During the holiday season, Americans enjoy more champagne than any other time of the year. Given that Italy is the largest consumer of Champagne after France, to prepare for this season of bubbles, we are pleased to share some tips from the experts.  Here are some great parings from Spiaggia:

Wood roasted diver scallop and crispy dewlap served with the Marcato Lessini Durello from the Lessini Mountains in the Veneto region of Italy. This wine sits on its lees for 36 months before disgorgement giving it a creamy texture that compliments the richness of the scallop. The piercing acidity of the Durello cuts through the fat of the scallop beautifully leaving your hungry for more.   

The classic pairing of Champagne and caviar is a timeless one. Spiaggia’s Petrossian Royal Osetra Caviar with Pugliese burrata cheese is matched with the René Geoffroy Cuvée Empreinte Brut. The savory, slightly herbaceous bouquet and round voluptuous nature of this wine translates effortlessly to the cream of the burrata. The wine is predominately pinot noir sourced from the Vallee de la Marne which is known for its flavors of lusty brioche and minerals notes of graphite.

Lastly, Spiaggia  pushes the traditional by coupling more full flavored dishes with champagne, like the wood grilled prime strip loin and Roman style oxtail with the 2001 Coeur de Cuvée Brut by Vilmart & Cie.  It is sourced from 50 year old vines and is aged in new and used French barrique. The wine is full-bodied and consists of predominately pinot noir with chardonnay. It is a panoply of flavors starting with biscuits, butter and essence of roasted chestnuts. The wine moves towards more woodsy flavors of mushrooms before finishing with high tones of orange blossoms and Christmas spices. The decadent journeys of flavors of this champagne most certainly stand up to the complex marbled layered prime beef and the acid of the roman style oxtail.

Sparkling wines can be much more than great beginnings; they are truly fine wines that just happen to have bubbles. So it’s always a great time for a little bubbly!