Best Brunch for Home Entertaining + Brunch Inspiration Book

Brunch is one of the ultimate entertaining options as it’s leisurely, festive and replete with sweet and savory treats and offers the opportunity to be a little whimsical.  It’s an event more than just a meal and has become a cultural phenomenon with its own branded special dishes and cocktails like the famed Bloody Mary and Mimosa.  Elevate your brunching and consider some fun alternatives to add a few twists – and a lot of personalities – to everyone’s favorite weekend tradition!    

For an array of ideas, download our Brunch Ideas Booklet for loads of inspiration and recipes.    

Holiday Brunch Bar/Buffet 

Consider a brunch bar or a beautiful tablescape with an assortment of sweet and savory treats to satisfy your guests young and old.

Brunch in Bed

Weekends are for sleeping in and catching up on rest. Why not indulge in the cozy and comfortable and serve up some brunch in bed? Keep it simple with croissants, scones, (recipe on next page!), and mimosas, or easily whip up a frittata if you’re craving something savory.

Build Your Own Mimosa Bar

Variety is the spice of life! Give guests a flight of juices, a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine (classic brut or brut rosé) & fresh fruit for garnishes so they can craft the perfect mimosa according to their tastes! This makes a memorable, visual impression and is great for mingling and conversation.

Make it easy with out mimosa kit!

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Sparkling Wine from us.

Bridal Brunches & Baby Showers

Time to celebrate the bride or mom-to-be! 187ml mini bottles of blanc de blancs or brut rosé are a crowd pleaser as place settings, for mimosa mixing, or as the perfect takeaway favor for guests!

Unexpected Pairings

Pancakes are wonderful, but the best pairings for a bubbly brunch are the savory, spicy, salty variety: think fried chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, & huevos rancheros.

Elegant, effortless, & elevated for the best brunch for home entertaining

• Health inspired: Mix up a refreshing twist on mimosas by substituting Kombucha instead of fruit juice. View more health-inspired low + light cocktails here.
• Graze: Think Charcuterie Board, but with breakfast foods! This Breakfast Board would be great.
• Keep it seasonal. Use in-season flavors to keep things fresh! Check out these spring brunch recipes and decor ideas.
• Want to test out a different sparkling cocktail? Browse our curated bubbly  & rosé cocktail booklets for inspiration.
• Get creative with these inspo ideas for your brunch offerings & decor for a Biscuits & Gravy Bar, Omelette Bar, Donut Display, Downloadable Coasters or Printed Signs to set the mood
• Looking for vegan-friendly brunch inspiration? How about easy plant-based crostini.
• Are you team sweet or savory? Dress up your croissants to your favorite flavors!
• Craft a few different types of sparkling sangria and serve up a sangria flight.
• Keep it light with a “bubbles and bites” theme, serve alongside finger food favorites, or plan a picnic.
• For a multitude of brunch, entertaining, cocktails & recipes, follow us on Pinterest!

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Scones by Vegan Chef Leslie Durso

Ingredients

For scones:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp cold butter but into 1/4 inch cubes
• 1 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh chopped strawberries

For glaze:

• 1 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp non-dairy butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your hands, cut in the cold butter until it’s a coarse mealy texture. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and vanilla. Pour over the flour mixture and stir just until dough begins to form. Don’t over mix! Fold in the strawberries. Place dough on a floured countertop and gently push together with your hands. Form into a 1 inch tall round. Use a knife to cut 8 triangles. Place the scones on the cookie sheet and brush the tops with coconut milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the scones are golden. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack. Drizzle the scones with the lemon glaze. Glaze: In a glass bowl, combine the sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add in the butter and microwave for 45 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Let cool a few minutes to thicken and pour over scones

Wine Lover’s Gift Guide

Share some sparkle & spread JOY!

Gift-giving should be fun, easy, & thoughtful and you can’t go wrong gifting award-winning, elegant, French wines.

Each scoring 90+ points, our Blanc de Blancs brut, Brut Rosé, and Très Chic Rosé make beautiful, elevated gifts everyone appreciates, especially if shopping for the wine lover in your life!

Ways to gift include:

Spread Joy Delivery

Gift Bags, Gift Baskets, & Gift Boxes

Pamper Me Gift Set

Wine Club Subscription

Favors, Stocking Stuffers, & Present Toppers

Wine Sleeves

For more ideas, follow along on Pinterest!

