Plan your year-end bash with our New Year’s Guide.
Champagne is the quintessential complement to any memorable occasion, one that can shape and transform an experience, while creating new traditions and memories along the way.
To help you plan your festivities this holiday season, Vitalie Taittinger, artistic director of Champagne Taittinger — one of the last few remaining family-owned and operated Champagne houses -- is offering her take on ways to add glamour and elegance to your athome, year-end festivities.
Champagne-Inspired Décor
For those in the midst of planning a holiday party, Vitalie suggests using a bubbly bar as the centerpiece of the festivities.
“Create a dedicated space for your bubbles, offering options such as Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française and Prestige Rosé, and allow guests to taste at their own leisure. It makes for a great spot to strike up conversation and leaves the host free to mingle with all of the other guests,” says Vitalie.
In terms of the look for your bubbly bar, you don’t have stick with traditional holiday colors. Instead, let Champagne Taittinger inspire your décor by using metallics like brushed gold, galvanized silver and rose gold, alongside lush holiday greens, for a more contemporary take on holiday spirit.
For bigger crowds, large-format bottles are sure to be a crowdpleaser — from a Magnum (two standard bottles), to a Methuselah (eight standard bottles). “Everyone loves a big bottle of Champagne, and it will save you tons of recycling space, as well!” says Vitalie.
Parisian Raw Bar
Take a moment from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and transport you and your guests to Paris with a French-style raw bar — a crowd pleaser at any party and for any season.
Move on to the perfect shrimp cocktail: the sweet flavor with just a squeeze of lemon is a natural fit with Champagne. Then, end with a bit of lobster or crab,” says Vitalie.
For a new presentation, stagger footed cake stands at different heights to create areas where you can add additional design elements, such as winter greenery, flowers, candles and lights. Drape linen or other textured fabric for added texture and a touch of Paris. Voila!
Champagne Macarons
Chocolate delicacies and Champagne are a natural pairing, particularly when there is a secondary element of fruit in the chocolate, such as passion fruit, raspberry, coconut or hazelnut. And the outer shell, airy pillow, creamy center and soft chew of Macarons are a natural fit for Champagne, which is an equally ethereal experience. Available on- line at mrchocolate.com in Brut La Française, Bellini, Mimosa, and Rosé, Champagne Taittinger Macarons at Jacques Torres Chocolate can round out your dessert spread and provide a memorable conclusion to your meal.
More information can be found at taittinger.com.
So much more than just a drink, let Champagne be the source of your entertaining inspiration this holiday season.