolate bars with a variety of flavours.

(© Luc Hilderson)

With the expertise they have built up, Alex & Alex now regularly holds chocolate and champagne tastings at unusual Brussels locations such as the Taschen shop on the Zavel/Sablon or a house on the Grote Markt/Grand-Place. They have also set up Wine for Girls, an e-commerce platform with lots of tips for a specific target group.
• 0476-61.23.45, www.alex-alex.com