Josh and I both became interested in wine during our first dinner on our honeymoon. We were dining at the White Barn Inn on the coast of Maine, and we were so excited to be there. We ordered our courses and opted to have the wine pairings with each course. When our steak entrees appeared on the table, our waiter Adrian came over with a smirk on his face and a bottle in hand. "Tonight is your lucky night!" he said. Apparently another waiter had accidentally opened a $600 bottle of Bordeaux, so they were pairing it with the steaks that night. Josh and I looked at each other, took that first sumptuous sip, and I knew our lives as we knew it were over. This incredibly complex, delicious wine had us completely hooked, and we have been tasting (chugging) and learning ever since.
Over the last couple of years, we have found some favorites in every price range, as well as learned some helpful tips on buying/storing wine. Therefore, wednesdays will be dedicated to this beloved little hobby!
So let's kick off wine wednesday with one of our "Perfect Pairings" - Champagne and... pizza!
First of all, yes, I am aware that only sparkling wine from Champagne, France, can be called "champagne" and everything else is sparkling wine. But French laws, Wench shmaws (Ha! I couldn't help but sneak in a naughty word! This is why Josh is not allowed to read these before I post..).
Anyway, here's my issue - the term "sparkling wine" has at least 8 more syllables, and I am girl that is all about efficiency. So I boldly refer to all sparkling wine (that even took forever to type) as champagne. It's a much sassier word anyway! And I can handle your judgment - Bring. It.
Whenever you are shopping for champagne, an understanding of the terms can be extremely helpful. They specifically describe the level of sweetness that a wine will have:
- Sec (17 to 35 grams of sugar per liter) - This stuff is sweeeeeet, and I don't mean like "I love your purple highlights!" sweet. I mean more like, "My dessert is in a glass? Sweeeeet!"
- Dry/Extra Dry (12 to 20 grams of sugar per liter) - Unlike a regular red/white wine, "Dry" is used to describe the sweeter wines. These have a higher concentration of fruit sugars and are best served as a pre-dinner apertif or with a fruity dessert.
- Brut (less than 15 grams of sugar per liter) - This is the most common type and the "driest" of the champagnes. These tend to pair well with foods, particularly pizza (yay!) and highly seasoned/spicy foods. I don't serve these with dessert, unless it is something rich like cake or truffles. This is what to look for if you need a wine that will cut through dense flavors and cleanse the palate. It is also what I prefer to use when creating champagne cocktails.
Ok, back to one of my favorite pairings! I find that most people automatically reach for that trusty bottle of red wine when they dine on pizza, but I find this can result in a doubly heavy meal. A rich red wine with a hot, cheesy pizza can certainly warm you up during those chilly months, but it also can be so indulgent that all those bold flavors run together. Three slices in and you already need a nap! And lordy, who wants to stop at 3 slices???
A brut, crisp champagne, on the other hand, perfectly cuts through the creaminess of the cheese and warm bread. For such an indulgent meal, it serves as a bright palate cleanser between bites and allows you to enjoy each cheesy slice as much as the first.
So for your next cozy little night in, pick up a Papa Murphey's and your favorite champagne. I promise you won't regret it! And below are couple of our family favs when it comes to this Perfect Pairing....
Schramsberg Mirabelle Rose
This little diddy is delicious and around $20 - a steal for good champagne! It has a soft balance of sweetness and drinks easily with food or on its own. Keep an eye out in high-end grocery stores or reputable wine stores.
Domaine Carneros Brut
My favorite inexpensive brut which is also around $20. I have been known to down a bottle of this on my own. And I am completely ok with it. You can also pick this up at nice grocery stores and your standard wine stores. So GO! Get a bottle! now.
Iron Horse... The Mother Ship
Around $35 a bottle... and worth every penny. This is what you get to convince a non-champagne drinker (i.e. most boys) to be very much a drinker. Or in my case, a guzzler. So in this situation, you might want to buy a couple of bottles...
Love ya'll! Mean it.
