Regardless of what you are buying for mom, or where you are taking her to celebrate her special day on Sunday, pop the cork first on a bottle of the newest prestige vintage from Perrier-Jouët, its 1999 Fleur de Champagne. This prestige cuvée is blended exclusively in years that are marked by perfect weather conditions and a flawless harvest season. Since the 1964 vintage (which was released in 1969), only 17 subsequent vintages have been deemed worthy successors for the brand’s standard. This new vintage benefited from near-perfect harvest conditions in 1999: a cold but frostless winter followed by a moderate spring season, a warm and sunny summer, and capped off by a cool August, culminating in a flawless weather trifecta. Et voilà! The resulting Chardonnay wines are delicate, with heady, fruity aromas, while the Pinot Noir wines are light, bright, and fruit-driven. The resulting Fleur de Champagne is an elegant signature blend from Perrier-Jouët, and of course, delivered in the classic green, anemone-covered bottle.

It is one of the most delicious Champagnes you’ll taste and certainly perfect for Mom. It has a crisp and clean taste on the palate, with the slightest hint of almond and nougat, and a very long finish. Inhale its intoxicating scent and you’ll find that there are notes of white flowers (think gardenias and paper narcissus), a touch of honey, and a mind suggestion of a toasty brioche. It is just heavenly. The 1999 Fleur de Champagne retails for $125, and as the L’Oreal commercials suggest, your mom is worth it. 

Just about the time last month that we were telling you about that "sneaky" Loehmann's opening on Broadway and 73rd Street, another stealthy retail debut occurred nearby, one that we have been meaning to write up and share with you. The shop is called Just Birdie, with homage paid to golfers (as its name implies), but its merch is not solely for duffers at all; "civilians" will find the stock alluring enough (and prices compelling enough) to make this shop a destination. And indeed, it's a darling, jewel-box-size store with wonderful cashmere-and-silk-blend sweaters, all of which would look very spiffy on the golf course. (The exterior of the shop is decorated with little vignettes picturing St. Andrews, and plaid seems to be the major design element on the interior -- so Scotland and golf are definitely part of the company's inspiration.)

Started in France in 1996, the company has five stores in Europe and the one here at 2047 Broadway btw. 70th & 71st Sts. is the first in the U.S. There are well-priced styles for both sexes, and classics include turtle-, crew-, boat-, and V-necks, zip fronts and traditional cardigans, polos, T-shirt styles, and much, much more. Prices range from $89 to $165 for men, and from $79 to $165 for women, but there are accessories, wraps, and scarves in the store that are lower-priced. There are nearly three-dozen rich colors in the company?s yarn palette, ranging from delicate violet to deep russet.  

And just in time for Mother's Day, the shop is offering 10% off your purchases (if you mention that you read about it here), and considering that these are such well-priced sweaters to begin with, it?s a steal. So, forget scoring a birdie -- the shop is a hole-in-one!  

The teachers from the design and art/craft departments at the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side are holding a sale of their works next week, just in time for Mother’s Day. It will take place in the lobby of the JCC building on May 8 and 9, Tuesday from 11am to 8pm and Wednesday from 11am to 6pm. We’ve written up the instructors’ December holiday sale before, and know from first-hand experience that they showcase beautiful goods for reasonable prices (ranging from $15 to $500). You’ll find handmade jewelry (gold, silver, glass, and beaded bijoux), ceramics, scarves, pillows, and much more. Shown here is a handmade, one-of-a-kind, show-stopping necklace from artist Melissa Terman. If you’re on the Upper West Side those days, stop in, as you will not be disappointed…and hopefully, your mom will not be, either!  The JCC is located at 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76 St.  (Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.)