“Brunch is an opportunity to be a little naughty — or a lot extravagant — at the table.” Kit Wohl

We hope you found many of these inspo ideas helpful and they indeed create for the best brunch for at home entertaining essentials!!

A great way to celebrate with family and friends is to host a wine and cheese party!

Gathering your friends and family for a celebration is always a good time with some wine and cheese. It’s actually a great way to celebrate for busy people out there and lazy cooks. You don’t need to cut or prepare anything for cooking or baking, which is actually less stressful while throwing a party. You get the pleasure of creating a fun, colorful, and beautiful platter. There is something so satisfying about making and serving a cheese platter. It actually brings joy to my spirit. It’s great to know that there is something for everyone and it’s always fun and adventurous to try new and different cheeses and wines. A beautiful cheese platter with some LGC wine is not only a hit for holiday parties, but they are also a great fit for dinner parties.

I understand that it could feel a little bit intimidating to host a wine and cheese party but if you follow our guide, it will be a guaranteed success. In this blog post, we will provide you with a quick and easy-to-follow guide. We will make this low-prep, no-cook party preparation a memorable and enjoyable moment for you.

This is just a guide there are no rules, however, being knowledgeable on how to pair cheese and wine is very helpful. Different flavors react in ways that enhance or diminish one another.

We already know that most people already do enjoy wine and cheese, but having some knowledge and understanding can take your hosting wine and cheese party game to a whole other level!

Let’s start with savory.

Cured meat + Seafood

Cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, pancetta, chorizo, and many more pairs so well with cheese.

We recommend remaining with only one variety per board and organizing it in two unique parts of the board to give the illusion that there are two options.

Salty Bites + Condiments

This is very simple, and much easier than cutting and prepping food for cooking. All you need to do is place them in small, aesthetically pleasing vowels and/or arrange them on the cheeseboard.

Something Sweet

As mentioned earlier we need some sweetness to excite the board. This could be fresh or dehydrated fruits and veggies. Or some honey, jams, maple syrup, etc. Our favorite pairing snack is freeze-dried strawberries from Target, check them out here.

Something Crunchy

It’s always a good idea to add dried fruits and toasted nuts. They both work great with sweet and savory pairings for many different kinds of cheese. It’s always satisfying to add some crunchiness and they really can help fill up the spaces. Your guests will definitely enjoy munching on cheese, crackers, nuts, and cold cuts.

Crackers + Bread

Include a beautiful basket on the table that is associated with different kinds of pieces of bread like sliced baguettes, breadsticks, and different types of crackers in all shapes and forms.

Other Options

• Fresh Herbs  – Mountain Rose Herbs
• Olives – Filthy Pickle Stuffed Olives
• Butter Board – Our Favorite Recipe by the Food Network
• Fresh Pickles – Local to LGC we love Kaylin and Kaylin Pickles
• Chocolate-covered Jalapeños – Spicy it up with Harry & David.

 

How much to buy?

This might be difficult or even easier than you think. It all depends on the number of your guests and also on the season if it’s summer or winter.

Depending on the number of guests, the rule of thumb is to at least have about 6 unique cheeses. Serving about 25-60g/1-2 ounces of each type of different cheese per person.

And for the cured meats/seafood we recommend 60-140g/2-5 ounces per person. 

This shall be served with your other condiments such as fruit, nuts, honey, and jams. Also your bread and crackers as well.

How to set the table

Depending on how large your party is, we recommend setting your cheeses up buffet-style for smaller gatherings. If it is a large party we recommend setting up several different tables with wine and cheese pairs on various tables. 

It’s always nice to add some beautiful decorations like seasonal flowers, pretty tablecloths, and seasonal centerpieces will all improve the party and make it look nice.

Preparation

To make sure you have everything you need for the party it is very important to plan. By planning I mean weeks early. Have a list on that you write your food and drink choices just like a grocery shopping list. As the day passes pick items instead of doing it all at once.

It’s time to party!

We hope that you developed confidence in hosting a beautiful wine and cheese party and that our guide was helpful! If you read thus far? You are more than prepared to host your own Wine & Cheese party. Just make sure your throw in some creativity, positive energy, and some awesome wine, and your guests shall be happy!

(USE CODE LGCPROMO for 15% OFF)

 

 

Sparkling Wine and cheese pairing is easier than you think. Are you hosting a sparkling wine and cheese party?  Or maybe you just want to enjoy some sparkling wine and good cheese and would like to find the perfect match! Well, look no further as we will explore the sparkling wines that complement the flavors in your cheese.

