The third annual Cows 'n Cabs event took place last Saturday evening in Winter Park’s Central Park West Meadow at 150 North New York Avenue. This fundraiser event benefits non-profit charities that assist families in need within the Central Florida area.

The western-themed wine and food event featured live entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle with all proceeds benefitting Coalition for the Homeless and Community Food and Outreach.

Our Guests had the opportunity to sample fine dishes from 18 of Winter Park's finest restaurants and over 200 wines, spirits and craft beers. 

Our special guests and sponsors this year were brother and sister François and Agnès Moutard, owners of Champagne Moutard

The Moutard-Diligent family can trace its roots in Champagne back to 1642, and its vine-growing history spans centuries; the family first produced Champagne under its own name in the 1920s. Moutard-Diligent winery is located in the village of Buxeuil in the Côte des Bar. Buxeuil is located in the southernmost part of Champagne just north of Chablis, which explains the particularity of its terroir: the soil here is predominantly the same kimmeridgian limestone found in Chablis.

Our Guests at Cows’n Cabs were able to sample four different cuvées of Moutard Champagnes: Brut, Brut Rosé, Demi-Sec and The Cuvée des Six Cépages.

One of the most exciting Champagnes available anywhere is an unusual blend of six of the seven grapes authorized by the Champagne appellation, that François calls Cuvée des Six Cépages. It is an equal parts blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot-Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Arbane and Petit-Meslier

Arbane and Petit-Meslier are the two Champagne grape varieties that have been ignored by most growers in the region because both are “late ripeners,” but when planted on the best southern-facing slopes and in the hands of a skillful winemaker, they bring new levels of fruit and complexity to the blend, which makes the Cuvée des Six Cépages a must-taste for every Champagne aficionado.

All four Moutard Champagnes poured at Cows’n Cabs are available for purchase at most ABC Fine Wine & Spirits stores: 

Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée - $34.99

Moutard Rosé de Cuvaison - $39.99

Moutard Demi-Sec - $32.99

Moutard Cuvée des Six Cépages - $56.99

Also available now in select stores is a very special and rare cuvée of 100% Arbane priced at $99.99.

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwineatanas