We have been invited to a New Year’s party where the host has requested that each couple bring their “favorite champagne” for a blind tasting and then pair them up with appetizers. This is a mixed crowd, meaning not everyone is a wine nerd and will shell out for the good stuff, but there are still a few smart palates in the crowd and if I’m being honest, I want the bragging rights of best bubbles and food pairing on the night.
That said, if you had to create one dish to feed a NYE party crowd that paired perfectly with some quality bubbles, what would you bring? I once heard Michael Chiarello say that he thought “zinfandel was the golden retriever of wine grapes because it paired well with everything.” I am not sure if I agree with that, but I will admit that I have been struggling on this one because I happen to think that Champagne is, in fact, the golden retriever of wines that pairs with darn near everything I’ve ever put it with so could use some perspectives of what dishes really shine in your wealth of experiences.
Given that this is likely not a setting where you’ll be able to deliver a hot dish easily, I think the potato chips and caviar pairing works well. Otherwise there are many possible pairings including truffled scrambled eggs, diver scallops, shellfish, etc.
Otherwise you are correct that champagne goes with most anything so just pick an appetizer you particularly like (and that suits your available prep options - hot/cold/etc) and go with that.
State Bird Provisions does a salmon roe or smoked trout and a fancy version of sour cream and onion dip with potato chips that is one of the best things with rose champagne ever. I think it would be very easy to mock up.
Salmon roe or great smoked salmon on European style rye (the dense, thin type). If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, the have a creamy goat cheese (blue cylindrical container) that makes it perfect. Otherwise, whipped cream cheese.
Stop by Chick fil A on the way to the party and get a nugget tray. Guarantee you have the most popular appetizer (and a fantastic pairing w/ Champagne, to boot)
I personally don’t think caviar and Champagne necessarily compliment each other that well. I certainly like the celebration aspect of it and would never turn it down but if we are just talking about the actual pairing, its only fine.
No brainers for me:
potato chips - but make sure they have some oil. Don’t go healthy here.
fried chicken - skip the spiced stuff. Just a nice, classic, fried crust
a nice triple cream cheese of your choice - on some basic crackers or nice bread. A like duh, easy, slam dunk thing.
