Celebrate the Summer Season with Champagne and Food Pairings
30th May 2025

2025 has already experienced more sunshine than the entire summer of 2024. So to make the most of the outdoors, and take full advantage of the longer, warmer days ahead. The Champagne Bureau UK have put together a guide of the best ways to pair summer dishes with Champagne, no matter the occasion, from barbecues with friends and picnics in the park, to outdoor dining.
Champagne & Barbecues
Summer in the UK is synonymous with barbecues, but what many might not know is that Champagne, with its effervescence and acidity, is actually a wonderful match for a range of barbecue classics.
For richer dishes, such as steak or burgers, a Champagne Blanc de Noirs is a great choice, thanks to its ‘vinosity’, which refers to the wine’s powerful body that creates a sensation of heat on the palate. This more complex structure works well alongside the succulent flavours of the meat, making this the perfect pairing.
On the other hand, a Champagne Blanc de Blancs is ideal for pairing with lighter dishes, such as chargrilled prawns or fish. A refreshing wine that produces notes of white flowers and citrus fruits, Champagne Blanc de Blancs is perfect for the summer season.
Champagne & Picnics
Although it might be a surprising choice for a picnic, Champagne’s versatility means that there is a style to suit every picnic.
For example, a simple yet classic cucumber and cream cheese sandwich pairs beautifully with a Champagne Blanc de Blancs, while a roast beef sandwich is better accompanied with a glass of Champagne Rosé. The fruity and sometimes spicy notes associated with Champagne Rosé pair well with the richer flavours of the beef, and the wine’s pink hues make it a fashionable choice for summer.
However, for those looking to keep it simple, a Non-Vintage Champagne Brut pairs very well with a range of dishes. This type of Champagne is a drier option, containing less than 12g of sugar per litre – a fact which contributes to its versatility. As such, why not try pairing a Non-Vintage Champagne Brut with grilled vegetables, crisps, and cheeses at your next picnic?
For something lighter, opt for a Champagne Extra Brut which has lower sugar content and contains less than 6g of sugar per litre.
Champagne & Dinner Parties
Offering guests Champagne is the perfect way to elevate a dinner party this summer, and what better way to begin the evening than with a charcuterie board? This starter matches the more powerful flavours and balanced acidity of a Blanc de Noirs, a Champagne style that is excellent at cutting through the fattiness of meat.
Moving on to the main course, a roast chicken served with grilled vegetables pairs wonderfully with Vintage Champagne. The complex flavours of a Vintage Champagne complement the savoury notes of the roast chicken, while the umami component of both the wine and the meat enhances the overall taste of the dish.
To finish the evening, a summery dessert such as a red fruit tart pairs best with a Champagne Rosé, with the wine’s fruity notes complementing the sweetness of the dish, and its acidic nature helping to balance out the richness of the ingredients.
Champagne Bureau UK
The Champagne Bureau UK serves as an extension of the Comité Champagne, the trade association representing houses and growers in Champagne. Images belongs to Comité Champagne and Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.