I recently had the pleasure of attending a Champagne Billecart-Salmon wine pairing dinner at The Tasting House in Los Gatos located at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As a Champagne Billecart-Salmon enthusiast, I was thrilled to learn that this esteemed Champagne house was coming to my town, making it an event I couldn’t miss!
For over two centuries, Champagne Billecart-Salmon has honed its expertise in crafting refined, elegant, and balanced Champagnes. The house carefully cultivates a 100-hectare estate, sourcing grapes from 300 hectares across 40 crus in the Champagne region. Most of the grapes used for their exquisite Champagnes come from a 20km radius around Épernay, where the Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay flourish in the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Blancs vineyards.
The wine pairing dinner was facilitated by The Tasting House’s acclaimed executive chef, Julian Silvera, alongside Champagne Billecart-Salmon executive, Clément Calleja. Throughout the evening, guests were treated to the house’s renowned Champagnes, thoughtfully paired with six courses of small plates. With each course, Clément provided insightful commentary, delving into the rich history and intricate details of this seventh-generation family-run winery, enhancing our culinary journey.
The evening commenced with Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Brut Réserve NV, paired with Gougères filled with Truffle Cream Cheese. This light and subtle Champagne, a masterful blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, enhanced the savory and earthy notes of the truffle, creating a delightful symphony of flavors and textures.
Next, we were treated to the dazzling pairing of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Brut Nature NV, with oysters and lacto-tomato granita. This bright and pure Champagne, with complex aromas of dried fruits, brioche, and floral notes, subtly enhanced by lemon verbena, perfectly complemented the briny oysters. Refreshing lacto-tomato granita offered an elegant and invigorating blend of flavors.
The sophisticated pairing of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Blanc de Blancs NV, with halibut crudo, verjus blanc, and lemon verbena followed. Exclusively crafted from Chardonnay, this Champagne captivated with its elegant notes of citrus, white flowers, and a hint of almond. Its vibrant acidity and refined bubbles beautifully enhanced the delicate flavors of the halibut crudo and zesty verjus blanc, while the lemon verbena added a refreshing herbal nuance.
We then savored the exquisite pairing of 2012 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Louis Salmon, Blanc de Blancs, Brut, with halibut, Champagne beurre blanc, and caviar. It was named in tribute to Louis, Elisabeth Salmon’s brother and a passionate oenologist. The Champagne’s elegant notes of citrus, white flowers, and toasted brioche harmonized with the rich halibut and creamy Champagne beurre blanc, with caviar adding a briny touch.
The refined pairing of 2012 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Elizabeth Salmon, Brut Rosé, with Squab, Morels, Ramps, and Peas was a delight. This exquisite Brut Rosé, with vibrant aromas of red berries, citrus zest, and a hint of spice, enhanced the rich, earthy flavors of the squab and morels, while fresh ramps and peas added a bright, seasonal touch.
We concluded with the delectable pairing of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Demi Sec NV, with stone fruit tatin. This Demi Sec Champagne, with its lush sweetness and fine effervescence, offered aromas of ripe orchard fruits, honey, and delicate florals. Its rich and balanced sweetness perfectly complemented the caramelized stone fruit tatin, enhancing the dessert’s buttery pastry and juicy, caramelized fruit flavors for a truly delightful and elegant finale.
If you’re a food and wine enthusiast, The Tasting House is a place you must check out when in the Bay Area. They have a team of sommeliers and culinary experts that meticulously select wines and create food pairings. Their menu includes a curated collection of over 65 wines by the glass and more than 500 wines by the bottle. Be sure to sign up for their email list to learn about their latest events. They also have wonderful offerings including live music and The Tasting Club where each month unique and delicious items are selected by our team of sommeliers and foodies.