wine

Champagne and Cheese

Champagne and Cheese is a classic combination. You don't normally want to eat a whole meal with Champagne - you want to savor the fine wine and enjoy its texture and flavor. Cheese is a good thing to nibble at while you do so - to complement the flavor.

Brie
Brie is a soft, creamy French cheese that is best served very fresh. This goes wonderfully with a gentle Champagne, something light and fruity.

Mild cheddar
Cheddar is an English cheese that most people have tried at some point. The French and the English may not get along all too well, but the cheeses certainly do! Choose a mild, young cheddar; it will go well with some of the sharper, brighter Champagnes.

Chevre
How appropriate! Chevre is the French word for "goat cheese". Make sure it's fresh, and it will have a mild but tangy flavor to it. Use this with the stronger Champagnes that have a bit of kick to them.

Colby
Colby is a hard, mild cheese often associated with Port. Colby is originally from Wisconsin, and does go very well with Champagne as well. Try this with a medium-bodied Champagne.

Edam
Edam is a semi-hard, creamy cheese from Holland. It's slightly nutty, so it's a great pairing with the many Champagnes that have that nutty undertone to them.

Gouda
Gouda is another Dutch cheese, this one hard and smooth. As it also has a nutty flavor to it, it also pairs wonderfully with the nutty Champagnes.

Champagne and Appetizers

champagne is a region of France, and only wines which come from this region can properly be called "Champagne". Similar drinks from California, Massachusetts, and the rest of the world should be called "sparkling wines".

What appetizers are traditional with this fine sparkling wine?

Fois Gras
Yes, liver. Champagne is traditionally paired with duck or goose liver. The soft, smooth texture of the fois gras pairs nicely with the gentle bubbles and delicate flavor of Champagne.

Cheese
I have a set of pages on Champagne and cheese pairings. Some of my favorites are brie, gouda and mild cheddar.

Raw Oysters
Avoid the lemon or vinegar when you're serving these with Champagne.

Raw Shrimp
A raw shrimp appetizer is a perfect pairing with Champagne. Just avoid that heavy red sauce.

Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms and Champagne are a great pairing, so any sort of appetizer you can create using mushrooms will go quite nicely.

Sushi
I love sushi, and Champagne goes perfectly with it. At your next party, put out some sushi appetizers with the Champagne and watch the smiles begin!

Champagne & Meals

Champagne is a region of France, and only wines which come from this region can properly be called "Champagne". Similar drinks from California, Massachusetts, and the rest of the world should be called "sparkling wines".

What meals are traditional with this fine sparkling wine?

Lobster
Lobster with olive oil, grilled spiny lobster. Lobster is a great pairing for Champagne!

Scallops
I am a huge scallop fan, and these go quite nicely with Champagne. A light dish with olive oil and ginger would be perfect.

Shrimp
Shrimp in any style - grilled, raw, steamed. Shrimp goes wonderfully with the light bubbly Champagne.

Mushrooms
If you can serve mushrooms as a dish, or add mushrooms to any of the dishes you are making, they are exceptional with most Champagnes.

Sushi
If you're a sushi fan, and can make an entire meal of sushi, then Champagne is the perfect pairing for you. It goes exceptionally well with sushi, and can make even a normal meal into a celebration.

Light Chicken
If seafood doesn't appeal to you, take heart. Champagne also goes well with light chicken dishes. Use some olive oil, but stay away from the lemon or vinegar.

Champagne and Desserts

Champagne is a region of France, and only wines which come from this region can properly be called "Champagne". Similar drinks from California, Massachusetts, and the rest of the world should be called "sparkling wines".

What desserts are traditional with this fine sparkling wine?

Strawberries
This is a classic for romantic occasions, but it only works with very sweet sparklers! Try this with Asti Spumanti from Italy, or Pommery Pop. All you need are a pair of flutes to clink, and a serving of strawberries to savor by hand. You might even feed each other one or two.

Tarts & Crumbles
Fruit dishes that are fresh and light work perfectly well - an apple tart, a pear crumble.

Fruit Puddings
Another great dish with Champagne is plum pudding or rice pudding. This is perfect for holiday celebrations! Again, if you use a sweeter pudding, be sure to pair it with a sweeter Chamapgne.

Shortbread and Almond Cookies
Choose light, delicate cookies to match well with Champagne's bubbles and freshness. Kugelhopf is a classic almond cake that does quite nicely.