Smoked salmon and champagne The popular pairing of champagne with smoked salmon might be influenced more by status rather than taste, as historically both were considered expensive luxuries. Our experts said the champagne acts like a squeeze of lemon, providing acidity to cut through the richness of the salmon. As long as you choose a dry champagne, it's not a bad match. The failure of some of the pink Champagnes to meet expectations aside, the overall standard of samples in this year’s competition was not only high, but higher than ever before. And with that in mind, please read on to see where the quality lies, as we reveal all the medallists from the Champagne Masters 2022. Non Vintage Fail to chill your champagne properly and you'll end up with fizz flying everywhere. Our experts warned that a warm bottle is a recipe for an explosive opening.

Elegant and fresh with aromas of small red fruits such as raspberries and cherries, and a hint of spice on the finish. Non-vintage champagne is considered a highly skilled art of blending; it means that if you buy a particular brand or product, you know roughly what to expect taste-wise. Concluding on this category in the context of the overall competition, Pedley stated, “It is a bold thing to say, but if we steered consumers away from Rosé Champagne and towards standard Vintage we would be doing them a huge favour.” Plan ahead Put your champagne in the fridge for at least two hours before you plan to serve it. If you’re chilling lots of bottles at once, or have a very full fridge, you’ll need longer. Flavors of red berries, citrus, and a touch of almond, with a crisp and refreshing finish that pairs well with light dishes such as salads or seafood. An excellent choice for celebrations or as an aperitif.Non-vintage champagne can last unopened for three to four years, while vintage champagne (from a single year's harvest) can be kept for as long as 10 years. Some people will prefer to store it for a while before opening to allow it to age. Pair with vegetarian food Champagne tends to work better with vegetarian dishes, as opposed to heavier meat options. Supermarket Christmas food 2023 – from starters and sides to desserts and sweet treats, we've rounded up special festive food from supermarkets including Aldi, Co-op, M&S and more Live well, eat better and stay healthy – sign up to our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox

World's oldest champagne' found on Baltic seabed". BBC News. 17 July 2010 . Retrieved 17 July 2010. The oldest champagne found at the bottom of the sea". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06 . Retrieved 2014-09-30. Treasure bubbles to the surface". The Australian. News Limited. 18 July 2010 . Retrieved 18 July 2010.Serve with cheese Champagne pairs well with most types of cheese, particularly creamier cheeses. Champagne and comté is a classic pairing. Once opened, it's best to drink champagne within three to five days; after this it might lose its fizz. You may have heard that a wad of kitchen paper or a teaspoon in the bottle can help retain bubbles but, according to our experts, neither of these methods are particularly effective. Chill with ice and water If your fridge is overflowing, chill the bottle in a container filled with ice and water – this works better than ice alone. Lechmere, Adam, Decanter.com (November 17, 2010). Champagne still 'fresh' after nearly two centuries in Baltic

Sam Caporn – Master of Wine, consultant, speaker, writer and co-chair of the International Wine Challenge

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The Head winemaker is Dominique Pichart. He was born in Avize , the famous "Grands Crus' village. He has worked with Vranken Pommery Monopole for over 20 years.