We promise you there is a wine out there for every cheese. It is a known factor that white wine tends to work better with cheese. This is because the high acidity of the wine breaks down the fat. 

Multiple studies have consistently shown that the strong flavor of cheese accentuates the dominant flavors in wine. There is also evidence that your wine palate becomes more sensitive when integrating cheese and wine, this helps you detect more distinct flavors in the wine. In order for you to experience the intense flavors, you need to pair the two right. We are here to guide you!

We also put a blog together on how to make the perfect cheese board.

Sparkling Wine

One of the greatest wines to enjoy with cheese would be sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is so great because its carbonation helps break down the thickness of butterfat that cheese has. This will leave a clean taste in the mouth leaving you craving more.

The acidity of the bubbly wine complements the cheese’s toasty and nutty flavors ranging from fresh to aged cheese. 

Sparkling wine is known to combine well with mild or spicy cheeses while it is also versatile enough to go with any cheese. 

Champagne / Rosé Champagne

Champagne is known for being medium-bodied and can range from dry to off-dry and sweet. 

Even though champagne is the most popular sparkling wine in the world. It is officially produced in France. Note, to be called Champagne, it must be from the Champagne region of France. Champagne has a wide assortment of fruity or floral scents and flavors. The popular ones are the ones with toasty citrus and apple flavors.

Sparkling Wine and cheese pairing

Try Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé here.

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Sparkling Wine from us.

Dry:

• Brie
• Feta
• Swiss
• Brin D’Amour
• Monterey Jack
• Muenster

Off-Dry:

• Colby
• Havarti
• Gouda
• Gorgonzola
• Vermont Shepard
• Gruyère

Sweet:

• Blue Cheese
• Any rich cheese

Prosecco

Prosecco is originally from Italy and is a lightly fruity white sparkling wine. The flavors range in sweetness, but Proseccos are known for their light citrus and floral flavors with tight bubbles. 

It is known that Proseccos pair well with soft cheeses such as Fresh Mozzarella, Fontina, Ricotta, etc. Then there are cheeses soaked in the Prosecco wine itself like Ubriaco, this goes well with Prosecco wines as well. 

Prosecco is a fine wine that is suited to have at the beginning of the party.

A classic Prosecco pairing is with Parmesan and Asiago. The bubbles in the wine cut through the saltiness of those hard cheeses.

Prosecco Wine and cheese pairing

Dry:

• Brie
• Asiago
• Feta
• Parmesan/Parmigiano
• Most Fresh Chèvre (goat) cheeses
• Raclette

Off-Dry:

• Gouda
• Gorgonzola
• Havarti
• Colby
• Double Glouster
• Vermont Shepard

Sweet:

• blue cheeses
• any rich cheese

Sparkling White Wines

As you may have noticed, European countries like France, Italy, Germany, and Spain have already trademarked names for their sparkling wines:

France: Champagne, Cremant

Italy: Prosecco

Spain: Cava

Germany: Sekt.

Most of the world’s wines do not trademark their names. These wines are just called “sparkling” and are made in locations such as Australia, Argentina, California, New York, etc. 

Sparkling white wines are sometimes made in the “traditional” Champagne method, but they are also made through multiple different techniques such as the “Charmat” or “tank” method. Some winemakers just simply add carbon dioxide with machine carbonation. It is well known that the longer the wine is left on its dead yeast cells, The more toasty and bready the flavors become and the bubbles appear finer. 

Sparkling White Wines and Cheese Pairing

Try Le Grand Courtage Blanc de Blanc Brut here.

Dry:

• Feta
• Brie
• Swiss
• Muenster
• Vacherin
• Raclette

Off-Dry:

• Gouda
• Brick
• Colby
• Fontina
• Harvati
• Gorgonzola

Sweet:

• Blue cheese
• any rich cheeses

 

The dinner party is making a comeback – and we couldn’t be more excited to bring back this tradition – and the art of the apéritif!

What is an apéritif?  To us, it’s truly an art form – and an inspiring way to elevate the everyday! A French tradition, an apéritif is an alcoholic drink before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

The word aperitif (Or as the Italians call it, apertivo!) comes from a Latin root, meaning “to open,” which is exactly the purpose of the drink: to prepare the stomach for the meal and to open up the palate for tastes to be enjoyed during dinner. When you greet your dinner guests with an aperitif, you’re doing much more than simply welcoming them to your home with a cocktail, you’re getting them ready to savor every morsel you serve.

An aperitif is similar to amuse-bouche in terms of food. What seems like a generous offering, in fact, serves the additional (mildly selfish) purpose of making the food you’ve prepared even more appealing! Since they’re meant to open up the palate rather than overwhelm it, aperitifs are light and crisp, and not super high on the alcohol content.

They are commonly dry libations, which is why a favorite choice for an apéritif is sparkling wine and sparkling wine cocktails!   Usually served with appetizers or “amuse-bouche, such as crackers, cheese, bread,  pâté, or olives.”

Sparkling Wine Aperitifs: Elevate Your Pre-Dinner Experience

Sparkling wine aperitifs have long been cherished as the perfect prelude to a delightful meal, offering a tantalizing blend of effervescence, flavor, and sophistication. Whether you’re hosting a soirée or simply unwinding after a long day, these bubbly concoctions add a touch of elegance to any occasion. In this article, we’ll explore the allure of sparkling wine aperitifs, their versatility, and how to craft the perfect pre-dinner libation.

The Appeal of Sparkling Wine Aperitifs:

Aperitifs have evolved into a beloved ritual in cultures around the world. Sparkling wine aperitifs, in particular, hold a special place due to their refreshing nature and celebratory aura. The crisp bubbles dance on the palate, awakening the senses and preparing them for the culinary journey ahead.

Versatility in Flavor Profiles:

One of the most captivating aspects of sparkling wine aperitifs is their versatility in flavor profiles. From dry and zesty Brut varieties to semi-sweet and fruity options, there’s a sparkling wine to suit every taste preference. Whether you prefer the citrusy notes of a Prosecco, the toasty richness of a Champagne, the floral aromas of a Moscato d’Asti,  the balanced Blanc de Blancs Brut, or the slightly sweeter, pinker, trendy Brut Rosé, the world of sparkling wine offers endless possibilities for crafting unique and flavorful aperitifs.

Crafting the Perfect Sparkling Wine Aperitif:

Creating a memorable sparkling wine aperitif is an art form that requires a delicate balance of ingredients and flavors. Here are some tips for crafting the perfect pre-dinner libation:

• Selecting the Right Sparkling Wine: Choose a sparkling wine that complements your desired flavor profile. No need to splurge on champagne proper, choose a more affordable sparkling wine. For a crisp and dry aperitif, opt for a Brut or a dry Prosecco. For a sweeter option, consider a demi-sec sparkling wine or a Moscato. More on the difference between champagne and sparkling wine here.
• Adding Enhancements: Elevate your aperitif by incorporating complementary ingredients such as fresh fruits, herbs, or liqueurs. Citrus slices, berries, and herbs like mint or basil add a burst of freshness, while a splash of elderflower liqueur or Aperol lends depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Experimenting with Bubbles: Get creative with your sparkling wine selection to add depth and dimension to your aperitif. Try using sparkling rosé for a blush-hued libation or experiment with sparkling red wines for a bold and unexpected twist.
• Serving with Style: Presentation is key when it comes to sparkling wine aperitifs. Serve your creations in elegant stemware or coupes to showcase the effervescence and visual appeal of the drink. Garnish with a complementary fruit or herb for a finishing touch that delights the senses. More cocktail garnish ideas here!

Two Classic Aperitifs | Sparkling Cocktails To Serve At A Dinner Party

The Kir Royale & The Aperol Spritz

“Kir and Kir Royale are two classic, classy cocktails. Cassis is a black currant liqueur, which adds a combination of dark and bright fruits notes that act as an ideal foil to the wine. I prefer the Kir Royale. Bubbles are fun, and they give the heavier notes in the cassis some levity.” —Tom Macy

Want something innovative? We’ve curated some spritzer cocktail recipes here.

Common at restaurants and dinner parties, It’s not necessarily about the drink itself. It’s about the experience of dining, gathering, connecting.. Taking time to enjoy the meal and the company.

In summary, sparkling wine aperitifs offer a delightful way to elevate your pre-dinner experience and set the stage for a memorable meal. With their versatile flavor profiles and endless possibilities for customization, these effervescent libations are sure to impress even the most discerning palate. So why wait? Embrace the art of aperitif crafting and raise a glass to the joy of sparkling wine. Cheers!

One could actually say the apéritif is the perfect illustration of the drive behind our wines.

Le Grand Courtâge or “The Great Courtship”  is all about bringing people to share food, wine and laughter. We aim to be the best 15 minutes of someone’s day; inspiring them to celebrate life and cultivate joy in simple ways… because it’s the everyday moments in life that really matter.

It’s about elevating the everyday and adopting a joyful state of mind in everything you do. The mission was to create something which is approachable, affordable, and versatile. So that no matter the occasion, big or small, you can enjoy a 90+ point quality wine from an elegant bottle on any budget.

From a simple weeknight apéritif at home, or a celebratory toast at The Four Seasons, relish in the French spirit of  joie de vivre  in every sip!

Spring & Summer Entertaining inspiration from Le Grand Courtâge for elevating the occasion and impressing your guests!

You can truly make the most of the warmer months with curated guides for spring & summer.

Take the guesswork out of food pairing and mixing sparkling cocktails! We’ve created a collection of resources featuring all our favorite things: delicious cocktail recipes, effortless entertaining ideas, foolproof food pairing guide, brunch and bridal season look books, even a list of our favorite playlists to really get the party going!

We believe in embracing the French spirit of joie de vivre, or “joy of life”, where elevating and celebrating the everyday moments is our way of romanticizing the ordinary into the extraordinary.  

Won’t you join us in our mission to #livejoyously? 

• Sparkling Cocktails

  – the bubbles and acidy provide a nice balance point for the palate to blend flavors, and lovely effervescence and textural element to make for a fun, playful cocktail  Click here for our cocktail booklet

• Entertaining Ideas

  – the pop of the cork elevates any occasion and sets the scene.  Make out 187ml or 750ml bottles of Le Grand Courtage a star of the show. Click here for our entertaining booklet.

• Food Pairings

  – Cuisine ideas to pair with sparkling wine and rose.  Sparkling is the most versatile of wine for food pairing (aka scrubbing bubbles for the palate), which goes from breakfast to dessert.  Conversely, Tres Chic, our Provence-style Rose has enough heft for heavier, spicy dishes, but is delicate enough for hot summer months. Click here for our pairings booklet.

• Brunch Upgrade

  – better your brunch with a ‘Build your Own’ table side or mimosa bar with seasonal juices shown on the attached.
  We made it easy with our mimosa kit!

• Champagne Cocktails for any Occasion & Theme

  –   With our palate profile and pricing, we are ideal for the budding mixologist and home bartender.  Attached are various cocktail books.  Click Link for recipes  LGC Cocktails by Spirit Type or  LGC Healthy/Low & Lite Cocktails  or our  Spritz Alternatives and we have Frosé & Wine Slushie Cocktail Options

• Weddings/Events

  – As our name means ‘the great courtship’ we are perfect for bridal-related events, and the 187ml offers a perfect party favor or guest amenity.     LGC Signature Cocktails by Color/Theme

• Playlists

  – It’s not a party unless there’s music! Here are our favorite playlists for any occasion to really set the scene!

 Stay in touch! For more inspiration, follow along on Instagram & Pinterest!

 

The magic of the holiday season is Holiday planning and spreading joy  

Think about your happiest holiday memories. Most probably involve the senses. — the aroma of cookies baking, the sound of children singing carols, the giddy pleasure of shiny lights — and the time spent decorating, and anticipating with family and friends.

At the core, Le Grand Courtâge has always been about meaningful connection. The Covid epidemic has taught us that what we appreciate most is the time with loved ones. It’s the whole reason LGC was created. Additionally these wines are made for women, by women. They are perfect wines for parties, holiday getaways, or a cozy winter’s night at home. 

Our owner, Tawnya Falkner, is all about the details. These vegan, women-made wines were designed with the aesthetic and overall experience in mind.  Tawnya believes in appealing to all the senses. Because, at the end of the day, we all eat and drink with our eyes. The music, art, smalls, taste, and the tactile experiences all impact the overall ambiance.
Read more about our story here.

