The 12 Days of Christmas Champagne Challenge

The 12 Days of Christmas, traditionally celebrated from December 25th to January 5th, is the perfect time to embark on a Champagne journey showcasing 12 different styles. The Champagne Bureau UK* is delighted to share with you a guide to elevate the festive season, celebrating the diversity of Champagne styles, and pairing these with your traditional dishes. Each day, discover a unique Champagne style, paired with the finest festive foods:

1. On the first day, pair Brut Nature, the driest Champagne style, with oysters. It’s pure and crisp profile highlights the freshness of the shellfish, offering a clean and mineral finish.
2. On the second day of Christmas try the Extra Brut style of Champagne; its subtle softness beautifully enhances the delicate richness of sashimi or tuna tartare.
3. Moving to the third day, the versatile Brut Champagne – which is still the most popular style in the UK –  shines alongside a classic roast chicken. Its lively acidity balances the dish’s herbaceous and savoury flavours.
4. For the fourth day, a Blanc de Blancs, a Champagne made exclusively from white grapes, complements the subtlety of seared scallops with a lemon butter sauce.
5. The fifth day highlights Blanc de Noirs, made exclusively from dark grapes, with its fuller-bodied, red berry profile – enhancing duck breast served with cranberry sauce.
6. On the sixth day, Rosé Champagne, with its vibrant acidity and red fruit aromas, elevates the earthy sweetness of beetroot paired with creamy goat’s cheese.
7. For a slightly sweeter touch on the seventh day, Extra Dry Champagne accompanies a creamy butternut squash risotto, with the Champagne’s gentle sweetness harmonising with the dish’s earthiness.
8. On the eighth day, Sec Champagne, with its noticeable sweetness, pairs wonderfully with duck à l’orange, mirroring the dish’s sweet and tangy glaze.
9. Continue the festivities on the ninth day with a Demi-Sec Champagne style, ideal for dessert-style pairings.
10. On the tenth day, enjoy the sweetest style, Champagne Doux, with poached pears in vanilla cream. The pairing creates a symphony of sweetness and lightness, perfect for dessert lovers.
11. On the eleventh day, pair your Vintage Champagne, aged for depth and complexity, with the luxurious and umami-rich flavours of a Beef Wellington.
12. Finally, on the twelfth day celebrate with a Prestige Cuvée, the pinnacle of Champagne craftsmanship. Its opulent, multi-layered flavours match with Lobster Thermidor, creating a decadent finale to this celebratory experience.

This thoughtful pairing experience not only highlights the versatility of Champagne but also offers a unique culinary journey through its many styles, perfect for the festive season.

*The Champagne Bureau UK is the trade association of Comité Champagne in the UK, representing houses and growers in Champagne.

Photo credit: Image belongs to Comité Champagne and Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use it.