Champagne Pairings for British Pie Week

British Pie Week, which takes place annually during the first week of March, this year, the week commencing 3rd March 2025, highlights traditional British culinary heritage. The Champagne Bureau UK is celebrating the nation’s love of pies, by pairing different styles of Champagne with some of Britain’s favourite pies.

Pie and mash shops have been a staple of British culinary culture since the 18th century, especially in London and its surrounding areas. Different regions of the UK also have their own pie preferences. For instance, Scotch pies – a small, double-crust meat pie – are loved in Scotland.

Champagne’s versatility makes it the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of pies and as such, we have curated a guide of five pairings for some of the nation’s favourite pies.

How to pair Champagne and pies this British Pie Week

Steak and Ale pie with Champagne Brut: Champagne Brut is a classic option, but one that is multi-faceted, making it versatile and simple to pair with a variety of dishes. Champagne Brut pairs excellently with a traditional steak and ale pie due to the high acidity that cuts through the richness of the beef, malty ale, and flaky pastry, which cleanses the palette.

Chicken and Mushroom with Champagne Blanc de Noirs: The delicate richness of the creamy filling, with earthy mushrooms and tender chicken complements the more mature and solid structure of a Blanc de Noirs, which is exclusively made of dark grapes. It also tends to exhibit more red fruit flavours which can enhance the delicate taste of the chicken.

Traditional fish pie with Champagne Blanc de Blancs: A Champagne Blanc de Blancs, which is produced exclusively from white grape, tends to showcase a lighter body with citrus flavours that pair wonderfully with fish and seafood. The Champagne’s acidity also cuts through the creamy sauce and buttery mashed potato.

Shepherd’s Pie with Champagne Vintage: A hearty Shepherd’s Pie is a beloved British classic, rich with slow-cooked lamb, savoury gravy, and a buttery mashed potato topping. Such a pie deserves a Champagne that can match its depth and indulgence. A Champagne Vintage is the ultimate choice. With its layers of toasted brioche, roasted nuts, and ripe fruit, a well-aged Champagne Vintage not only complements the dish’s umami richness but also elevates it.

Blackberry and apple pie with Champagne Demi-Sec: A style currently growing in popularity, Demi-Sec Champagne has a slightly sweeter dosage at 32 and 50 grams of sugar per litre, which matches well with creamy, sweet, or rich dishes. The subtle sweetness of Champagne Demi-Sec complements the fruity richness of the blackberries and apples, enhancing the natural sweetness of the pie. The acidity also balances the sweetness, while the smooth, creamy texture works beautifully with the pie’s buttery pastry.