What to Serve with Champagne – 10 Delicious Sides
I was always under the impression that champagne was a difficult drink to pair with food. I would see all these fancy articles with recommendations for caviar or foie gras, and I would think to myself, “There’s no way I can replicate that at home.”
But then a friend of mine took me to a wine pairing class, and I learned that champagne is actually quite versatile.
There are three key things to consider when pairing champagne with food: the acidity, the sweetness, and the bubbles. Acidity is important because it helps to cut through the richness of the food. Sweetness is important because it helps to balance out the acidity. And bubbles are important because they help to cleanse the palate.
With those three things in mind, here are my top picks for side dishes that pair perfectly with champagne:
What Pairs with Champagne
- Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
- Oysters
- Crudités
- Fried Chicken
- Brie Toast
- Macarons
- Cheese Platter
- Popcorn and Potato Chips
- Deviled Eggs
- Baguette Slices with Goat Cheese
Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of asparagus is its distinctively grassy flavor. This is why I always pair it with a sauce that has a bit of acidity to balance out the grassiness.
Hollandaise sauce is the perfect choice because it’s made with lemon juice, which gives it that beautiful acidity.
In the springtime, I like to use fresh asparagus. But in the winter, I’ll use frozen asparagus that’s been blanched.
Oysters
There are few things more luxurious than oysters and champagne. The briny flavor of oysters is a perfect match for the acidity of champagne.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can even pair oysters with a sparkling wine that has a bit of sweetness, like prosecco.
Moreso, the two pair well together because of the texture. The creamy, rich texture of oysters is a perfect match for the bubbles in champagne.
Crudités
Crudités are the perfect way to start a meal because they are light and refreshing. The crisp vegetables are a perfect match for the bubbles in champagne.
My love for this dish comes from its versatility. You can use any vegetables you like, and you can even change up the dipping sauce.
I like to use a simple vinaigrette or a yogurt-based dip. But you could even get creative and use a peanut sauce or a curry dip.
The health benefits of this dish are an added bonus!
Fried Chicken
This might seem like an unlikely pairing, but trust me, it works. And we know that champagne has been said to work well with other fried foods like onion rings, french fries, and mozzarella sticks. So, what’s the difference?
The hack to this dish is to find a glass of champagne with a bit of sweetness.
I like to use a bottle of demi-sec champagne, which is a bit sweeter than most. The sweetness helps to balance out the spices in the fried chicken.
Brie Toast
This is one of my favorite pairings because it is so simple and elegant. The rich, creamy flavor of brie pairs perfectly with a glass of brut champagne.
The trick is to find a nice, crusty baguette.
You can either slice the baguette yourself or buy it pre-sliced. If you’re slicing it yourself, make sure to slice it on the bias so that you get nice, long slices.
Once you have your baguette, all you need to do is toast it and spread on some brie. I like to add a bit of honey for sweetness, but you could also use preserves or jam.
Macarons
I have to admit, I am a bit of a macaron snob. I only like the ones that are made with almond flour.
The thing about macarons is that they are so delicate and light. This is why they pair so well with champagne. The bubbles in the champagne help to lift up the macarons and carry the flavor.
My favorite flavor pairing is raspberry and rose. The raspberry provides a bit of acidity, and the rose helps to balance out the sweetness.
Cheese Platter
A cheese platter is a perfect way to end a meal. It’s a great way to try a variety of cheeses, and it pairs perfectly with champagne.
When I’m putting together a cheese platter, I like to include a variety of textures and flavors.
I usually start with a soft cheese like brie or camembert. Then, I’ll add a hard cheese like cheddar or gouda. For a bit of sweetness, I’ll add blue cheese. And finally, I’ll add goat cheese.
The key to this dish is to let the cheese come to room temperature before serving. This way, you’ll be able to taste all of the different flavors.
Popcorn and Potato Chips
You probably didn’t see this coming, but hear me out. Popcorn and potato chips are the perfect pairing for champagne.
The reason why this works so well is because of the texture. The light, airy popcorn pairs perfectly with the bubbles in champagne. And the salty flavor of the potato chips helps to balance out the sweetness.
If you feel up to it and have the time, you can even try making your own popcorn. Just be sure to use good quality oil, like olive oil or avocado oil.
Deviled Eggs
What this dish does to me is nothing short of heavenly. The creamy, rich yolk pairs perfectly with the acidity of champagne.
The key to this dish is to use good-quality eggs. I like to use organic, free-range eggs. This way, I know that the hens were treated well, and the eggs are of the highest quality.
That’s right, even the eggs you use make a difference.
I also like to add a bit of smoked paprika for flavor. This gives the dish a bit of a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with champagne.
Baguette Slices with Goat Cheese
Finally, we have a classic pairing that never goes out of style. The crusty baguette pairs perfectly with the creamy goat cheese.
I like to add a bit of honey to the goat cheese for sweetness. You could also use preserves or jam.
You won’t believe how good this pairing is until you try it for yourself. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and celebrate with some champagne and cheese!
Frequently Asked Questions
What snack goes well with Champagne?
Everyone knows that champagne works well with salty snacks like french fries, salted cashews, and so on.
Personally, I think popcorn and potato chips are the perfect pairings for champagne. The reason why this works so well is because of the texture. The light, airy popcorn pairs perfectly with the bubbles in champagne. And the salty flavor of the potato chips helps to balance out the sweetness.
What finger food goes with Champagne?
A couple of finger foods go well with champagne: chocolate-covered almonds, figs, cheddar popcorn, mixed berries, and so on.
What vegetarian food goes with champagne?
If you are looking for a vegetarian option, then I would recommend a cheese platter, asparagus, vegetarian curries, mushroom, vegetarian sushi, and so on.
Conclusion
Champagne is a celebratory drink. It’s the drink of choice for New Year’s Eve, weddings, and any other momentous occasion. But what goes with champagne?
A lot of people don’t know and end up serving whatever is in their fridge. This can be a mistake. Champagne has unique requirements when it comes to food pairings.
This is why I’ve put together this guide. In it, I described the perfect side dishes for your champagne. I also explained why each pairing works so well.
So, whether you’re planning a party or just want to enjoy a glass of champagne, be sure to keep this guide handy. Cheers!