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Popping a bubbly is a great way to start a Christmas celebration with friends and family as it adds a touch of thrill to the party. Be it a luxurious Champagne, a flavoursome Prosecco, or a highly enjoyable Cava, sparkling wines are delicious, fun and exciting. These effervescent wines not only set the mood for a festive gathering but also pair beautifully with a variety of Christmas appetisers.
When selecting sparkling wines for your party, it’s helpful to understand their style and tasting notes and select the ones that will play to your guests’ preferences. Champagne, from France, is known for its complex, toasty flavours and fine bubbles, making it ideal for sophisticated pairings. Italy’s popular sparkling wine Prosecco is lighter, fruitier, and more affordable, offering an approachable and versatile choice for large family gatherings that call for fruit-forward bubblies that appease wine novices and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Cava, from Spain, brings the same elegance to your glass as Champagne but at a significantly lower cost. Offering great value for money, it is perfect for large office parties and holiday reunions, keeping your budget in check.
While pairing sparkling wines with food, you must create a balance between flavours and textures. The acidity and effervescence of sparkling wines cut through richness, making them excellent companions to fried or creamy dishes. Their subtle sweetness can also complement salty or spicy flavours, while their lightness ensures they don’t overpower delicate ingredients.
Here are some quick tips for pairing sparkling wines with Christmas appetisers:
- Appetisers with a twist of lime or any other citrus fruit complement the acidity in sparkling wines
- Hot and oily appetisers like fried foods too pair well with sparkling wines.
- Salty foods pair well with brut sparkling wines
- A rose is a jack of all trades and can be paired with a vast array of foods
- Go for appetisers that can be had on the go so that people continue to mingle over their glass of bubbly
Here are five Christmas appetisers that pair perfectly with sparkling wines
Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapes
The rich, smoky flavour of salmon captures the cosy atmosphere of a Christmas party, spent huddled around a fireplace. The bubbles in a sparkling wine offer a playful contrast to the smoky richness of salmon, while its racy acidity cuts through the richness of cream cheese. Pair it with a brut or extra-brut style of delicate cava so that salmon’s nuanced flavours can shine.
Also Read: Wine Etiquette Tips For Hosting Christmas Party
Fried chicken
No matter what the occasion, fried chicken is always a hit at parties, and Christmas is no exception. Hot, oily and crunchy, fried chicken is just what you need on a chilly winter evening. While the dish sets the tone for indulgence through the evening, it also goes well with a glass of crisp sparkling wine. An extra-dry Prosecco will soothe the palate after every bite of the appetiser, resetting the taste buds for the next mouthful.
Bruschetta
Crunchy and tangy, bruschetta is a filling appetiser that will keep your guests from ransacking your pantry. Its fresh flavours of herb and citrus will go well with the racy acidity of sparkling wine whose bubbles will soothe your palate after every crunchy bite. Serve it with a sparkling rose that is loaded with citrus notes and your guests will keep reaching for more.
Mini Brie and Cranberry Pastries
The delicious combination of creamy brie cheese with sweet and savoury cranberries will play tricks on your guests’ palate. Pair it with a fruit-forward sparkling wine that will complement the appetiser’s sweet notes, while cutting through the richness of the cheese with its delicate mousse and sprightly acidity. A Demi-Sec Champagne will pair well with this treat, completing the sweet holiday experience.
Devilled Eggs
It is tricky to pair wines with eggs because of their strong flavour profiles. But you can overcome this challenge with devilled eggs as their creamy filling topped with herbs or bacon bits allows them to be paired with a dry Champagne or cava. Sprinkle a bit of paprika on your devilled eggs to give them a spicy twist and your guests will ask for a second refill of sparkly for sure.
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