Champagne is the perfect drink to enjoy at a special occasion. With the perfect Champagne food pairing, you can enjoy it even more. Read on to get our expert tips on foods to eat with Champagne so you can make the most of your next bottle. Whether you're looking to impress your guests or just enjoying a glass of bubbly by yourself, you'll know exactly what foods to pair your bottle with.
Table of Contents:
- Food pairing with Champagne according to the Champagne style
- Food pairing with Rosé Champagne
- Food pairing with Blanc de Blancs Champagne
- Food pairing with Blanc de Noirs Champagne
- Food pairing with Organic Champagne
- Food pairing with Champagne according to sweetness levels
- Food pairing with Zero Dosage Champagne
- Food pairing with Extra Brut Champagne
- Food pairing with Brut Champagne
- Food pairing with Sec Champagne
- Food pairing with Demi-Sec Champagne
- Food pairing with Doux Champagne
- So, to summarise...
Food pairing with Champagne according to the Champagne style
Champagne is a type of wine that is made from grapes grown specifically in the Champagne region of France. Since there are many different grape varieties that can be used in the production process, there are many different types of Champagne. From dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, Champagne comes in all sorts of flavours and styles. So, because all Champagnes taste different, they can be paired with different types of food. In this section, we will discuss each type of Champagne style and what foods go best with them.
Food pairing with Rosé Champagne
Rosé Champagnes are made with a blend of red and white grapes. Rosé wines have a beautiful pink hue from contact with the grape skins, which is what gives them their unique taste profile. They are usually dry, with hints of strawberries and other red fruits. When pairing Rosé Champagne with food, look for dishes that are not too heavy or greasy, as the acidity in the Champagne can accentuate these flavours. Instead, try lighter dishes like:
- Grilled salmon with a light dressing: A bottle of Rosé Champagne can add a touch of elegance to a salmon dish, while the fruitiness compliments the subtle notes of this fish.
- Vegetable soup: The lightness of the soup will be a perfect match for the delicate flavours of the Rosé Champagne.
- Roasted chicken with herbs: The herbs will be brought out by the Champagne, and the delicate taste of the chicken will not overpower the drink.
Food pairing with Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Blanc de Blancs Champagnes are made entirely from white grapes and are usually very dry with citrusy, floral notes. As they are quite light in body, they are best paired with similarly light dishes.
Try pairing Blanc de Blancs Champagne with:
- Seafood: Blanc de Blancs Champagne is the perfect pairing for seafood dishes like sushi, sashimi, oysters or scallops. The lightness of the Champagne doesn't overpower the delicate flavours of the seafood.
- Chicken: A Blanc de Blancs Champagne is also a great choice to pair with chicken dishes. The acidity in the Champagne will help to cut through the richness of the chicken and bring out the delicate taste of the meat.
- Salads: The lightness of Blanc de Blancs Champagne makes it the perfect pairing for salads. The acidity in the Champagne will help to brighten up the flavours of the vegetables and make them pop.
Food pairing with Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Blanc de Noirs Champagnes are made with 100% red grapes and tend to be full-bodied with bolder meals. This type of Champagne is best paired with heartier dishes that can stand up to its boldness.
Some great pairings for Blanc de Noirs Champagne are:
- Steak: The bold taste of a Blanc de Noirs Champagne is a perfect match for steak. Try pairing it with a Ribeye steak or a New York strip steak.
- Lamb: Blanc de Noirs Champagne is brilliant to pair with a rich lamb dish - like a rack of lamb or a lamb chop.
- Dark Chocolate: This Champagne is also a perfect match for the decadence and slight bitterness of dark chocolate. Pair it with a dark chocolate truffle or a dark chocolate bar.
Food pairing with Organic Champagne
Organic Champagnes are made with grapes that are grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. They tend to be lighter in body and have more subtle flavours. When pairing food with Organic Champagne, look for dishes that are not too heavy or overwhelming, as the delicate taste of this Champagne can be easily lost.
Try pairing Organic Champagne with:
- A green salad with a light vinaigrette: The delicate taste of the Champagne will be a perfect match for the mild, refreshing taste of the salad.
- Seared scallops: This airy seafood dish matches the light, delicate notes of the wine.
- Grilled shrimp with lemon: This refreshing dish will complement the light flavours of the Champagne.
Food pairing with Champagne according to sweetness levels
In addition to the different styles of Champagne, there are also different levels of sweetness. The sweetness level is determined by the amount of sugar that is added after the fermentation process. The sweeter the Champagne, the more sugar that has been added. Since everyone has different preferences for sweetness, there are many different levels to choose from. In this section, we will discuss each level of sweetness and what foods go best with them. We look at very dry Zero Dosage Champagnes that have no added sugar, to very sweet Doux Champagnes that taste like a dessert in a glass.
