I’d Do Anything For Love – Meatloaf and Champagne Pairing

Whenever someone mentions Meatloaf, your mind will either go to one of two places, Meatloaf the dish or Meat Loaf the world famous singer, whichever one comes to your mind first depends on you.

This time we’re talking about Meatloaf the dish, the hearty ground beef shaped into a loaf and sliced like bread. You can see the likes of vegetables or pulses added or different meats like veal, lamb or venison instead of beef, but either way, it gets its name for the shape of a loaf of bread but made of meat rather than wheat.

Where Did Meatloaf Come From?

Meatloaf as a minced meat dish first appeared in a Roman cookery book called Apicius in the 5th century, nowadays Meatloaf is considered a traditional dish in Scandinavian, Belgian and Germany.

The Champagne

Champagne Laurent Lequart are located on their family farm in Passy-Grigny, in the heart of the Marne Valley, with 11 hectares of farmland, with most of it planted with vines growing the Meunier grape which they use to craft their Champagnes.

They have also been respecting the terroir and the environment for 4 generations, they have achieved the High Environmental Value certification which was obtained in 2019 and a Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification in 2020.

Champagne Laurent Lequart – Réserve Extra Brut

Aroma 👃 “Lovely and fresh yellow fruits, yellow stone fruits, yellow citrus, with minerals and wet stones on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “A smooth and slightly sweet flavour, Champagne as you know it with a lovely glossy coat of yellow stone fruits and yellow citrus, with flaky pastry and minerals on the palate.”

This Champagne Won a Gold Medal in the Gastronomic Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

The Pairing

Pairing Notes – “The Champagne adds nice yellow stone fruit, floral and yellow citrus flavours, toning down the sweetness from the sauce a touch, allowing the delicate savoury flavours from the beef to shine through until its met with the sauce in harmony again at the end.”

How To Make Meatloaf

Ingredients
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup finely crushed crackers
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sage
Pepper
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Method
1. In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs and combine the milk, crackers, onion, salt, pepper and sage.
2. Add the beef and mix.
3. Place in a loaf tin.
4. In a bowl, combine the sugar, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Spread the mixture over the meatloaf, but keep some back as a sauce.
5. Bake for 60-65 minutes at 175°C.
6. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
7. Slice, serve with the sauce and enjoy!

Our Meatloaf was served with real mash potatoes and green beans.

 

Information Credit: Meatloaf – Apicius