The director of Champagne Bureau UK, Victoria Henson, reveals how to pair champagne with Christmas lunch.
The festive season of parties, gatherings and merriment has begun. And what better way to celebrate than with champagne, a drink that embodies celebration?
Often overlooked at the dining table, champagne needn’t be restricted to an aperitif or welcome drink. Its unique versatility means that, depending on the terroir and grape variety used, the aromas expressed will differ. Here’s everything you need to know to create the perfect pairings.
Champagne aromas explained
The main types of champagne aromas are categorised as young, mature or full and include the following:
- Floral: white flowers, acacia
- Fruity: citrus, nuts
- Mineral: iodine, chalk
- Herbaceous: mint, hay
- Sweet pastry: brioche, biscuits
- Creamy: caramel, butter
- Spicy: honey, cinnamon
- Empyreumatic: cocoa, coffee
Champagnes to pair with canapés
For pre-dinner drinks, it’s usually best to opt for a champagne that’s not too vinous and whose dominant aromas are less pronounced, such as a non-vintage brut. This pairs well with lightly salted crackers, nuts or olives.
Champagne blanc de blancs, blended exclusively from white grapes, possess notes of white citrus and exotic fruits. These champagnes are light and tantalising, enhancing rather than overwhelming the palate, making them an excellent pairing for classic smoked salmon blinis topped with herby crème fraiche and a squeeze of lemon. A Blanc de Blancs will allow for the subtle flavours of the blinis to still shine.
The best champagne to pair with turkey at Christmas
For your main festive spread, vintage champagne makes a wonderful companion to a golden Christmas turkey —  or any choice of poultry that acts as the centre piece for your Christmas spread.
A vintage champagne is a wine that is made exclusively from grapes of a particular harvest, and it has to spend at least 36 months in the cellar. These wines develop complexity as they age, with more pronounced aromas such as cocoa and gingerbread. Due to this long maturation period and their high calibre, they’re perfect for celebrating special occasions.
Champagne to pair with a cheeseboard
Cheese plays a starring role on Christmas Day, so it’s crucial to choose the right drink to pair with this course. Rosé champagne is an excellent choice, with its round fruitiness and berry aromas that beautifully complement cheeses like Perroche, Ragstone and Spenwood.
Due to the wide spectrum of Rosé champagne, these wines can develop notes of freshness or, in contrast aromas that are smoother and more powerful. As such, there is sure to be the perfect Rosé champagne for every cheese on your board.
The best champagne to drink with dessert
To complete the festive feast, mastering dessert and champagne pairings is essential. When it comes to dessert, there are endless possibilities, but a sweeter style of champagne, such as a champagne demi-sec is ideal. Serve it with creamy or fruit-based desserts, like Eton Mess with winter berries or a simple apple crumble. It’s best to avoid pairing it with chocolate desserts.