Food pairing with Zero Dosage Champagne
Zero Dosage Champagne is the driest style of Champagne and it has no sugar added after the fermentation process. Zero dosage Champagnes are perfect for pairing with food because they are not too sweet and they have a lot of acidity.
Foods that go well with this style of Champagne include:
- Lobster or crab: This dry and acidic Champagne pairs beautifully with the sometimes sweet and saltiness of seafood.
- Potatoes: Highly acidic wines pairs best with savoury, extremely flavourful foods. Fried potatoes with salt and Champagne make a lovely combination.
- Cheese: The punchiness of Zero Dosage Champagne complements rich cheeses perfectly.
Food pairing with Extra Brut Champagne
Extra Brut Champagne is a dry style of Champagne with very little sugar added. It is a great choice for food pairing because it has enough acidity to stand up to rich dishes, but is still refreshing.
Extra Brut Champagne pairs well:
- Foie Gras: Extra Brut pairs very well with fatty foods as it does not overwhelm the dish, nor is it out-shadowed by the flavours.
- Salty foods like oysters, caviar or sushi: the delicate taste of these dishes can be balanced by the tangy dryness of an Extra Brut Champagne.
- Charcuterie: The dryness of Extra Brut cuts through the fat in cured meats and balances the flavours perfectly.
Food pairing with Brut Champagne
Brut Champagne is a dry style of Champagne and it has a little bit of sugar added after the fermentation process, but still tastes dry to the palate. Brut Champagne is the most popular style of Champagne and it pairs well with dishes that are not too sweet.
Some great food pairings with Brut Champagne are:
- Oysters: The briny taste of oysters is enhanced by the acidity in Brut Champagne.
- Cheese platters: Always match cheese strength with Champagne strength. A salty, sweet and mature gouda cheese pairs well with Brut.
- Fried foods: Champagne doesn't just pair with luxury foods. Brut varieties pair beautifully with oily, crispy dishes too.
Food pairing with Sec Champagne
Sec Champagne is a semi-dry style of Champagne and it has more sugar added than Brut Champagne. The sugar makes it a little sweeter and less acidic. It can be paired with food that is not too sweet or too salty. Dishes that have cream, butter, or are slightly sweet go well with Sec Champagne.
Try it with:
- Pâté: The slight sweetness of Sec Champagne pairs well with the richness of pâté.
- Aged cheese: The slight sweetness of this Champagne can help to balance out the salty, punchy flavour of aged cheese.
- Fruit tarts: The sweetness of Sec Champagne enhances the taste of fruit tarts and other desserts.
Food pairing with Demi-Sec Champagne
When it comes to food pairing, Demi-Sec Champagne is often thought of as a versatile wine. Its sweetness can help to balance out richer dishes, making it a great choice for poultry or pork. For something lighter, try pairing Demi-Sec Champagne with:
- Sushi or sashimi: The bubbly acidity in Demi-Sec Champagne will provide a nice contrast to the rich fish.
- Poultry or pork: The sweetness of this Champagne can help to balance out richer dishes, making it a great choice for poultry or pork.
- Spicy dishes: The sweetness and bubbles can help to tame the heat of spicy dishes.
No matter what you choose to pair it with, be sure to serve Demi-Sec Champagne at a slightly warmer temperature than other types of Champagne. This will help to bring out its natural sweetness. Around 7°C (45°F) is ideal.
Food pairing with Doux Champagne
Doux Champagne is the sweetest style of Champagne and it has a lot of sugar added after the fermentation process. This makes it a great choice for dessert or as an aperitif. Try pairing Doux Champagne with:
- Chocolate desserts: The sweetness of the Champagne melds perfectly with sweet chocolate.
- Key lime pie: The sugar in this Champagne paired with key lime pie produces an elegant sweet and sour flavour.
- Spicy dishes: The sweetness of Doux Champagne can help offset the heat of spicy dishes.
So, to summarise...
Champagne is a very versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of different foods, and there is so much more to explore enjoying Champagne throughout a meal, not just as a drink before a meal. Whether you are looking for something to pair with seafood, poultry or pork, there is a style of Champagne that will work well with your dish. Make sure to take into account the sweetness of the Champagne and the flavours of the food you are pairing it with.
It's important that you don't forget to serve Champagne at the right temperature. Too cold and you won't be able to taste all of its complexities, too warm and it will lose its effervescence. For more information on Champagne, make sure to read our comprehensive Champagne Guide. You can also browse our range of Champagnes today to find the perfect bottle for your next meal. Cheers! - or rather - A votre santé!
