Whether as an aperitif, starter, main course, cheese or dessert, new rituals are invented every day. On a coffee table or a side table, on a tablecloth or at the counter, with monkfish or mackerel, caviar or pâté en croûte, the aromas of Champagne's grape varieties are the promise of perfect pairings. "Champagne remains an exceptional wine, at the cutting edge of the summit in terms of quality," warns Maxime Toubart, president of the syndicat, " but one that should be welcomed at all moments of conviviality, not just on special dates."
In their book"Le champagne, dix façons de l'accompagner" , Sébastien Demorand and Antoine Gerbelle suggest pairing bubbles with a radish and bottarga tartine, leeks, sardines and sesame or simply an egg mayonnaise. Simple cooking elements for a summer meal that can be just as simple, even with champagne.
Outdoordiningsignals the arrival of fine weather. Sunshine, good food and cold drinks accompany this interlude of sharing and conviviality. Why not also try a solera champagne (aged by adding new grapes every year) with cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Parmesan or Chaource. A very effective pairing, too, with a brut champagne. The Comté and vintage champagne pairing, such as Paul Goerg's Cuvée Lady 2002, will be a delight on a pretty summer table, whether at lunch under the trees or at dinner in the softness of the night.
A faithful friend of aperitifs, you'll simply have to avoid products with too strong a taste (garlic, raw peppers), traditional peanuts and other roasted nuts, as well as pickled vegetables. Accompany AR Lenoble's Cuvée Rosé Terroirs with Serrano ham, or fresh vegetables. Champagne in the glass, champagne on the plate,"la salade champenoise" is a very good dish requiring a wine to match, such as a very good champagne like Fleury's Cuvée Cépages Blancs Extra-Brut 2009.And why not use the bottom of a bottle of Champagne to make a vinaigrette to accompany an avocado salad with bacon, chicken and peppers!
Ingredients for the vinaigrette
- 18 cl olive oil
- 6 cl champagne vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 pinch sugar
- salt and pepper
Mix everything together in a small bowl, stirring well, then add the olive oil. Champagne is to be drunk and shared, around a table, on a picnic tablecloth. Make the most of it, summer is made for it too!
