Best Champagne food pairings
Best food with champagne are obviously raw oysters or salty appetizers you eat during a reception. It`s the classic pairing but champagne is more versatile than this. You can pair it with many dishes you did not think about.
You only need to choose your champagne depending on the food you want to enjoy or vice versa. Let`s take a look!
What is Champagne?
Champagne is a sparkling wine that has been produced in the Champagne region of France since the early 17th century. It is made from a blend of grapes, primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The grapes are grown in the cool climate of the Champagne and fermented using traditional methods to give it its signature flavor and effervescence.
The production process for Champagne is complex and consists of blending the wines as well as bottling them before the secondary fermentation. This includes allowing the wine to undergo secondary fermentation in bottles, which produces its unique bubbly texture.
After this process, it can take years before it reaches maturity and can be released as a quality product on the market.
Remember champagne is supposed to be drunk while it is young. Try to drink it 2-3 years after the bottle was disgorged.
Champagne styles
Champagne has been a long-standing symbol of luxury and celebration. While the bottle you choose for your occasion may depend on personal preference, there are several distinct styles of sparkling wine to pick from.
Vintage champagne
Vintage champagne is made using grapes from a single year’s harvest. These bottles have an emphasis on complexity and quality, with specific flavor profiles that correspond with the weather patterns of their particular year.
Non vintage champage or Brut sans année
BSA (brut sans année – non vintage) is a blend of multiple years’ harvests, designed to create consistent flavors over time while still allowing for a minimum of variation within each batch.
Blanc de Noirs
Blanc de Noirs is a sparkling wine made entirely from black grape varieties like Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, resulting in a crisp yet full-bodied wine that stands out in both flavor and color.
Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a sparkling wine made entirely from white grapes and is known for its lightness and elegance. This type of Champagne comes from the Chardonnay grape, one of the most iconic white varieties in the world, making it a classic choice for celebratory occasions.
Vintage Champagne
Vintage Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that has been aged for at least three years before release. It’s known for its unique flavor, complexity and age-worthiness.
Vintage Champagne is made from grapes grown in one single year, giving it an added level of distinction and identity. There are both advantages and disadvantages to drinking vintage Champagne.
On the plus side, these bottles often have more intense aromas and flavors than non-vintage bubbly because of their aging process. They also tend to be pricier due to their sought after nature but can prove to be worth the investment as they often age well over time with potential for high returns.
Additionally, some vintage wines are rare finds, making them highly collectible items with the potential to increase in value over time.
Non Vintage Champagne – Brut Sans Année (BSA)
Non vintage Champagne is a sparkling wine made from grapes grown in multiple years and blended together by the winemakers. It has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, with many people opting for non vintage Champagne over other types of sparkling wines. The classic taste of non vintage Champagne comes from the blending of different vintages, which allows producers to create a consistent flavor and style.
The main advantage to non vintage Champagne is its affordability compared to other types of sparkling wines. Non vintage champagnes are typically less expensive than their single-year counterparts due to the use of multiple vintages in their production.
Furthermore, they tend to be more reliable when it comes to flavor as well, since they’re produced with consistent techniques year after year.
Blanc de Noirs Champagne
When it comes to Champagne, Blanc de Noirs is an iconic blend. It is a sparkling wine made from red grapes, which makes for a unique and delicious flavor. This type of Champagne boasts a rich complexity that sets it apart from other varieties.
The two main varietals used in Blanc de Noirs are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, both of which are red grape varieties native to the Champagne region of France. The name “Blanc de Noirs” translates literally as “white from black”.
The tartness of the Pinot Noir gives it raspberry aromas while the rounder Pinot Meunier brings cherry flavors and caramel notes to the mix.
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a type of bubbly, golden-hued wine created with Chardonnay grapes grown in the premier Champagne wine-producing regions of France.
Its name translates to “white from whites,” referencing its light hue and the fact that it is made solely from white grapes.
The unique flavor profile of this champagne can be attributed to the Chardonnay grape variety used in its production process. Depending on the fermentation of the Chardonnay grapes the sparkling wine can have different notes.
Yeasty brioche notes with a buttery taste are found when the sparkling wine was kept for a long time over yeast during the fermentation.
Alternatively you can find Blanc de Blancs Champagne with citrus fruit notes if the sparkling wine was stored over yeast for a short time.
Rosé champagne
Rosé Champagne is a luxurious and delicious sparkling wine that can make any occasion special. Made from red and white grapes, Rosé Champagne is made in the traditional method using the same fermentation process as white and sparkling wines. The difference lies in its beautiful pink hue, which comes from macerated red grapes added to the blend.
Champagne enthusiasts will love this delightful and balanced beverage that has a complex flavor profile with notes of strawberries, raspberries, citrus and florals.
The combination of fruity notes makes it perfect for pairing with light appetizers such as smoked salmon or sushi, while its delicate finish also makes it ideal for sipping solo throughout an evening.
With a low acidity level compared to other wines, Rosé Champagne delivers soft tannins on the palate that linger delicately after each sip.
