Champagne and Hot Dogs?

Celebrate the USA Team at the Summer Olympics in Paris with these pairings of All-American fare and French Bubbly

Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash

Summer is a time for cookouts, picnics, and day drinking on the boat or at the beach.

And, while we might equate those rites of the season with cracking open a beer or even a spiked seltzer, the Champagne Bureau recommends popping open a bottle of bubbly instead.

For centuries, Champagne has been associated with special occasions, but in the past few years, it’s become more and more common to break out the bubbly for Sunday brunch or even because it’s a Tuesday. As a fan of Champagne, I can attest that I always have a bottle chilling in my fridge — even if it’s not the finest vintage.

Of course, with the Summer Olympics coming up next week in Paris, there’s no better time than to break out the Champagne for watch parties (unless, of course, you want to root on the U.S.A. with some local brew — which is perfectly acceptable).

If you do want to celebrate Franco-American relations, the Champagne Bureau has provided some suggested pairings that are unexpected, but make sense when you think about it.

Now is the time to remind everyone that Champagne needn’t break the bank. Sure, you can spend hundreds or thousands on a rare vintage, but you can just as easily enjoy a bottle on a budget.

Here are the Champagne Bureau's suggested pairings of Champagne with good ‘ole American Summer fare!

Brut Rosé from the Montagne de Reims (Pair with Burgers)

While traditionally served with a still red wine such as Syrah or Pinot Noir, hamburgers pair beautifully with Champagne. A brut rosé from the Montagne de Reims subregion made primarily with Pinot Noir grapes will deliver freshness and acidity that cuts through the fatty richness of a burger, along with savory notes that pair well with the beef. 

100% Meunier NV from Vallée de la Marne (Pair with Hot Dogs)

A perfect pairing for this ballpark classic is a non-vintage 100% Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne. Like rosé and hamburgers, Meunier’s combination of bold fruity flavors and deeper earthy qualities enhance the smokiness of a beef hot dog. This pairing was reportedly a favorite of actress Marlene Dietrich. 

80% Pinot Noir Blend from Côte des Bar (Pair with Cheesesteaks)

Next time you grill up a cheesesteak, consider popping a bottle of a Champagne blend from Côte des Bar. We recommend primarily Pinot Noir, with smaller representations of Chardonnay and Meunier, for the perfect sip to both match and counter the richness of the sandwich. 

Vintage Blanc de Blancs from the Côte des Blancs (Pair with Fried Chicken)

The Champagne Bureau recommends washing down your bird with a vintage Blanc de Blancs from Côte des Blanc. The nutty, creaminess of this champagne style pairs beautifully with the salty and fatty crunch of classic fried chicken. 

Brut Nature Champagne from Aÿ (Pair with Potato Chips)

The classic potato chip compliments the Champagne, specifically a brut nature Champagne from Aÿ. This style reflects the expression of the original wine blend without the addition of liqueur de dosage, or a mix of cane sugar dissolved in wine, before corking. Also known as zero dosage, these Champagnes have a very low sugar content that balances perfectly with the salty, fried crunch of a traditional potato chip.