Pairing Sparkling Wine
I never gave sparkling wine a fair shake (no pun intended). Like most people, my first exposures to sparkling wines were New Year’s Eve parties as a kid. Sooner or later, someone would put a glass of Champagne in my hand. I’d take a sip and think about it for a moment, only to decide that I didn’t understand. Usually it was too bubbly, acidic and smelled more like a loaf of bread than a glass of wine. Fast forward to adolescence and the first time I decided to indulge a little more with the bubbly, along with the hangover that I experienced the following day. I didn’t understand this sparkling wine “thing.”
The fact was, I was probably drinking swill. To make matters worse, I didn’t understand the art of moderation. However, these experiences marked me and my opinion of sparkling wine for over two decades, until someone finally put a good glass of Champagne in my hand. It was a Non-Vintage (NV) Ulysse Collin Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs and I loved it. With my inhibitions tossed to the wind, I had finally decided to start exploring sparkling wine.
But where to start was the question. The fact is, there’s a lot more to sparkling wine than just Champagne. Most are dry (Extra Brut), but you can also find sparklers in many degrees of sweetness. Some are made from red grapes (Blanc de Noirs), some from white (Blanc de Blancs) and many are Rosé. The good news is that once you start to explore, you immediately realize that all of these wines are amazing when paired with food, and popping open any kind of bubbly seems to put people in the mood for a good time.
With limited space, I could not possibly cover every category of sparkling wine, so I’ve decided to discuss some of favorite styles with my favorite pairings. Think of it as an introduction with a world of new experiences waiting down the road.
Champagne and Food image via Shutterstock
The fact was, I was probably drinking swill. To make matters worse, I didn’t understand the art of moderation. However, these experiences marked me and my opinion of sparkling wine for over two decades, until someone finally put a good glass of Champagne in my hand. It was a Non-Vintage (NV) Ulysse Collin Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs and I loved it. With my inhibitions tossed to the wind, I had finally decided to start exploring sparkling wine.
But where to start was the question. The fact is, there’s a lot more to sparkling wine than just Champagne. Most are dry (Extra Brut), but you can also find sparklers in many degrees of sweetness. Some are made from red grapes (Blanc de Noirs), some from white (Blanc de Blancs) and many are Rosé. The good news is that once you start to explore, you immediately realize that all of these wines are amazing when paired with food, and popping open any kind of bubbly seems to put people in the mood for a good time.
With limited space, I could not possibly cover every category of sparkling wine, so I’ve decided to discuss some of favorite styles with my favorite pairings. Think of it as an introduction with a world of new experiences waiting down the road.
Champagne and Food image via Shutterstock
Comments
Lovely range of bubblies and delicious food for thought. I would have enjoyed some comments on the behaviour of the mousse since some great tasting bubblies foam excessively in the mouth rather than tickle the tongue. Happy New Year! Richard
Dec 29, 2012 at 12:51 AM
It is only until very recently that I discovered Champagne and/or sparkling wine is the perfect match for Asian cuisine. I guess I had my head stuck in the sand all these years. I now keep several bottles on hand for when we order take out Asian food.
Jan 05, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Sister
I'm looking for the recipe to a Mac & Cheese that we recently enjoyed at your winery last month. It was made with a round pasta, had a spicy Tomato olive oil taste and a crunch. Please send recipe!
Apr 02, 2013 at 6:35 PM
y
have you tried the Emeri sparkling range of wines from australian winery De Bortoli? They are affordable, delicious and easy to pair with food.
Apr 03, 2013 at 11:17 AM
a
Thats magnificent
Aug 03, 2013 at 1:30 AM
Its really good :)
Aug 13, 2013 at 4:40 AM
ock
sweett;)
Aug 16, 2013 at 10:45 AM
eerful
Nice one..
Aug 20, 2013 at 2:08 AM
ve
delicious!
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:10 AM
ed
awesome
Sep 05, 2013 at 1:13 PM
nfielder
Awesome
Sep 07, 2013 at 4:39 AM
ous
Its ideal
Sep 19, 2013 at 3:16 AM
Awesome...