1. Creative Gift Wrap Ideas – HGTV lists 75 unique and amazing gift-wrapping ideas to add a little extra joy to gift-giving during the holidays! 
2. NYE Activities & Party Ideas by House Beautiful – Be the hostess with the mostess as we ring in the new year with these 15 elegant party ideas and activities!
3. Holiday & NYE Appetizers & Recipes by Delish – A list of 37 crowd-pleasing and simple appetizers to serve at dinner parties and holiday cocktail parties! 
4. Fun Holiday Activities – The LA times gives us 43 ideas for how to maximize the fun and JOY during the holiday season.
5. New Year’s Eve Music Playlist – This playlist will help ring in the new year with classic favorites sooner rather than later! -Curated by Oprah
6. Sparkling Wine Cocktails – Use our curated champagne cocktail recipes and tasting notes booklet to mix up something fun and festive! Organized by spirit type, we’ve curated dozens of cocktail recipes for you to use for the holidays. (USE CODE LGCPROMO FOR 15% OFF)
7. 10 Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizers from All Recipes  – Do your shopping list early and consider make-ahead holiday appetizers.  Who doesn’t love Hors d’œuvres if you can make ahead, freeze, thaw, and have something that can be baked at a moment’s notice – that’s optimal. We are also fans of the partially homemade concept and buying a store-bought and embellishing it in a pinch. Some recipes actually taste better if you make them in advance to let the flavors meld.
8. Top 5 Simple & Elegant Holiday Table Decor Ideas – Set the scene with these 5 easy table-setting ideas for holiday get-togethers! The art of hospitality need not be complex!
9. 5 Easy Holiday Side Dishes – Delish.com serves up 5 easy holiday sides to whip up this holiday season to spend more time with family and friends and less time in the kitchen!
10. 45 Free Fun Things To Do During The Holidays By Popsugar – The magic of the season is FREE, use this list with 45 of the best fun holiday ideas to add JOY for $0.

We’re committed to serving up the best and easiest ways to cultivate JOY in everyday moments. This is why we’ve put together several resources to make this holiday season a breeze. Then you have more time around the table with friends and family. For more holiday entertaining inspiration, head to our Fall & Winter Elevated Entertaining Blog.

Visit our Universal Sound Of Happy page to learn more while browsing our free curated holiday guide ebooks!

BONUS BEFORE YOU GO: Sparkling Wine Lover’s Gift Guide

Share some sparkle this year & spread JOY! Gift giving should be fun, easy, & thoughtful and you can’t go wrong with gifting elegant, female-founded wines. Each scoring 90+ points, our award-winning and affordable French wines Blanc de Blancs Brut, Brut Rosé, and Très Chic Rosé make beautiful, elevated gifts.

Ways to gift include: Spread Joy Delivery, Gift Bags, Gift Baskets, & Gift Boxes, Pamper Me Gift Set, Wine Club Subscription, Favors, Stocking Stuffers, & Present Toppers, Wine Sleeves. For more ideas also follow along on Pinterest! 

 

Top Food Pairings for Sparkling Wines: Champagne Food Pairing Made Simple

What pairs well with sparkling wine? What goes good with Champagne? Food pairing with champagne and sparkling wines is much easier than you think! In fact, they are among the easiest of wine and food pairings. The best food pairings for sparkling wine will normally consist of richer foods. Rich foods and those which are greasy, fatty, fried, or spicy are perfect complements as both the acidity and effervescence of sparkling wines help to balance heavier foods. Many in the industry call sparkling wine the ’scrubbing bubbles’ for the palate as it perfectly cleanses the tongue in between bites. Read on for some of our favorite sparkling wine pairings.

Our Le Grand Courtage Blanc de Blancs Brut or Brut Rose are each the best sparkling wine in their category and price point, award winning and affordable French wines, and  both perfect complements to the below as our crisp, light and refreshing French sparklers are cuisine and cocktail friendly, meaning they make amazing, delicious sparkling cocktails and pair easily with a wide variety of food. They are not quite as dry and yeasty (and much more affordable to the everyday) than traditional Champagne, but not nearly as sweet as a Prosecco.​​

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Sparkling Wine from us.

Appetizers: What Snack Goes Well With Champagne?

• Almonds
• Buttered or Truffled Popcorn
• Cocktail Sausages
• Duck-fat French fries
• Egg Rolls & Spicy Asian appetizers
• Egg-based hors d’oeuvres
• Olives
• Potato Chips
• Prosciutto-wrapped Appetizers
• Fried Mushrooms
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Vegetables

Cheeses: What Cheese Pairs Well With Sparkling Wines?

