Pairing Sparkling Wine with Food

I'll start by saying that sparkling wine can be so much more than an aperitif! The high acid, refreshing style of Champagne, Crémant, many Cavas, and other wines produced in the traditional method make them well suited for pairing with food. The lees contact that imparts those bready characteristics is also super friendly with lots of flavor combinations.

Try a contrasting pairing by combining a high acid sparkler with a rich, fatty dish like fried chicken, potato chips, pasta or risotto with cream sauce, or even a marbled steak. For a lighter option, have it with a pan-fried fish with lots of fresh citrus. For something simple, pair your bubbles with a classic triple-cream brie, gouda, or chèvre.

If your wine is sweet, try it with a hard, salty cheese like Parmesan or Manchego. For something absolutely decadent, pair sweet wines with fruit-based desserts.

For a bite that works with just about any sparkling wine, try whipping up a batch of Deviled Eggs topped with bacon and fresh chives. You can’t go wrong with these at brunch or as an easy appetizer!

Sparkling wine recommendations