Winning Wine Wednesdays: RM Champagne Salon - Inspired By Royalty

Sought-after sommelier Jason Wagner, who formerly served as Wine Director alongside 28-time Michelin Star recipient Joël Robuchon, has announced that his progressive hospitality project, RM, will officially open to the public on August 2nd. 

Alongside the nationally-revered nightlife visionaries of Element Collective, Wagner will launch the 1,500 square foot high style champagne salon and spacious outdoor patio, which is discreetly tucked-away at the foot of a secluded cobblestone alley at 116 N. Green Street. 


Simply put, RM is Grower Champagne.  The designation RM is derived from the French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system’s classification of Champagne Houses; Récoltants Manipulants (RM), signifies an artisanal farmer who bottles his own wine.  Celebrating this passion and care, the salon will pay homage to these growers that rely solely on fruit from their own vineyards with inherently distinct terroir.   

Bringing a balance of knowledge and passion that will be an enriching testament to Chicago’s forward-thinking wine community, Wagner will tailor an obsessively curated portfolio, which will feature a large selection of estate-grown wines from these vignerons who are intensively involved from bud-break to bottling.

The accessibly elegant wine and Champagne salon draws its inspiration from the late actress, style-icon (think Kelly Croc handbag) and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly – her perennial embodiment of sophistication, glamour, and stunning self-possession serves as the ‘muse’ of RM’s design aesthetic.   

A warm, romantic ambiance will be nurtured by an abundance of fresh flowers throughout the intimate candle lit venue, while demure antique hand mirrors and vintage crystal perfume bottles line the bar.  The meticulously selected and sourced Champagne, sparkling and wine menu will be paired with an ambitiously esoteric cheese program, dainty tea sandwiches and canapés; refined petits fours, pastries and mignardises will be made in-house by Pastry Chef, Nate Meads.

RM's outdoor patio boasts seating for 150 and design accents include tea lights, laced from above. A high definition projector screen in the courtyard will play Fellini and French black and white films. 

Jason Wagner will be "sabering" champagne bottles with a sword on select occasions.  Wagner will also include large format bottles in his portfolio, and will send out exclusive "tweets" or social media postings letting people know when they can come in and try something tremendous by the glass from a magnum---an excellent opportunity, seeing that most of these offerings are traditionally only available by the bottle, which can be extremely expensive to purchase. It will give people the opportunity to check out amazing labels without having to commit to the bottle. 

The regular by-the-glass menu will change so frequently that it doesn't merit being included.  It should be noted, however, that there will always be at least one glass pour out of magnum (sparkling or still) and often two, three, or more. 

There will always be a bubbly glass pour under $10, a rosé bubbly glass pour under $15, and a few different options of Champagne by the glass that either feature different varieties or regions.  Still wines (by the glass)  will feature Champagnoise and Burgundian varieties--and always have either a glass pour that is a white wine made from red grapes or an orange wine.  

For more information, please visit www.rmchampagnesalon.com or call  312-243-1199.

Photo credits: Photos courtesy of RM (Re'coltant-Manipulant)