December's Pour Pairings Box is all about celebrating! What better wine to celebrate with than Champagne???
The capital of Champagne, Reims, became the official location for crowning incoming French kings from around the 9th century. It was during these coronations that the popularity of the wine produced in the Champagne region increased as a drink of celebration.
All Bubbles Are Not The Same
All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. There are several types of sparkling wine. The most common: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and sparkling wine from the United States. Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region in northern France.
A typical Champagne or U.S. sparkling wine is made from a blend of three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. If you see a Champagne or U.S. sparkling wine called “Blanc de Blancs,” it’s made exclusively from Chardonnay. If you see a Champagne or U.S. sparkling wine called “Blanc de Noirs,” it’s made exclusively from Pinot Noir. Prosecco is the Italian sparkling wine. It’s made from the Glera grape. Cava is the Spanish sparkling wine. It’s usually made from a blend of Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarello grapes.
What does it taste like?
Champagne can range from dry to sweet, depending on the sugar added. This bubbly drink's taste also varies depending on the grapes used and blended. A quality Champagne boasts a velvety mouthfeel with flavors that include cherry, peach, almond, citrus, cream and even toast.
Most Champagnes are labelled Brut and taste dry or off-dry with just a hint of sweetness:
Brut Nature – Dry: 0-3g/L sugar
Extra Brut – Dry: 0-6g/L sugar
Brut – Dry to a hint of sweetness: 0-12g/L sugar
Extra Sec – A hint of sweetness to noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 12-17g/L sugar
Sec – Noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 17-32g/sugar
Demi-Sec – Sweet, bring on the cake! 32-50g/L sugar
Doux – Very sweet, dessert in itself! 50+g/L sugar
Extra Brut – Dry: 0-6g/L sugar
Brut – Dry to a hint of sweetness: 0-12g/L sugar
Extra Sec – A hint of sweetness to noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 12-17g/L sugar
Sec – Noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 17-32g/sugar
Demi-Sec – Sweet, bring on the cake! 32-50g/L sugar
Doux – Very sweet, dessert in itself! 50+g/L sugar
To Flute or not to Flute?
The Champagne flute has a stem to hold the drink without affecting the temperature. Sommeliers and wine experts now agree a tall, wider tulip shaped glass is a better option, enough room for the bubbles and aromas to develop and a tapered rim to concentrate and trap the beautiful scents. Try a white wine glass next time you pop open a bottle and see if you can taste the difference.
How Many Bubbles in a Bottle of Bubbly?
Scientist and engineer Bill Lembeck calculated there to be 49 million bubbles in a bottle of cold Champagne. Now you’ve got your fill of Champagne tips and facts, find a reason to celebrate this weekend and toast to the small things in life.
What's in the Box:
"Pop The Champagne" Popcorn
Almond Butter Cookies
Flock Chicken Chips
Teaspressa Mimosa Cubes
Champagne Bottle Stopper
Chambong
Almond Butter Cookies
Flock Chicken Chips
Teaspressa Mimosa Cubes
Champagne Bottle Stopper
Chambong
What to Pair With Champagne:
Because there is such a wide variety of Champagne styles, it is a very food friendly option and can go with most dishes. That being said, its best food friend is FRIED! Fried chicken, French Fries, Kettle Cooked Chips, etc. The wine's high acidity with the saltiness of these items balance each other perfectly.