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There's something almost magical about the combination of brunch and bubbles. The clink of a glass, the pop of a cork, the way a crisp sparkling wine cuts through a rich, buttery bite—it's a pairing that turns an ordinary weekend morning into something worth remembering.
Whether you're planning an intimate brunch for two or gathering friends around the table, the right pairing elevates everything. Below, we've curated three recipes designed to shine alongside three very different styles of sparkling wine. Each one brings out the best in its partner—and together, they create moments worth toasting to.
1. BLANC DE BLANCS – MÉTHODE CHAMPENOISE & SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS
The Wine: Blended superbly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this magnificent Napa Valley Blanc de Blancs exhibits rich fruit aromatics of strawberry and delicate white cherry that follows through to a creamy mid-palate accompanied with highlights of lime and wet minerality and a lingering vibrant finish. Made in the Méthode Champenoise tradition, it is elegant and refined—with bright citrus notes, a delicate mousse, and a crisp, mineral-driven finish.
The Pairing: Smoked Chicken Wings. Smoky, savory, and just a little bit addictive, these wings find their perfect match in the lightness and acidity of a Blanc de Blancs. The bubbles lift the smokiness, while the citrus notes in the wine brighten every bite.
Why It Works: Smoky flavors can overwhelm a delicate wine—but a Blanc de Blancs has the freshness and precision to hold its own. This pairing is proof that sparkling wine belongs at the table, not just in the flute.
→ Get the Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe
2. BLANC DE NOIRS – MÉTHODE CHAMPENOISE & SEARED SCALLOPS WITH GARLIC BUTTER
The Wine: Blended superbly with 100% Pinot Noir, the Napa Valley Blanc de Noirs exhibits rich fruit aromatics of strawberry and delicate white cherry that follows through to a creamy mid-palate accompanied with highlights of lime and wet minerality and a lingering vibrant finish. Crafted in the traditional Méthode Champenoise style, it offers depth, structure, and beautiful complexity—a sparkling wine with real presence.
The Pairing: Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter. The richness of the garlic butter and the delicate sweetness of perfectly seared scallops create a luxurious bite that stands up beautifully to the weight and texture of a Blanc de Noirs. This is brunch with a touch of elegance—the kind of dish that feels special without being fussy.
Why It Works: A wine with structure needs food with structure. The scallops bring richness and subtle sweetness, while the Blanc de Noirs brings depth and a long, satisfying finish. Together, they're pure indulgence.
→ Get the Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter Recipe
3. SPARKLING BRUT & MINI CHEESECAKES WITH BERRIES
The Wine: Blended superbly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Napa Valley Brut exhibits rich fruit aromatics of strawberry and delicate white cherry that follow through to a creamy mid-palate accompanied with highlights of lime and wet minerality and a lingering vibrant finish. Bright, crisp, and beautifully balanced, it's endlessly drinkable.
The Pairing: Mini Cheesecakes with Berries. Creamy, decadent, and topped with fresh fruit, these little bites are the perfect complement to a crisp glass of bubbles. The acidity in the Brut cuts through the richness of the cheesecake, while the fruity notes in the wine echo the berries on top. It's a match made for lazy weekend mornings.
Why It Works: The contrast between creamy and crisp is what makes this pairing sing. Each sip resets your palate, making the next bite taste just as good as the first.
→ Get the Mini Cheesecakes with Berries Recipe
MAKE IT A SPARKLING DAY, EVERY DAY
The beauty of these pairings is that they're meant to be shared. Whip up a batch of mini cheesecakes for weekend brunch, invite a few friends over, and pop open something sparkling. Or go all out and build a menu around all three—starting with smoky wings, moving into scallops, and finishing with a cheesecake and a glass of Blanc de Blancs.
However you choose to celebrate, the message is the same: brunch and bubbles are better together.
So stock up, gather your people, and raise a glass!
Cheers. 🥂
Looking for more pairing inspiration? Explore our full collection of sparkling wines and find your perfect match.
→ Shop Sparkling Wines
FAQs
What is Méthode Champenoise?
Méthode Champenoise (also called "traditional method" or "méthode traditionnelle") is the traditional French technique used to make Champagne and other high-quality sparkling wines. The second fermentation happens inside the bottle, which creates the bubbles naturally and gives the wine its signature complexity, texture, and notes of brioche and toast. Both our Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs are crafted using this method.
What is Blanc de Blancs?
"Blanc de Blancs" means "white from whites"—a sparkling wine made entirely from white grapes, most commonly Chardonnay. These wines tend to be elegant and refined, with bright citrus notes, a delicate mousse, and a crisp, mineral-driven finish. They're light on their feet but full of precision, making them a beautiful match for smoky or delicately flavored dishes.
What is Blanc de Noirs?
"Blanc de Noirs" means "white from blacks"—a sparkling wine made from dark-skinned grapes (typically Pinot Noir), but vinified in a way that produces a white or golden wine. These wines tend to be richer and fuller-bodied than a Blanc de Blancs, offering depth, structure, and notes of red fruit and brioche. They have real presence on the palate and pair beautifully with richer, more luxurious dishes.
What is Sparkling Brut?
"Brut" refers to the sweetness level of a sparkling wine—it means the wine is very dry, with only a small amount of sugar added. Our Sparkling Brut is crisp, refreshing, and incredibly versatile. It's an excellent choice for brunch, celebrations, or simply enjoying on its own.
Why do sparkling wines pair so well with brunch foods?
Sparkling wines are naturally high in acidity and full of lively bubbles—two qualities that make them fantastic food partners. The acidity cuts through rich, creamy, or buttery dishes (like cheesecake or eggs benedict), while the bubbles cleanse your palate between bites, keeping every mouthful tasting fresh. That's why bubbles work beautifully with everything from smoked salmon to fried chicken.
Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Absolutely. The Mini Cheesecakes with Berries can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until you're ready to serve. The Seared Scallops are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the garlic butter ahead of time. The Smoked Chicken Wings can be smoked or baked earlier in the day and gently reheated before serving.
Do I need special glassware to enjoy sparkling wine?
Not at all. While a flute is traditional, many wine lovers now prefer a white wine glass or a tulip-shaped glass for sparkling wine—it allows the aromas to open up more fully. That said, the best glass is the one you have on hand. What matters most is that you're enjoying it.
How should I store sparkling wine?
Store sparkling wine in a cool, dark place, ideally between 50–55°F (10–13°C). Keep the bottle upright to minimize the surface area of wine exposed to air, and avoid temperature fluctuations. Once opened, sparkling wine will stay fizzy for about 1–3 days if you use a proper stopper and keep it refrigerated.
What temperature should sparkling wine be served at?
Sparkling wine is best served well-chilled—around 40–45°F (4–7°C) for Brut and Blanc de Blancs, and slightly warmer (around 45–50°F / 7–10°C) for Blanc de Noirs, which allows its richer notes to shine. If you're pulling a bottle straight from the fridge, let it sit for a few minutes before pouring.
How long does an open bottle of sparkling wine last?
An opened bottle of sparkling wine will keep its bubbles for about 1–3 days if properly sealed with a sparkling wine stopper and stored in the refrigerator. After that, it will still be drinkable but will lose its effervescence.
💡Pro tip: leftover sparkling wine makes an excellent base for mimosas or cocktails.