• Brie
• Cheddar
• Goat
• Gouda
• Parmesan

Seafood/Fish: Sparkling Wine Pairing Made Easy with Seafood

• Crab Rangoons
• Fish Tacos
• Lobster
• Raw Oysters
• Shellfish
• Shrimp
• Smoked Salmon
• Sushi
• Crab

Asian: Easy Sparkling Wine Pairing

• Anything spicy – Pad Thai, Curry

Pizza: What Food Goes Best With Champagne?

• Pizza Quattro Formaggi or Bianca 
• Prosciutto and Burrata Pizza 
• Wild Mushroom Pizza

Meat: What To Serve With Sparkling Wine

• Bacon
• BBQ (esp Rosé)
• Beef or Pork Sliders
• Brisket Chili
• Duck
• Chicken
• Game
• Foie Gras
• Fried Chicken
• Lamb
• Prosciutto
• Ribs
• Roasted Chicken
• Salami
• Sweet Breads

Brunch: Sparkling Wine Pairing At Brunch

• Eggs Benedict
• Mushroom, Bacon Omelets
• Frittatas
• Scrambled Eggs
• Brioche French Toast with maple syrup (blanc) berry syrup (rosé)

Pasta: Easy Wine Food Pairing with everyone’s comfort food

• Butternut Squash Ravioli
• Macaroni & Cheese with bread crumb crust
• Pastas with cream or mushroom sauces
• Risotto with mushroom sauce

Sweets Indulgences: What desserts to Pair With Sparkling Wines Such As Prosecco, Champagne, Brut, & Cava

• Angel Food Cake
• Berries
• Cheesecake
• White Chocolate
• Fruit-Based Desserts and Tarts
• Mascarpone Cheese
• Shortbread Cookies
• Toffee, rocca,
• Salted caramels

Head to our entertaining page for some of our favorite food recipes, sparkling and rosé cocktail recipes, entertaining tips, and much more.

Wine gifting ideas for the wine lover in your life.

Wine gifting ideas! Share some sparkle this year! Gift giving should be fun, easy, and thoughtful and you can not go wrong with gifting award-winning, elegant yet affordable French wines. Each scoring 90+ points, our blanc de blancs brut, brut rosé, and Très Chic rosé make beautiful, elevated gifts that everyone appreciates. 

From wine gifting ideas, birthday gifts to hostess gifts, and client appreciation to festive holiday gifts, we’ve outlined our favorite sparkling gift ideas altogether for simple and elegant gifting.

 

 

Are you in a season of party and event planning? Need to know how much wine to order for a wedding? If you are trying to calculate how much alcohol to order for an event, we have some simple tools to help.

There’s always something to celebrate! From small intimate dinner parties to retirement parties, college graduations, engagements, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, launch parties, & our personal favorites: weddings, bachelorette parties, & bridal showers.  We aim to offer Effortless Entertaining and/or Planning Tips and even a Drink Calculator for events!

No need to get overwhelmed! We’ve got you covered with a party drinks calculator to make your event effortless AND elevated!

The Great Courtship

The name of our French sparkling wines translates to “The Great Courtship”, making them a best wedding wine choice & perfect meaningful detail for celebrations of love and friendship! Available in classic Blanc de Blancs brut and brut rosé, at weddings and celebrations of all kinds. Nothing gets the party started like the POP of the cork! (Or as we call it, The Universal Sound of Happy!).  Provence-style Très Chic Rosé is also a romantic yet practical option for weddings and events. As it is  “in-between” red and white wines. Food friendly and versatile, it’s light enough for the white wine drinker and has a softer profile. For the red wine drinker, it has more structure than white. And the beautiful rose hues really elevate a show-stopping tablescape!

How To Calculate How Much Alcohol Or Wine You Need For Your Event Using The Party Drink Calculator.

Wine Party Calculator FAQs:

How many bottles of wine for a wedding? How much alcohol is in wine? How much wine to order for 100 guests? Here is an easy drink size calculator to use as a beverage calculator for events. In an average event setting, you can expect each guest will drink one alcoholic beverage per hour. Likely drinking more during cocktail hour, and less during the meal. Plus, a classic champagne toast (mainly for weddings). One drink per hour is a realistic benchmark to begin planning. Below is an easy wine calculator formula.

Use this standard drink calculator for a party as an example: For an event with 50 adults over 21 for four hours you’ll need 150-200 beverages depending upon time of day and how much of a drinking crowd there is.

