Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France.
Produced in the Champagne region of France, Champagne is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier grapes. There are three distinctive types of Champagne -- blanc de blanc, blanc de noir and rose. The amount of sugar contained in each type of Champagne will be an important factor in determining which foods to serve during a Champagne tasting.
Champagne Classification
Extra brut is the driest classification of Champagne.
Sugar content is classified into three categories -- doux, sec and brut. Doux is the sweetest, containing up to 10 percent sugar. The sec category is a drier Champagne and comes in three varieties: demi-sec, meaning "half sweet," can contain up to 8 percent sugar, sec has a content of 4 percent and extra sec contains no more than 2 percent sugar. Champagne containing no more than 1.5 percent sugar is classified as brut. The driest classification is extra brut, which contains no sugar at all.
Sweet Champagne Pairings
Low acidic sweet fruits pair well with sweet Champagne.
Strawberries and other sweet fresh fruits like pears and apples pair well with sweet wines. Fruits can be served as finger foods or baked into cakes and tarts. Shortbread cookies and other light, sweet cookies also pair well with sweet Champagne.
Dry Champagne Pairings
Dry Champagne accompanies dark chocolate well.
Brut Champagne pairs well with caviar and hard cheeses as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. For main dishes, seafood and poultry work well. Use light, cream-based sauces. Avoid tomato, oyster and vinegar sauces and dishes as the high acidity can upset the stomach. Dark and bittersweet chocolates also pair well with dry Champagne.
Cheese Pairings
Champagne and cheese complement each other well.
Cheese is the ideal staple for a Champagne tasting event. Though nearly any cheese will pair well with any variety of Champagne, some will complement others better. For sweeter wines, pair a soft Brie or a nutty Edam. A mild Colby or cheddar will pair well with stronger Champagne. For a tasting that features different types of Champagne, consider a fruit or nut cream cheese ball with wheat crackers. Low acidic fruits like strawberries and crushed pears work well.
Blanc de Blanc Pairings
Blanc de Blanc Champagne pairs well with sushi.
Blanc de blanc is a light, dry Champagne made from a single variety of white grape. It pairs well with goat cheese, sushi, light first course meals and soups. It can also be served with seafood and poultry dishes and accompanies fruit and dessert well.
Blanc de Noir Pairings
Blanc de noir goes well with Mexican food.
Blanc de noir is a full bodied white from black grapes. A brut blanc de noir pairs well with full flavored dishes, Mexican food, and deep fried fish and poultry. It can also accompany a lightly sauced thin crust pizza. Strong, hard cheeses, almonds, chips and popcorn pair well with any blanc de noir.
Rose Champagne Pairings
Rose Champagne pairs well with salmon dishes.
Rose Champagne gets its name from the pinkish hue that results from the addition of Pinot Noir during the second fermentation process. A stronger rose Champagne roasted lamb, game birds, poultry and ham. Lighter roses pair well with salmon dishes, while any rose makes a good accompaniment for dessert dishes and sweet, fruity hors d'oeuvres.
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