Sunday Sips Featuring: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte
Sunday Sips Featuring: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte
A Holiday Season Essential With a Beautiful Price Point + Vegan Pairing Suggestions
The holiday season arrives in a flurry of sparkling lights, celebratory gatherings, and cozy moments by the tree. With Thanksgiving behind us and New Year’s Eve shimmering on the horizon, these next few weeks are filled with the kind of occasions that practically beg for a bottle of bubbles. Whether you’re hosting friends, heading to a family dinner, or planning a quiet night, nothing sets the mood quite like Champagne. And one bottle that consistently over-delivers—without ever overwhelming your budget—is Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte.
Beloved across France and increasingly popular in the U.S., Nicolas Feuillatte represents a modern, accessible expression of Champagne: joyful, beautifully balanced, and inviting rather than intimidating. With its crisp acidity, fine bubbles, and subtle notes of pear, apple, brioche, and citrus, it’s a Champagne that suits holiday brunches as seamlessly as New Year’s Eve toasts. And at its approachable price point, this bottle feels luxurious without requiring a special-occasion budget.
In this week’s Sunday Sips, we’re uncorking everything that makes Nicolas Feuillatte a holiday essential—from tasting notes and sustainable production practices to the best vegan pairings for every type of celebration this season brings.
Why Nicolas Feuillatte Is Your Holiday Season Best Friend
1. A Price Point That Says “Treat Yourself” Without Stress
One of the most compelling aspects of Nicolas Feuillatte is its accessibility. While many Champagnes drift into the splurge-only category, this bottle proudly stays within reach. During the holidays—a season marked by multiple events, dinners, gift exchanges, and sparkling toasts—that matters. You can stock up without hesitation, gift a bottle to a host or colleague, or open more than one at a gathering without worrying you’ve poured your budget into the flute.
2. A Flavor Profile That Works for Almost Anything
Nicolas Feuillatte is known for producing Champagnes that are fresh, fruit-forward, and beautifully balanced. Their flagship Brut Réserve offers:
Fine, steady bubbles
Notes of ripe apple, pear, and peach
A hint of citrus zest
Light toasty brioche from aging
A clean, mineral-driven finish
This makes it extraordinarily food-friendly—which is critical during the holiday season when tables are filled with everything from creamy vegan casseroles to roasted vegetables, pastries, spice-forward dishes, and decadent desserts. Nicolas Feuillatte has the range to complement all of it.
3. A Modern, Joyful Champagne House With a Sustainable Edge
Founded relatively recently in Champagne terms (1976), Nicolas Feuillatte quickly became one of the best-selling Champagnes in France. Its cooperative model supports thousands of growers throughout the region, preserving family vineyards and promoting sustainable practices. They prioritize biodiversity, responsible farming, and reduced environmental impact—values that resonate strongly with today’s conscious consumer.
As you toast through the season, Nicolas Feuillatte feels like a choice that aligns with both celebration and care for the planet.
A Seasonal Champagne for Every Occasion
The holidays bring many different kinds of moments—some glittering, some cozy, some unexpected, and some wonderfully familiar. Nicolas Feuillatte happens to be a Champagne that fits all of them.
Holiday Brunch With Friends
Picture a table set with citrus, fresh herbs, vegan pastries, and warm breakfast dishes. Champagne at brunch always elevates the atmosphere, but with Nicolas Feuillatte’s brightness and clean finish, it feels especially festive without being heavy.
Pair with:
Vegan lemon-ricotta pancakes
Avocado toast with microgreens and pickled onions
Your stone fruit burrata salad adapted with vegan cheese
A vegan holiday quiche with caramelized onions, spinach, and mushrooms
The acidity cuts through richness while enhancing citrus, herbs, and savory notes.
Casual Gatherings by the Fireplace
There’s something magical about glasses of Champagne placed on a low coffee table while guests curl up on soft blankets or sit around the fire. Nicolas Feuillatte’s easy drinkability shines here—you don’t need a formal dinner to enjoy it.
Pair with:
Your roasted carrots with sherry vinegar
A vegan cheese board with fig jam, Marcona almonds, and fresh pears
Warm olives and rosemary nuts
Kale chips with sea salt and paprika
These casual bites keep the atmosphere relaxed while still feeling holiday-special.
A Dinner Party With Family or Friends
Whether you’re hosting early in the season before leaving for a Christmas vacation or planning a more intimate Christmas Eve dinner, Nicolas Feuillatte’s Brut Réserve pairs effortlessly with full plates and long tables.
