This post came in my email from the Comité Champagne and I thought I would pass along this information on which style of Champagne to pair with your picnic dishes. Also great timing for Canada Day. Enjoy.
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From the café culture of Paris to year-round patio suppers in Provence, the French have perfected the art of enjoying food and drink in the great outdoors. And what better way to capture this joie de vivre than by pairing your picnic delights with the finest Champagnes?
U.S. Champagne Bureau’s Head of Education George Staikos has curated a guide to pair different Champagne styles with classic picnic foods. These combinations promise to bring a true taste of Paris to your next outdoor meal. So, pack your basket, find a scenic spot and get ready to indulge in these exquisite pairings.
No Dosage Champagne
Food: Sashimi and sushi
Zero dosage Champagne, or one that is made without the addition of liqueur de dosage (cane sugar dissolved in wine) after the second fermentation, offers a pure expression of the terroir, grapes and winemaking style. These Champagnes, which can display crispness and minerality, are an ideal match for the delicate flavours of sashimi and sushi. Acidity enhances the clean, fresh taste of raw fish and seafood, while minerality complements the slight salinity and umami found in soy sauce and other sushi accompaniments.
Brut Champagne
Food: Soft cheeses, charcuterie
Soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert have a creamy texture and mild flavour that pairs beautifully with the balanced acidity and effervescence of a classic NV Brut Champagne made with a blend of Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir. This style cuts through the richness of the cheese and enhances its flavours. Charcuterie such as salami, prosciutto, and pâté have savoury, fatty qualities that are balanced by the Champagne’s crispness and gentle acidity, which refreshes the palate after each bite.
Rosé Champagne
Food: Chicken salad, smoked salmon
Rosé Champagne is typically aromatic, fresh and crisp, often displaying aromas and flavours of berries, red fruits and a bit of spice. The light, savoury flavours of chicken salad pair well with the fruity and fresh character of rosé. The acidity of the Champagne balances the richness of mayonnaise or other creamy dressings. Smoked salmon is rich and slightly oily, making it a perfect match for rosé Champagne’s acidity and effervescence, which cuts through the richness and enhances the salmon’s smoky flavour.
