It’s National Rosé Day this weekend!
Considered to be the quintessential summer drink, Rosé Champagne now accounts for 11% of all Champagne styles shipped to the UK in volume. Over the last three decades Rosé Champagne exports have risen by 450%!
Over 18’s only
The Champagne Bureau UK
In honour of National Rosé Day, the Champagne Bureau UK* has put together a guide to some of their favourite Rosé Champagne and summer food pairings to share with us.
Fun fact: Rosé Champagne is made two different ways – either by macerating black grapes or by blending with red Champagne wine. These wines can range from soft to deep pink colours and from a very light and fresh palate to more structured or full-bodied.
Starters
What to pair with your Rosé Champagne will largely depend on the wine itself, and when choosing ingredients to pair with more mature Rosés, a light summer starter is ideal. This is because the complex flavours of the wine, particularly those found in Vintage Rosé Champagnes should take centre stage.
Therefore, seafood-based starters, such as oysters, or salads featuring fresh summer vegetables like heirloom tomatoes, courgette, and sweet peppers, are paired perfectly with a more mature Rosé Champagne, as the flavours of both the dish and the wine will complement each other. Another great option is a charcuterie board, particularly those featuring soft cheeses such as goats cheese – perfect for sharing amongst larger groups of people.
Mains
No foods are more synonymous with summer than those cooked on a barbeque – think beef burgers, lamb skewers and pork sausages, which are ideal as a main course on warm summer evening. These robust dishes pair beautifully with more mature Rosés that have aged longer, which showcase stronger flavours of dried fruits and more toasty notes – particularly when seasoned with warmer spices, such as cumin, saffron, and white pepper.
If you are hosting pescatarians this summer, lighter or drier Rosés pair best with deep water fish such as salmon, tuna and trout, particularly when served with citrus fruit, like lemon, or crispy vegetables. This also makes sushi and sashimi a great option for enjoying alongside a lighter Rosé.
Desserts
When it comes to dessert, the British summer classic of strawberries and cream is a lovely choice. Originally introduced by Thomas Wolsey (King Henry VIII’s right-hand-man) and now a staple of the Wimbledon Championships, this dessert pairs beautifully with the fruity notes of a Rosé Champagne.
In fact, berries pair wonderfully with Rosé Champagne, so freshly made fruit tarts, featuring berries such as strawberries, raspberries and cherries, will be perfectly complement a chilled glass of Rosé Champagne this summer.
*The Champagne Bureau UK serves as an extension of the Comité Champagne, the trade association representing houses and growers in Champagne.
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Content supplied and image credits – Comité Champagne.