Pair with:
Your arugula plum salad with pistachios
Roasted cauliflower steaks with mild harissa
A vegan mushroom soup (perfectly creamy and savory)
Zucchini lasagna layered with vegan ricotta
A savory pumpkin shakshuka using plant-based yogurt
Crispy potatoes with herbs and olive oil
Champagne’s acidity brightens savory flavors, cleanses the palate, and adds elegance to hearty winter dishes.
Holiday Desserts & Sweet Treats
Dessert is where Nicolas Feuillatte shines even brighter. While many believe Champagne should be paired only with light treats, its fruitiness actually complements a wide array of sweet flavors—especially during the holidays.
Pair with:
Your banana bread with brown butter cinnamon glaze (made vegan!)
Vegan ginger cookies
Chocolate-covered strawberries (a full-circle moment from Borough Market!)
Vegan pear tart with cardamom
Citrus salad with mint and pomegranate
The Champagne’s apple and pear notes echo winter fruit beautifully.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Nicolas Feuillatte on New Year’s Eve is perfectly on theme—joyful, bright, and effervescent. Whether you’re dancing until midnight or watching the ball drop with your husband at home, it feels like a celebration in a glass.
Pair with:
Truffle popcorn
Vegan sushi with mango + avocado
Edamame with chili salt
Crispy tofu bites with sesame
A vegan charcuterie board
These snacks keep the evening light but festive all the way through the countdown.
Vegan Pairings: A Deep Dive
Because Champagne is naturally vegan (unlike some wines that may use fining agents derived from animal products), Nicolas Feuillatte pairs beautifully with plant-based cuisine. Here’s a closer look at how to pair according to flavor profile:
1. Salty + Crunchy
Champagne loves salt—it heightens effervescence and sharpens fruity notes.
Perfect vegan pairings include:
Rosemary roasted nuts
Crispy smashed potatoes
Sea-salt kale chips
Tempura vegetables
Capers and olives (perfect for your smoked salmon tray concept—minus the salmon!)
2. Creamy + Rich
The acidity in Champagne acts like a squeeze of lemon—lifting richness so it never feels heavy.
Try it with:
Vegan mushroom cream soup
Creamy vegan risotto with peas and lemon
Vegan burrata with heirloom tomatoes
Baked cashew cheese with herbs
Pasta tossed with lemon, olive oil, and almond ricotta
3. Spicy + Aromatic
The bright bubbles cool heat and highlight spices.
Think:
Harissa-roasted cauliflower
Thai basil fried rice
Vegan curry with coconut milk
Spicy jalapeño lime vinaigrette tossed over greens
Salsa-based shakshuka with peppers and fresh herbs
4. Sweet + Fruit-Forward
Desserts with fruit, spice, and light sweetness sing with Champagne.
Guest favorites include:
Pear ricotta toast (made with vegan ricotta)
Peach or plum salads
Citrus sorbet
Apple crisp
Vegan pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup
A Beautiful Bottle to Gift
Nicolas Feuillatte also happens to be one of the most giftable Champagnes on the market. The labels are chic, the legacy is respected but not overly formal, and the Champagne itself has broad appeal—even for people who say they “don’t really drink Champagne.” It’s the type of gift that works for:
Host / hostess gifts
Holiday parties
Colleagues
Neighbors
Teachers or coaches
Your partner’s stocking
New Year’s Eve hosts
Thank-yous for holiday helpers
Adding a small touch—like a handwritten note, a vegan chocolate bar, or a sprig of rosemary tied with ribbon—makes it feel instantly personal.
How to Serve Nicolas Feuillatte for Maximum Enjoyment
A little serving knowledge goes a long way in making Champagne taste its best:
Chill it properly
Aim for 46–50°F. Too cold and the flavors mute; too warm and the bubbles soften.
Use the right glass
Flutes are fine, but white wine glasses are actually ideal—they let the aromas open beautifully.
Open safely
Always twist the bottle, not the cork. And keep a hand over the cage to prevent any holiday mishaps.
Store extra bottles sideways
If you’re stocking up for the season (highly recommended), keep them in a cool, dark place.
A Champagne That Feels Like the Spirit of the Season
There’s something truly joyful about Champagne during the holidays. It’s not just about the sparkle in the glass—it's about the intention to celebrate, to pause, to gather, to mark a moment as special. Nicolas Feuillatte embodies that feeling without ever asking for extravagance or pretense. It’s Champagne for real life—the family dinner where the table is packed, the group brunch where friends laugh too loudly, the quiet night in pajamas wrapping gifts, the fireside hour after a snowy walk, the New Year’s kiss at midnight.
At its approachable price point, it encourages generosity. Open the bottle. Pour another glass. Toast again. Celebrate everything, big or small.
This season, may your holidays be filled with beautiful moments, joyful gatherings, and glasses that sparkle with possibility. And may Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte be part of the memories you make—one lovely sip at a time.