Using this wedding alcohol calculator or any ‘ole event calculator, you can estimate how much alcohol to order for a wedding, party, or other event with this  Evite Drink Calculator.  This does NOT include the bubbly needed for the champagne Toast.  See the chart below for that.

As a general rule, 20 bottles of wine and sparkling wine/champagne = 100 servings (we recommend 75% wine and 25% sparkling for the event.

How Many Cases Of Champagne Will I Need For Toast?   

When party planning, the menu is the first priority, and then the adult beverages served are a close second priority. Time of year your event is planned, time of the event, the menu being served, cashless or cash bar. Whether just beer and wine are served or if cocktails are offered, whether specialty cocktails are offered, and lastly, the preference of drinks & alcohol tolerance of the guest list all factor into the estimating process.

When trying to answer some of the most common Wedding Alcohol Questions, we also liked this article from Brides magazine: How Much Alcohol Do You Need for Your Wedding?

Courtâge Tip: Join our affordable wine club and save 20% on all your wedding wine! Read more here!

Additional Ideas for how to incorporate timeless, elegant yet modern, and romantic wines as an elevated detail for your event.

Below are several ideas on how to incorporate sparkling wine into your wedding or party. As well as some tips on determining wine party calculations and how much wine you need for your event. Hosting a party or planning a wedding can be stressful.  Making sure you have enough wine on hand for guests shouldn’t be!

Signature Cocktails For Weddings

Thematic concepts and matching colors are all the rage visually, but the ‘mixers’ are often less expensive too, so creating spritzers and fun cocktails might be a great way to balance your costs as well.

Party Favors & 187ml

187ml bottles mini bottles of sparkling wine as reception favors can also double as the reception escort cards! Simply add a name/place card to hang from the bottle so guests can navigate their reception seating arrangements. This creates a statement when guests arrive at a table filled with mini champagne bottles.

Or, personalize each bottle with your name and that of your partner, as well as the date of your wedding for a memorable wedding favor that will make everyone “Cheer”! One of our favorite ways to present these to wedding guests is having their names written on the bottle with beautiful calligraphy. What an elevated favor!

Thinking of serving a signature sparkling cocktail during cocktail hour or at your reception? We have several cocktail recipe booklets to browse for inspiration here.

We hope this wedding wine calculator was helpful in making your celebration preparation easy and fun! More ideas for incorporating wines in bridal, wedding, and party events can be found in our Bridal Look Book – available for free instant download!

Cheers and bonne fête at your next event!

Looking to showcase your creative prowess and build the best cheese board, paired with the perfect bubbly? Look no further than this guide.

Belle English, the test kitchen cook and perfect cheese board savant at Williams Sonoma, provides a step-by-step guide on creating a spectacular presentation.

1. Have a robust mix of goat, blue, aged, soft, and hard cheeses. Ideally, you can fit all of those elements, and of course, some will pull double-duty, like an aged Gouda. Once you pick your cheese, pick out aboard. Belle says, “I love a big round board. It feels more abundant when it’s round.”

2. Start Wisely, With Star Elements. “Look at it from an artist’s perspective.” Stars with your statement piece – a lovely jar of jam, or local honey – and arrange things around them.

3. Don’t Slice Too Much. “Often people cut cheeseboard elements too much,” says Belle. “Make it more organic. Rip the bread. Crumble the blue cheese. Cut just one slice out of the wheel. It makes it more of an experience.” Learn how to cut cheese like a pro with Roth.

4. Sweet With Pungent; Nutty With Bright. Put that pungent Gorgonzola next to a tiny vat of honey and a clutch of walnuts. They balance one another out. 

5. Consider 3 Meats, Because Why Not? “Classic and mild (prosciutto di Parma), spicy like Calabrese, and super-fragrant or herbaceous, with fennel or herbs, like finnochiona [salami variety]. For vegans and vegetarians, add Marcona almonds and pistachios! Check out a how to on creating salami roses here!

6. Plan Your Wine Pairing. We love pairing sparkling wines, white wines, and rosé with a charcuterie board. If you are leaning towards a sparkling wine or champagne, consider a blanc de blancs, crémant, or rosé champagne. The bubbles act as a scrubber for your palate and sparkling wine is the most versatile food pairing wine. If you are considering a still wine, we love a French rosé, typically lighter bodied with mineralogy that cuts through the weights of meats and cheeses.

Check out our entertain page for more fun hosting tips, tricks & ideas! Use code (LGCPROMO). for 15% off your first bottle from us!