Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
Bubbles and Books in the Blue Ridge
Downtown Asheville · Asheville · Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The name tells you everything: this is a champagne bar inside a used bookstore, and somehow it works perfectly. The list leans hard into bubbles—Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta, even some Virginia sparklers—with enough depth to surprise anyone who thinks this is just a novelty concept. It's quirky Asheville at its best.
Selection Deep Dive
The champagne selection punches above its weight for a mountain town wine bar. You'll find grower Champagnes from Pierre Gimonnet and Larmandier-Bernier sitting alongside more accessible Veuve Clicquot and Nicolas Feuillatte. The Cava game is strong—Raventós i Blanc and Gramona show up regularly—and they've got a soft spot for French and Italian still wines that complement the bubbly focus. Burgundy gets proper attention with selections from Domaine Faiveley and Louis Jadot, and there's a small but thoughtful selection of Rhône and Loire Valley bottles. The list isn't massive, but it's curated with actual thought.
By the Glass
By-the-glass pours rotate through 8-10 options with a clear champagne-first philosophy. You'll typically find one grower Champagne, one Cava or Prosecco, and a rotating cast of still whites and reds that lean French. Pours are generous and priced in the $12-18 range for most options, with champagne glasses running $16-24. The rotation happens monthly, sometimes more frequently if something sells through fast.
Raventós i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia — $42
This Cava drinks like $70 Champagne—chalky, complex, with real aging potential. Made from indigenous Catalan grapes using the traditional method, it's proof that Spain's best sparklers can hang with anything from Reims.
Pierre Gimonnet Cuis 1er Cru Brut
Grower Champagne from a Chardonnay specialist that most people skip because they don't recognize the name. Pure CĂ´te des Blancs terroir at a fraction of what the big houses charge for similar quality.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
At $95 a bottle, you're paying the brand tax. Nothing wrong with the wine, but you can do so much better with literally any of their grower Champagne options for less money.
Gramona Imperial Brut Gran Reserva + Cheese and Charcuterie Board
The extended aging on this Cava gives it enough richness and oxidative notes to stand up to aged cheeses and cured meats. The Spanish-to-Spanish logic works, and the bubbles cut through the fat like a pro.
🎲 The Bottom Line
This is the rare concept spot that actually delivers on wine. Yes, you're drinking champagne surrounded by used paperbacks, but the list is serious and the staff knows their bubbles. Absolutely worth a visit if you're in Asheville and want something more interesting than another brewery.
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