Culinary Cocktail Trend

Food Pairingwith Sparkling Wines +

Drinking The Stars

On a sunny terrace, overlooking a beautiful lush valley, small groups of friends are laughing and chatting while sharing small plates of light luncheon fare and sipping sparkling wine. It sounds like a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. The latest trend in wine tours emphasize their food selection as much as their varietals of wine, and the bubbly is no longer taking a back seat at the table. In fact the once celebratory sip is so versatile it allows all foods to shine in its sparkling light. So, throw away your food and wine pairing rule-book and bring on the bubbly. Mix and match flavors and have fun trying out these delicious combos. There’s no right or wrong, only preference. Give these pairings a shot.

Zonin

Serve Zonin Prosecco white sparkling all throughout your meal. Try a Baked

Brie appetizer, followed by linguini with shrimp, then Chicken Milanese and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

Schramsberg

Enjoy a delicious array of appetizers with Schramsberg flavors including Blanc de Blancs, Reserve, Schramsberg J. Schram and Brut Rose.

FUN FACT

To preserve more of the bubbles that tickle the palate as you drink, French researchers say to angle your glass and pour your

Champagne in a “beer like” fashion - down the side of a flute.

Chandon

Oysters pair famously with Chandon Brut Classic. For a new take on desserts, try a Chandon and Sorbet recipe.

ON THE HOUSE:

The Bubbly Basics- Any wine with bubbles may be called sparkling wine. Champagne is reserved for sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne, France using specific wine making rules. Cava are wines made in a similar manner from Spain and in Italy they are referred to as spumante. In the United States, we say sparkling wine.

Side Bar

CHANDON’S SHINING STARS

Domaine Chandon, makers of world-class sparkling wines are part of the 250 year-old French house, Moet & Chandon, which has been producing world-renowned Champagne since 1743. Making sparklers in the methode champenoise, using California-grown grapes of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, Chandon’s wines will inspire and excite every type of pallet. Not to mention the full service fine dining restaurant on the site. Étoile, the French word for star, offers a taste of expertly paired dishes adding to the elegance and enjoyment of tasting the stars with Chandon. We spoke to some members of the team that make Chandon shine.

Tom Tiburzi, Winemaker

“After 22 years at Domaine Chandon, I enjoy coming to work more than ever, working with the viticulture and winemaking teams, as well as our chef, to create food friendly wines that enhance our lives. With sparkling wine, there is a destiny waiting to be fulfilled as the future is already in the bottle.”

Perry Hoffman, Executive Chef étoile Restaurant

“Being able to work alongside the winemakers and share ideas and concepts is a bonus that inspires creativity. Utilizing the resources of our property is something that comes full circle, from foraging wild ingredients to using the freshest of produce from our onsite garden and greenhouse. When the fruits of our labor come to a close our passion is reflected in our guests through empty plates and flutes.”

Ellen Flora, Senior Wine Ambassador

“Working with sparkling, still wine and the étoile restaurant has been a deep pleasure along with witnessing the true sense of collaboration of many talented people that seem drawn to such a winery. With every project your life becomes more interesting and rich.”

MIxINg WITh SpARKLINg WINE

The sparklers compliment all types of food and not surprisingly make a good cocktail great by adding big bursts of bubbly flavor. Are you in the mood to really mix it up? Add St-germain Elderflower Liqueur to your cork-popping cocktails and let the harmonious mix between fruit and flower add a touch of elegance to your every flute. You must mix these spectacular stars.

Bois de Rose

IngredIents

3/4 Part St-Germain 1/4 Part Aperol 1 Part Bombay Gin 1/4 Part Fresh Lemon Top with Schramsberg Brut Rose Sparkling Wine

PreParatIon

Shake first four ingredients with ice and strain into a Champagne flute. Top with Schramsberg Brut Rose and garnish with an orange peel or twist.

La Recolte

IngredIents

2 Parts Zubrowka Vodka or Grey Goose La Poire Vodka 1 Part St-Germain 3/4 Part Freshly squeezed lemon juice Top with Brut Champagne

PreParatIon

Shake first three ingredients in an ice filled shaker and strain into a coupe or Martini glass. Top with brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine. Garnish with an apple or pear slice.

La Rosette

IngredIents

1/2 Part St-Germain Top with Chandon Brut Rose

PreParatIon

Pour ingredients into a chilled fluted glass and stir lightly. Experiment with a lemon twist or perhaps raspberries to garnish.

MUST MIX

For just as much fun as a sparkling mix, try mixing with sake.

St-Germain & Champagne

IngredIents

1/2 Part St-Germain Top with Brut

Champagne

PreParatIon

Pour ingredients into a chilled fluted glass and stir lightly. Float a half a strawberry as a garnish.

The Gentleman

IngredIents

1 Part Spanish Brandy or Cognac 3/4 Part St-Germain 1 Cube Brown Sugar 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters Top with Chandon Brut Sparkling Wine

PreParatIon

Cover a brown sugar cube with Angostura Bitters at the bottom of a Champagne flute and add Brandy and St-Germain. Top with Chandon and garnish with a lemon twist.

Sake Blossom

IngredIents

4 Part Sake 1 Part St-Germain

PreParatIon

Pour ingredients into a sake carafe and serve chilled. Garnish with a white orchid.