Why four top chefs say you should be drinking champagne with beef, not red wine

For generations Brits have paired the nation's favourite roast dinner with a glass of red wine. But a team of innovative chefs from across Europe have now discovered that a champagne complements Britain’s most iconic dish just as well. 

Chefs from France and England have taken their findings a stage further to develop a five course menu with each dish designed around, and paired with, a different champagne. 

The innovative food and fizz pairings are the result of a collaboration between Moët & Chandon and Jockey Club Catering, with the menu making its debut at the Moët & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket’s Adnams July Course next month. 

Dispelling the myth that only red wine should be drunk with beef, Damien Adams, Head Chef at Newmarket Racecourses, explained: “The Roast Sirloin main dish produces an exciting and unexpected pairing, highlighting the Pinot Noir grape which is in the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008. This champagne has a longer time in the cellars, to develop more intense flavours and a fuller body, which stands up to the richness of this dish, the same way we’re used to with a red wine”.

 As well as beef, the four chefs behind the masterpiece have paired ham hock with Brut Imperial, trout with Rose Imperial and Ice imperial Rose with meringue. Marco Fadiga, Moët & Chandon Executive Chef, added: “Often I say, I am like a tailor, I cut my recipes around the champagne until it fits perfectly.”

The Moët & Chandon Dining Experience will launch at the eponymous Moët & Chandon July Festival taking place from Thursday, 13th to Saturday 15th July, with the package only available to 90 people each day.

During the experience a Moët & Chandon sommelier will bring the collaboration to life and talk diners through how each dish and Champagne has been hand selected to complement one another. 

The relationship between Moët & Chandon and The Jockey Club dates back to 1908 when Moët & Chandon’s British agent, Alfred Simon, won two races at Epsom Downs Racecourse on his horses: “Moët” and “Chandon”. To celebrate his sporting victory, he bought Champagne for the whole racecourse.

It really is summer at its best at Newmarket Racecourses over the three days of the Moët and Chandon July Festival. Racegoers are not only treated to world-class racing, including arguably the best sprint race in Europe on the Saturday, the Darley July Cup, but also a fabulous summer party atmosphere with Thursday celebrating Newmarket’s annual Ladies Day and Friday, Gentleman’s Day too.

The Moët and Chandon Dining Experience is still available on Friday and Saturday of the Festival with prices starting at £450 per person. For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk

For further information/images, please contact

Aaron Field at Triggerfish Communications on aaron@triggerfish.co.uk or 020 7233 9700