Celebrate in Style: Your Ultimate NYE Champagne Guide

As we prepare to ring in 2025, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a glass of Champagne, the world’s most prestigious sparkling wine.

From serving Champagne like a pro, to understanding Champagne styles, to pairing it with the perfect canapés, the Champagne Bureau UK* has curated a comprehensive New Year’s Eve Champagne Guide designed to help you shine as hosts, this holiday season.

 

New Year’s Eve Ultimate Champagne Guide

Serving Champagne: The Essentials

• Chill to perfection: Chilling Champagne is essential to enjoy the full extent of its finesse. The best way to chill a bottle of Champagne is to plunge it into an ice bucket half filled with water and ice for around 30 minutes until it reaches a temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. If you are running short on time, add two tablespoons of salt to the cold water. This will bring your bottle to the perfect temperature within 30 minutes.
• Glassware: Flutes have commonly been thought of as the correct glassware, however, a tall, rounded, tulip-shaped glass perfectly shows off your Champagne’s aromas and bubbles.
• Serve like a pro: Remove the foil and wire cage while keeping a firm grip on the cork. Tilt the bottle at a 30–45° angle and slowly rotate the bottle (not the cork) until it eases out with a soft sigh. Pour a small amount into the glass first, allowing the bubbles to settle before filling it two-thirds full. Do not take the person’s glass when pouring. Notice the effervescence and the forming of the “pearl necklace” on the surface of the Champagne.

 

Champagne Styles: Find the Perfect Fit for Every Canapé Occasion

When choosing a Champagne, it is vital to understand which style to select, as there are a number of different options to pair with your New Year’s Eve canapé menu:

• Champagne Brut: The essential classic is easy to pair thanks to its fruity, floral and spicy aromas. The classic crowd-pleaser pairs nicely with light canapés such as green olives, salted nuts, or Gruyère cheese.
• Champagne Blanc de Blancs: Made entirely from white grapes, this citrus-forward style is crisp, refined, and ideal for pairing with seafood canapés, like smoked salmon blinis or prawns.
• Champagne Blanc de Noirs: Full-bodied and made exclusively from dark grapes (Pinot Noir or Meunier), Blanc de Noirs offers rich flavours of red berries. When aged, it can develop notes of coffee, cocoa, and brioche, making it an excellent choice for pairing with truffle arancini or pâté crostini.
• Champagne Rosé: With aromas ranging from fresh to bold, Rosé is a versatile option for pairing with creamy cheeses. This festive season, pair with a beetroot and goat’s cheese tartlet.
• Champagne Demi-Sec: Sweet and indulgent, Demi-Sec Champagne features between 32–50g of sugar per litre. It is perfect for dessert canapés, pairing beautifully with macarons or mini fruit tarts.
• Vintage Champagne: Aged for at least three years, Vintage Champagne boasts complex, pronounced aromas. It’s a luxurious choice for marking significant milestones and pairs wonderfully with sophisticated dishes such as mini beef Yorkshire puddings.

 

*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.