Sweetness levels of Champagne
Champagne is known for its delicious bubbles and sophisticated flavor profile. But did you know that Champagne can range from sweet to dry, depending on the amount of residual sugar present? Depending on your taste preference, there are a variety of sweetness levels for Champagne that you may want to explore. They range from bone dry extra brut to sweet champagne.
What determines the sweetness of champagne?
The sweetness level of Champagne is determined by the amount of residual sugar left in the bottle after fermentation. The drier style of Champagnes have little or no residual sugar while sweeter styles have a higher degree of residual sugar.
For example, Brut nature champagne has no added dosage and is considered very dry while Demi-Sec sweet champagne contains more than 50 grams per liter and can be quite sweet. The most popular style enjoyed today lies somewhere between – Extra Dry contains 12-20 grams per liter and Brut Nature contains 0-6 grams per liter.
Champagne sweetness level
The basic rule when pairing is that the sweetness level in your Champagne should be equal to or slightly sweeter than your food. You’ll also want to consider both dishes’ respective flavors and textures. This will influence which type of Champagne pairs best with it. For example, lighter foods like fish or salads pair better with a Brut Champagne. Heavier dishes such as roasted meats or cream sauces require richer varieties like vintage or rosé Champagnes.
Do you drink Champagne with food?
Champagne is a deliciously sparkling beverage enjoyed all around the world. Whether it’s sipped from flutes or poured into punch bowls, champagne has become a staple of many celebrations and dinner parties. But should you drink champagne with food?
The answer to this question largely depends on your personal preference. If you are looking for an accompaniment to a meal that will tantalize the taste buds, then yes – drinking champagne with food can be a great option!
It’s light, bubbly texture pairs well with both cured meats, savory and sweet dishes alike, making it perfect for any occasion. Furthermore, its neutral flavor won’t overpower subtle flavors in more delicate dishes like seafood or fried chicken.
What finger food goes with Champagne
Champagne is one of the most popular drinks for special occasions and celebrations. It’s important to make sure that guests have some delicious champagne food to eat with their sparkling wine. Champagne food are quick and easy snacks that are best served at parties or gatherings when drinks like Champagne are present.
What finger food to choose?
When choosing finger food to pair with bubbly Champagne, opt for light bites like small canapés, mini quiches, or bite-sized tartlets. These types of foods provide a fun, yet elegant display for your party table. You can also add flavorful dips and spreads like hummus or salsa to accompany an array of vegetable crudités and crunchy crackers. And don’t forget the cheese or cured meats!
Best Champagne with cheese
A pairing of champagne and cheese is a classic combination that can make any occasion feel festive. Not only are these two ingredients delicious on their own, but when combined they create an indulgent snacking experience.
When selecting which champagne to pair with cheese or creamy cheese, consider the intensity of the bubbly’s flavor as well as its sweetness level. A dry sparkling wine will be less sweet than a sweeter variety like demi-sec or doux.
Additionally, some champagnes have subtle hints of citrus or other fruity flavors. They can bring out certain notes in different types of cheese. For instance, soft and creamy cheese like brie often pairs nicely with extra brut sparkling wines that have notes of apple or pear.
Grilled cheese goes well with a Blanc de blancs champagne or sparkling wine with a crisp acidity and citrus notes
Best food with extra dry champagne
Brut nature or zero dosage champagne is very dry with a very fine fruitiness. It pairs well with salty savory dishes like lobster or roast turkey or fried chicken.
An extra dry champagne with a larger amount of vin de reserve suits very well with deep fried foods as churros. It may look like a contrast to the salty, savory flavors in the deep fried dishes described above.
You surely see the parallel in deep fried fatty, salty/sugary food matching extra brut champagne. It`s a lively champagne breaking through the oily taste without reducing the pleasure of the salty or sugary taste.
A dish which combines both saltiness and sweetness is a corn dog. You can easily pair a couple of corn dogs with a glass of zero dosage champagne.
Extra brut champagne we recommend:
Best Champagne with steak and fries
Brut champagne is the most common dosage with a market volume of > 90 %. Therefore it`s very easy to find a champagne for your favorite food. Very good matches to brut champagne are dishes with a salty fatty flavor. They complement the mineral, slightly acidic but fruity aroma of the sparkling wine.
Champagne with crisps? This is a combination you would expect in a pub with a pint of lager. We can absolutely recommend this pairing as an aperitif. The salty, fatty and slight vinegary taste of the crisps underlines the minerality and fruitiness of a white brut champagne.
Steak with fries or fried potatoes: Does this sound strange to you? You will be leaving the classic path but it`s absolutely worth a try. The salty fatty flavor of the French fries or potatoes underlines the mineral, fruity flavor of the champagne. The bubbly texture as well as the slight acidity will cut through the richness of the steak. Keep in mind that sauces will strongly influence the overall taste.
Brut Champagne we suggest
- Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut EU – USA
- Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut EU – USA
- Champagne Yveline Prat Brut EU – USA
Best champagne with macaroni and cheese
A Blanc de Blancs champagne is exclusively made of grapes with white skin mostly from chardonnay grapes. The champagne has a bright acidity and dryness. This opens different choices of food. You can pick the classic pairings like caviar, oysters light fish and creamy soups.
