Paesh Champagne Tasting
Only The Beginning…
Wow! I can't believe the first Paesh culinary event took place in July 2023! Throughout my years of solo travel, I enjoyed so many amazing experiences that I couldn’t wait to share with family & friends. If feasible, I would take everyone on the next flight so they can experience the beautiful moments for themselves. This desire to partake in a collective experience with loved ones eventually led to the idea of curating events. An opportunity to indulge in cuisine, culture, and conversation with a new global destination in your own backyard.
Before the Fun Starts…
Champagne, France
France: The destination that inspired the first Paesh curated event in Chicago, Illinois! French cuisine is known for its emphasis on high-quality ingredients and classic cooking & baking techniques. The complexity of French cuisine lies in its simplicity. Never underestimate a great baguette and butter! French cuisine varies significantly among each region and is undoubtedly influenced by other cultures. I highlighted a few classics enjoyed throughout France such as escargot and tartines with a Paesh twist for guests.
Tchin Tchin! Visiting Reims, Épernay, and the surrounding towns in the Champagne region provided a glimpse into the world of champagne. When you embark on your journey to the Champagne region, be prepared to experience a relaxed vibe and make room in your luggage for lots of bubbly souvenirs! Travel tips for Champagne are available here. Let’s recap some of the options enjoyed during the champagne tasting.
Apéritif: The Paesh 23
Guests were welcomed with an apéritif that perfectly captured the essence of a warm summer afternoon. Opaline Sparling Pinot Noir Brut Rosé is produced from 100% pinot noir grapes in the southern region of France. This amazing sparkling wine is perfect for creating a signature cocktail, such as The Paesh 23. Champagne must be produced in the Champagne region of France and adhere to numerous regulations to qualify as champagne, otherwise, it is deemed sparkling wine. Opaline Sparling Pinot Noir Brut Rosé is an amazing sparkling wine option and is available at a great price point at retailers such as Trader Joe’s. It’s perfect as is or in your favorite mimosa or mixed cocktails.
Champagne Tastings
Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Demi-Sec, Rosé, Grand Cru, Premier Cru: Just a few of the champagne types and varieties nearly 300 wine producers in the Champagne region produce every year. With grape varieties used for Champagne such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and other rare varieties, the tasting exploration of Champagne is endless! For the first champagne tasting, I wanted guests to sample Champagne from the same producer with significantly different flavor profiles.
Alcoholic beverages such as champagne, beer or even spirits such as rum, are not required to list the amount of sugar on the product label similar to soda. The quantity of residual sugar post initial fermentation, is measured by each producer as it impacts flavor, color, and other organoleptic properties. Fun Fact: champagne produced in the 1800s was considerably sweeter with an average of 90-120 grams of sugar per liter! Some of the most popular brut champagne available today average 0-12 grams of sugar per liter.
The Paesh 23
I purposely selected 2 varieties of Laurent Perrier champagne for guests to taste the difference between brut and demi-sec Champagne. In general brut Champagne is less sweet with a range of 0-12 grams of sugar per liter. A demi-sec champagne can range between 32-50 grams of sugar per liter. As mentioned earlier, there are a host of other classifications and varieties. Brut & demi-sec champagnes are popular options but only the tip of the iceberg in the world of champagne. The wine producer, varieties, stainless steel vs. oak barrel, salinity, grape varieties, and sugar content can significantly impact your sensory experience. Here’s a recap of the champagne options along with suggested food pairings.
Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut
The bright, crisp top notes of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne are perfect for your favorite poultry & fish dishes. You may also enjoy this with black truffle, popcorn, triple crème brie or even fried chicken! If you're seeking a celebration libation or a light, refreshing champagne to enjoy on a Wednesday afternoon, Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut has you covered!
Paesh Amuse-Bouche: Escargot w/ Saffron Garlic Butter
Paesh Food Pairing: Butter Poached Lobster Tartine
Best served between 46°F and 50°F
Laurent Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec
Laurent Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec Champagne tantalizes your palate with sweet notes of pear and honey with the perfect acidic balance. A demi-sec champagne is a natural pairing for desserts. Its sweet taste provides a nice contrast to a salty, bold blue cheese or your favorite fried foods. Samosas anyone?
Paesh Food Pairing: Chicken & Gruyère Tartine w/ Shallot Jam
Best served between 42°F and 46°F
Laurent Perrier Champagne
Small Plates Menu
France At Your Footsteps