Champagne is generally associated with celebrations, and what could be more celebratory than a wedding? The appearance of champagne at weddings finds its origin in Europe’s 18th-century royal courts, where drinking an expensive wine was mainly a status symbol associated with the aristocracy. The characteristic bubbly became a celebratory tradition at numerous important festivities such as New Year’s, birthdays, retirements, promotions, graduations, and weddings.
On the other hand, popcorn boasts humbler origins, but its popularity with generations of Americans and beyond finds few rivals throughout culinary history. So, what happens when the two meet on one of life’s most festive occasions?
Sparkling wine takes center stage
Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine with many bubbles, hence the moniker ‘bubbly’. It was created in the Champagne area of north-eastern France, from which its name comes, so while champagne does qualify as a sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine qualifies as champagne.
The characteristic bubbles that differentiate champagne from other wines result from fermentation, where yeast and sugar are combined to produce CO2 and alcohol. When the CO2 remains in the liquid, the famous bubbles are formed and find their release when a bottle is uncorked.
Theoretically, only sparkling wine produced in the region should benefit from the ‘champagne’ label. This light and happy beverage is usually created using only Pinot Meunier, black Pinot Noir, and white Chardonnay grapes. When used at weddings, it generally accompanies the moment of toasting the happy couple.
The ‘pop’ in the corn
Popcorn enjoys an even older pedigree than champagne. A type of maize, the oldest ear of popping corn, was found in a New Mexican cave around 1950 and is estimated to be over 5,000 years old. The popcorn label refers to the corn’s sound when it pops during heating.
While central to South American culture, the Iroquois Indians were seen to pop corn in the Great Lakes region at the beginning of the 1600s by French explorers in the area, and later on, the early colonists were known to pop it with crude, rudimentary popcorn poppers made with thin iron sheets.
Exactly when popcorn was elevated to a wedding celebration food is anyone’s guess. The fact is that today, it’s a trendy snack, with most people declaring that they enjoy eating popcorn. What makes popcorn ideal for wedding feasts is its versatility. It can be seasoned or mixed with numerous flavors, spices, and toppings and safely dyed to a specific color to accommodate any celebratory theme.
Serving popcorn at a wedding offers endless variations, from hiring a popcorn machine and serving it hot to preparing a popcorn bar with salty or sweet flavorings or preparing individually wrapped personalized wedding favors in mason jars, foldable boxes, or pretty bags designed for the occasion.
Aside from being a tasty treat, popcorn is affordable, offers endless choices, can be personalized, pairs with a variety of other foods and beverages, and popcorn in bulk for wedding celebrations is easily and readily acquired.
Pairing champagne with popcorn
In the past, champagne may have been relegated to its pairing with a hors d’oeuvres serving or a dessert. Yet, unlike many foods, popcorn perfectly pairs with champagne. The tinging acidity of champagne perfectly balances the saltiness and buttery fattiness of freshly buttered popcorn.
When pairing any food and beverage, the food and drink must complement each other in terms of flavor and texture. This is especially true when pairing a food with champagne and its characteristic acidity. Either the food mirrors champagne’s flavors or positively contrasts the taste.
Traditionally, expensive gastronomic treats paired with champagne have included creamy cheeses, foie gras, caviar, or oysters. Popcorn was decidedly not one of these until more recently, and yet….
While each is appreciated when consumed alone, when the crunch and the pop meet the bubbly fizziness, the combination is sublime, making it ideal for a wedding.
The wedding popcorn pairing station
To highlight this tasty pairing, create a pairing station for a unique twist. You should offer more than one champagne choice to accompany several popcorn flavors, including at least one extra dry selection and a sweet option. Regardless of the number of possible pairings, include tasting cards so guests can have some fun during their tastings.
Place your popcorn selections in decorative dishes with labels. Place small scoops, cups, plates, or baggies so guests can self-serve. The champagne choices can be in fancy ice buckets surrounded by champagne flutes or coupes to match that perfect evening dress.
Wedding popcorn and champagne pairings
Wedding champagne and popcorn can be offered in a single unique recipe, in several flavors, or an entire popcorn bar with a selection of unique popcorn offerings can be created to add to your day, being memorable for the significance and the tastebuds.
- If you want an exceptional culinary pairing that elevates popcorn to a new level, truffled popcorn meets its match when champagne’s acidity challenges the truffle oil’s richness to refresh the palate.
- For a salty option, consider pairing bacon popcorn with the bubbly. The bacon can be cooked up, and some residual fat can be used to pop the corn. Once it’s popped, mixing in crunchy bacon bits and a little butter will offer guests a breakfast-like snack for the wee hours after dancing the night away.
- Brown butter, crushed coriander seeds, real Italian grated parmesan, and a shake of salt will have taste buds in ecstasy when paired with a glass of champagne made with pinot grapes.
- Do offer a sweet option for guests with a sweet tooth. Caramel popcorn, marshmallow, cheesecake, or wedding cake flavored choices will blend nicely with an extra dry champagne selection.
The subtle tingling of champagne bubbles coupled with the light, dry, and crunchy texture experienced when consuming fresh savory popcorn is a match made in heaven and aptly mirrors the joining of two individuals on their very special day.
Once you’ve decided on your popcorn and champagne pairing, you can prepare the nitty gritty details for your big day. While it may not be pleasant to consider, unforeseen disasters can potentially disrupt your wedding day – a sudden cancellation, bad weather, or damage to your wedding attire. Having wedding insurance can provide you protection and offer you much-needed peace of mind.