Sep 23, 2013 at 4:43 AM
onsGuru
Marvelous...!!
Sep 30, 2013 at 2:08 AM
Its really good
Oct 10, 2013 at 1:49 AM
Brewer
Impressive
Nov 09, 2013 at 4:59 AM
good
Nov 19, 2013 at 12:22 AM
y
Thats incredibly good
Nov 26, 2013 at 1:28 AM
onscope
Wonderful
Dec 12, 2013 at 11:07 PM
great...
Dec 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM
amazing
Jan 16, 2014 at 9:59 PM
impressive...
Jan 22, 2014 at 5:25 AM
Thats incredibly good
Jan 29, 2014 at 2:11 AM
Its interesting
Feb 01, 2014 at 4:46 AM
less
Its cool
Feb 04, 2014 at 12:05 AM
ct
have you tried the Emeri sparkling range of wines from australian winery De Bortoli? They are affordable, delicious and easy to pair with food.
Feb 04, 2014 at 12:49 AM
ng
Grand
Feb 06, 2014 at 12:58 AM
g
Its interesting
Feb 23, 2014 at 10:24 PM
n
Thats beneficial
Feb 24, 2014 at 12:17 AM
good
Feb 24, 2014 at 12:41 AM
Cold
Mar 03, 2014 at 3:57 AM
Genius.
Mar 06, 2014 at 2:20 AM
good
Mar 07, 2014 at 4:47 AM
Its ideal
Mar 08, 2014 at 1:16 AM
good
Mar 09, 2014 at 11:53 PM
ty
Its marvelous :)
Mar 11, 2014 at 12:55 AM
Fascinating
Mar 28, 2014 at 3:03 AM
er
Hip...!!
Mar 28, 2014 at 4:33 AM
s
This is so great!
Mar 31, 2014 at 5:22 AM
Superb
Apr 03, 2014 at 12:56 AM
iraid
Fascinating
Apr 04, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Thats trendy
Apr 04, 2014 at 2:35 AM
Thats calme...
Apr 05, 2014 at 4:39 AM
Thats excellent
Apr 07, 2014 at 1:03 AM
Thats stunning
Apr 07, 2014 at 2:19 AM
Interesting
Apr 08, 2014 at 4:35 AM
Nice..........
Apr 19, 2014 at 2:02 AM
Fascinating
Apr 19, 2014 at 2:53 AM
m
Its tremendous :)
Apr 20, 2014 at 11:38 PM
obal
Its phenomenal
Apr 21, 2014 at 1:21 AM
good
Apr 21, 2014 at 2:48 AM
Its brilliant
Apr 26, 2014 at 1:04 AM
good
Apr 26, 2014 at 2:45 AM
ty
Thats one awesome
Apr 29, 2014 at 2:56 AM
ams
Awe-inspiring...!!
Apr 29, 2014 at 4:08 AM
Its marvelous :)
May 01, 2014 at 11:05 PM
ral
have you tried the Emeri sparkling range of wines from australian winery De Bortoli? They are affordable, delicious and easy to pair with food.
May 08, 2014 at 5:59 AM
vellana
Its calme
May 19, 2014 at 6:49 AM
Great
May 21, 2014 at 11:36 PM
k
nice
May 22, 2014 at 3:14 AM
e
Thats good...
May 27, 2014 at 1:35 AM
good
Jun 05, 2014 at 5:43 AM
great
Jun 10, 2014 at 12:50 AM
s
Its extremely good
Jun 10, 2014 at 5:39 AM
s
Its amazing :)
Jun 10, 2014 at 5:47 AM
Thats superb
Jun 11, 2014 at 12:30 AM
rhenson88
Thats incredible
Jun 12, 2014 at 1:15 AM
Thats tremendous...
Jun 12, 2014 at 1:38 AM
Good
Jun 12, 2014 at 2:00 AM
y
Its tremendous :)
Jun 13, 2014 at 12:21 AM
Its really good :)
Jun 15, 2014 at 11:09 PM
e
Thats tremendous...
Feb 16, 2015 at 2:06 AM
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