Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

The star lot of Christie's upcoming Fine and Rare Wines sale is 100 years old and comes with a private dinner by one of the America's top chefs.

A collector's case of six 750ml bottles of the legendary Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 1911 will hit the auction block Saturday.  The lot is estimated to fetch $30,000 to $50,000 and all proceeds will go to The Lunchbox Fund, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of impoverished and at-risk students in South African township high schools.

To celebrate the occasion, the successful bidder and a guest will be invited to a dinner hosted by Chef Mario Batali at one of his New York City restaurants.  The dinner will include accompanying vintage champagnes selected by Moet & Chandon chef de cave Benoit Gouez, including a bottle of the rare 1911 vintage.

Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 1911 is one of the world's most sought after champagnes.  Even at the time of its harvest some 100 years ago the vintage was recognized by the chef de cave of Moet & Chandon as "memorable."

"Although a champagne of this age would usually be a copper brown, Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is a beautiful pale yellow gold," says Tom Stevenson, who is considered the world's foremost expert on champagne.  "The nose is still floral and fruity and after a century, it's still bubbly on the palate.  Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is a superb vintage champagne, both elegantly mature and deliciously lively."

For the past 100 years the champagne has been stored in Moet & Chandon's cellars and the bottles were disgorged only in early 2011.

The Fine & Rare Wines sale at Christie's will be held at Rockefeller Center, bidding starts at 10am Saturday.

Mario Batali is a board member and ambassador of The Lunchbox Fund, which was established by philanthropist Topaz Page-Green.  Other celebrity ambassadors include Gwyneth Paltrow, Salman Rushdie, Joaquin Phoenix, Jim Dine, Francesco Clemente and Michael Stipe.

"As someone who is passionate about food and wine, I am thrilled to be supporting, alongside my friend Mario Batali, Moet & Chandon's generous efforts to raise money through the auction of a rare case of Grand Vintage 1911 champagne," said Gwyneth Paltrow about the sale.  "As a mother, there is nothing dearer to my heart than ensuring all children receive exactly what The Lunchbox Fund's essential work ensures - a nutritious meal and an education."