Each restaurant had to prepare hors d’oeuvres seasoned with various spices and pair them with one of three champagnes from the Nicolas Feuillatte range: the Brut Premier Cru, the Brut Rosé and the Blanc de Blancs. Prizes included etched design ice buckets as well as a Mathusalem, Jeroboams and Magnums of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne.

Michael Fortenbaugh, Commodore of the Manhattan Sailing Club awarded the Regatta’s first prize to Chanterelle, who triumphed by winning all three races with panache. Landmarc came out second and Provence third. “For those lucky people who were there,” says Fortenbaugh, “it was one of those great New York experiences. Good sailing, good champagne, good food and good company all wrapped up into one evening.”

“The chefs all did an amazing job,” says Bell, “crafting hors d’oeuvres that reveal the freshness and character of the champagne. The spices really brought out the aromas of the wine, for after all, Champagne is a wine, not just a party drink, and it is one that can beautifully accompany the most refined dishes.”

Thanks to mentions of the event in The New York Times, Time Out and the New York Post, the general public also got to taste all the pairings and the crowd happily cheered for their favorite restaurant during the award ceremony. For the occasion, Emmanuelle Chiche, the Bubble Lounge’s PR Director, had specially booked Paprika, an all women band singing in four languages. This gave the event a worldly and festive feel. “We’re looking forward to organizing next year’s regatta!” says Chiche. “The momentum is there for next Spring.” All proceeds from the evening went to the Manhattan Sailing Club teenage sailing program.