What about comfort food? A poutine with smoked gouda or macaroni and cheese? The buttery taste of the Blanc de Blancs accompanies the unctuous aroma. At the same time, it cuts through the combo of French fries and cheese or macaroni and cheese without overpowering the aroma of the food.
Blanc de Blancs champagne we like:
- Cuvee des Chevaliers – P Lancelot Royer, Blanc de Blancs EU – USA
- L`Ambitieuse – Pertois-Lebrun, Blanc de Blancs EU – USA
- Les Crayeres Grand Cru – Champagne Vauversin, Blanc de Blancs EU – USA
Best champagne with a falafel sandwich
Blanc de Noirs champagne can be made from Petit Meunier and Pinot Noir. You need to differ between these two variants.
A blanc de meunier pairs well with a falafel sandwich. The strong, rustic aroma of a blanc de meunier adds crunch and freshness to this greasy dish.
An oaky blanc de noirs made from pinot noir goes well with a pulled pork bao. The mineral finish of the champagne suits well with the shredded texture of the meat as well as with the fine spices.
Blanc de Noirs champagne we recommend:
- Champagne Devaux – Blanc de Noirs Coeur des Bar EU – USA
- Champagne H. Blin – Blanc de Noirs EU – USA
- Champagne Barnaut – Blanc de Noirs Brut EU – USA
Best food with rosé champagne
The rosé champagne`s salinity, fruitiness and at the same time wine like character make it a versatile partner for any meal. You can pair it with your starter, main course, and dessert. Have you ever thought about having a champagne dinner? Pink champagne can be the best choice for it!
Rosé champagne from Les Riceys
Rosé champagne is produced by most champagne houses. This pink sparkling wine is a nice alternative to its white counterpart. Very special pink champagne is made in the region of Les Riceys. The champagne has very intense aroma and can be compared to red wine.
When it comes to selecting the perfect food pairing for Champagne, Les Riceys is a great choice. Produced in the south-east of France near Troyes and Bar-sur-Aube, this unique appellation produces Champagnes that are renowned for their distinct taste and flavor.
Les Riceys is known for producing some of the most extensive and diverse styles of wine in the region. A variety of dry, semi-dry and sweet wines is available to suit all tastes.
Depending on whether you chose a dry or sweet sparkling wine, there are various options to explore when deciding what type of food will pair well with it.
You can pair with champagne from the Riceys region foie gras. To be more specific the perfect wine with a foie gras is a Blanc de Noirs from Riceys.
Best champagne with grilled duck
Roast Duck or fried chicken with their sweet fatty aroma go very well with pink champagne. The acidity cuts through the fatty taste. The fruity and saline aroma brings forth the rich meaty notes of the grilled poultry.
Best champagne with seafood
Do you fancy seafood? A seafood ceviche with acidic berries (e.g., raspberries) and popcorn. The salinity notes of the champagne add to the iodine flavor of the sea fruit. The fruity aroma of the champagne complements the acidic berry flavor.
Best Champagne with burger
Do you like rosé champagne? Yes? Then this is for you. A juicy smash burger is a wonderful match with a brut rosé champagne from „les Riceys“. Les Riceys is a region which produces rosé champagne (saignee method) with a strong red wine like aroma. The tannins in this champagne correspond well with the juicy smash burger.
Best Champagne with pizza
Pizza and champagne are a classic combination. Whether you’re celebrating an event or simply having a night in, there’s nothing quite like pizza and champagne to set the tone.
The first step is to consider the type of pizza that you will be enjoying. This will help determine what kind of champagne should be served alongside it.
For example, if your pizza has a lot of garlicky flavors then a zero dosage or brut nature champagne would pair well with the dish. Sweeter options like a classic brut champagne may work better with fruitier pizzas.
Pink champagne with pizza
Pink champagne also pairs well with comfort food like a pizza. The acidity and berry fruit aromas go well with the tomato sauce and the creaminess of the cheese.
Rosé champagne we recommend:
- Les Riceys Brut, Elise Dechannes, Champagne Rose EU – USA
- Les Riceys, Pascal Benoist, Brut Rose EU – USA
- Moet et Chandon – Nectar Imperial Rose EU – USA
- Veuve Cliquot – Brut Rose EU – USA
Best food with demi sec (sweet) champagne
Now we`re at the end of our menu. Demi sec champagne goes well with cheese or a fruity dessert. You can choose fruit desserts or a lemon tart.
You can also drink demi sec champagne as a company to charred octopus or even popcorn. The sweetness of the champagne matches extremely well with the buttery flavor of the popcorn.
It`s unconventional but have you ever thought about watching a football game with demi sec champagne and popcorn instead of a beer? – Enjoy.
Demi sec champagne we suggest:
- Veuve Cliquot – Demi Sec
- Laurent Perrier – Harmony Demi Sec
- Beau Joie Sugar King – Demi-Sec
Champagne pairing guide
You already know the versatility of Champagne but there`s a lot more to it. We wrote a short guide to pair your favorite drink with food. You`ll be able to have an entire menu with Champagne as a drink.
We covered most combinations. In case there`re other dishes you like to pair with Champagne which we did not mention, point them out to us.
