When it comes to the perfect cocktail, nothing tops the sweet taste of champagne. It’s the ultimate celebration drink and with New Year’s Eve swiftly approaching, there’s no better time to test your taste buds and make your selection of bubbly for your big day. This year, Weddingbells started the festivities a little early with the help of Melanie Turner, self-proclaimed “champagne goddess” and manager of top champagne brands, G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouet. Amidst cheers and giggles, Turner shared her expertise on everything from tasting techniques to food pairings. Here’s what to keep in mind when sipping the bubbly this holiday season:
Sense Appeal
When judging champagne quality, your senses are the ultimate guide to finding the best bubbly. Start the appraisal with your eyes and look for colour and clarity. Most champagnes are gold in colour but greenish tints also indicate a good grape harvest. If the champagne appears brownish in colour – steer clear. It’s a sign that it’s past its peak. As for the liquid itself, it should be completely clear with a nice string of bubbles that flow in a stream to the surface of your glass. Next, use your nose and smell the champagne, taking several short sniffs. The aroma should be pleasant and inviting with hints of floral and fruit. Lastly, take a sip and allow air to enter your mouth as you swish the champagne around. This allows your tongue to appreciate the full flavours of the drink. After you swallow, your mouth should experience a lingering sweetness and delicious aftertaste, an indication of premium quality and freshness.
Perfect Pair
Champagne, much like a fine wine, pairs best with foods that complement its palate. Depending on the blend between the pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes, certain dishes will enhance the flavours of your meal better than others. Traditionally, champagne is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes from several vintages. This blend pairs best with seafood like sushi and lobster as well as chicken and rich, saucy dishes. Blanc de Blancs are made only with chardonnay grapes and have a light body that generally pairs well with lighter foods such as seafood and vegetables. Blanc de Noirs are a blend of red pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes and have a deeper colour, fuller body and are best served with full-flavoured foods, like meat and cheeses. Looking for a sweeter toast? A sweet treat can exaggerate the champagne's acidity and leave a bitter taste. For a dessert toast, choose a demi-sec champagne, which is medium-sweet to complement the sugary taste.
Price Points
Choosing the right bubbly for your celebration can be a little daunting when considering price, quality and the amount of guests attending your reception. Whether you’re hosting 20 guests or 200, there are a variety of excellent champagnes available at different price points, so you won’t have to break the bank for the perfect toast.
Here’s our W-day champagne picks:
Low Range: Pol Roger Extra Cuvée de Réserve Rich Champagne Rich has a sweetness that is balanced by a refreshing streak of acidity, making it an excellent match for spicy dishes as well as the perfect toasting fizz ($34, LCBO).
Mid Range: G.H. MUMM Cordon Rouge offers a refreshing blend of fresh fruit and caramel flavours with lingering notes of vanilla and honey ($59, LCBO).
High Range: Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Brut 1999 has a full, rich bouquet of fresh fruit aromas and a slightly acidic taste that leaves it remaining light ($130, LCBO).
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