Y’all know that I love my bubbly, so when the French sparkling wine label, Le Grand Courtâge, asked me to partner with them to come up with a few perfect cocktail party pairings for the holidays, I raised my glass and jumped on board. They also wanted me to help them give away a luxurious weekend trip to Santa Barbara, but more on that later! It’s been amazing to have the chance to get to know the brand’s founder, Tawnya Falkner, who gave up her career as a designer/developer and moved to Burgundy to follow her travel and wine-making passions. Le Grand Courtâge was born as an invitation to “embrace life, dream big, accept all invitations,” and it’s all about embracing such affordable luxuries not only for special occasions, but also for the simple, everyday moments. Something we could all do a little more often, especially around the holidays, no? As the calendar begins to fill with happy hours, cookie swaps and holiday soirées, I find myself searching for simple hors d’oeuvres that I can assemble in minutes, but that feel 100% party-worthy. Keep reading for three that pair perfectly with Le Grand Courtâge’s Blanc de Blanc & Rosé…and did I mention that you could win a weekend getaway to the four-star Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, complete with a wine country tour for two? Yep, more on that below, too…
For my first pairing, I wanted to create something that played off the Blanc de Blancs’ crisp, refreshing flavor. These Asian meatballs in lettuce cups are the perfect spicy and salty accompaniment and incorporate global flavors that are a little less expected on the holiday table. I used this recipe for the meatballs, but made my life easier by purchasing a ginger-soy dipping sauce. Set the lettuce cups out on chic bambu plates and pair with glasses of the granny smith-inflected bubbly for a sophisticated cocktail party.
My next pairing is perfect for a holiday get-together with the girls – the gorgeous shade of the fruitier Rosé just begs for a festive little shindig. These fig and stilton tartlets are a delicious match: the strawberry and floral notes of the wine enhance the figs’ sweetness, while the stilton provides the perfect pungent kick. Around the holidays, I keep all these ingredients on hand so I can assemble the tartlets for last-minute guests. Fill purchased pastry cups with a teaspoon of creamy stilton (or other blue cheese), quartered of fresh figs, candied walnut halves and a drizzle of honey. Line up on a rustic cutting board and bon appetit!
This last hors d’oeuvres is my standby for when I need to set snacks out for guests but have zero prep time…though it’s just as delicious enjoyed solo with a glass of Blanc de Blancs in front of the fire on a cozy night in. Place air-popped popcorn in a big bowl, and add a teaspoon of melted butter, a drizzle (or more) of truffle oil, some freshly-grated parmesan, lots of coarse salt, and (since it is the holidays, after all) a few generous grates of white or black truffle. So delish.
And now, The Get-Away Giveaway!
With the chaos of the holiday season upon us, making time for life’s simple pleasures can be difficult. To help carve out some time to rejuvenate your soul and help you ‘sparkle,’ Le Grand Courtâge is offering Camille Styles readers the chance to win:
- Two-night stay in a beautiful king guestroom at the four-star Bacara Resort & Spa adjacent to Santa Barbara.
- A gourmet basket of goodies, treats and Le Grand Courtâge products to enhance your stay.
- Bacara Adventures Wine Country Tour for Two – guided tour of the Santa Ynez Wine Country with a knowledgeable guide who will take you (in a luxury SUV) to visit multiple wineries and enjoy an elegant gourmet picnic lunch overlooking the vineyards.
Bacara is stunning, elegant and unique with an abundance of life’s simple pleasures as well… tide pools, the wine country, a private beach, picnics, lounging at the pool, star gazing. With 78 acres of ocean front property, including two miles of natural beach, 3 infinity swimming pools and 4-star restaurants – Bacara Resort & Spa offers an expansive sun-drenched setting with endless vistas of sea and sky, while the innovative and artful design of the resort hearkens to the aesthetics and intimacy a Mediterranean village.
Sounds like heaven, right? Cannot wait to see who wins this one, and to enter, all you have to do is hop over to Le Grand Courtâge’s Facebook page and “like” it! Contest ends this Friday the 9th, and we’ll announce the winner right here.
Good luck, and be sure to add Le Grand Courtâge to your shopping list this holiday season for all the hostesses in your life – it’s super affordable, and the gorgeous bottle makes it perfect for gifting. Cheers!
*Entrants must be at least 21 years of age or older to enter. Offer is based on availability. Certain blackout dates will apply.
*images by Chelsea Fullerton for CamilleStyles.com
Absolutely love this contest! beautiful photos!
Hi JT, Chelsea, the photographer, here. Thanks for the kind words. I just entered, too! What an awesome giveaway, huh? Good luck to you!
AWESOME giveaway, Camille!!
Amazing giveaway! This tired mama could certainly use the vacay! xx
Awesome giveaway! I liked their page and entered
I love your pairing ideas!
What a spectacular giveaway!
BEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!!!!!!!!
Bacara is one of Oprah’s fav hotels… which means its one of mine! haha Liked the page!
Woohoo!! Entered and waiting with bated breath!
It looks beautiful! We are going to Santa Barbara for our honeymoon in 2 weeks as part of our road trip through California!!
What an amazing giveaway!!
Awesome giveaway!
Great giveaway!!!
Looks Lovely!
That would be AMAZING!! YES PLEASE…
Awesome giveaway!!!!
Amazing!! Praying to the giveaway gods for this one
I am crossing every finger and toe possible! This would be such an amazing 30th birthday surprise
Yay! Thanks Camille. I liked their page and entered the giveaway!! I live a couple hours away in the Napa Wine Country! I LOVE Santa Barbara. Would be a much needed getaway. xo
Wow, what a great giveaway! I have a photo of Bacara on one of my interest boards – we’ve been dying to go here. Fingers crossed!!!
Lovely giveaway! Fingers crossed that I win…a getaway is much needed.
What an amazing giveaway! I would die to win!
LOVE.
what a fantastic giveaway – done and done and entered! thanks for sharing!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a giveaway this good! We’re thinking about getting married in Santa Barbara so this would be the perfect opportunity to visit! Just liked them on Facebook and now crossing my fingers!
amazing giveaway.. crossing my fingers!
So excited! Awesome giveaway Camille! Just liked it!
This is so exciting! I’m a Santa Barbara native but I’ve lived in the Midwest for the last decade. It would be amazing to experience my hometown as a tourist though!
LOVE the Bacara! Was just there for a conference in September – would die to go back for an actual vacation. So beautiful!
such a gorgeous place! this giveaway is bomb.
Oh, would I love to win this!
I can’t imagine a more relaxing way to sneak away from freezing temps!
This giveaway is just what I needed. Looks like an amazing place to visit.
Beautiful!!!!
I love bubbles! I cannot wait to try La Grande Courtage. Do you know where I can by it in Austin? Hopefully I will get to stay at Bacara Resort in the future!!
Love the photos AND the champagne!!! Can’t wait to see who wins….good luck everyone!!!! Hope I FINALLY get a little vaca with my honey!!
Finger’s crossed!
What an amazing giveaway, Camille! And I love the popcorn pairing- it’s so easy and such a crowd pleaser! Why did I never think of that?!
Beautiful photos.
Thanks Kim! Chelsea (the photographer) here.
And good luck on the giveaway! A trip to Cali would be the perfect getaway this winter.
Amazing giveaway, those delicious bites- esp the fig/cheese tart look YUMMY for an upcoming get together, thank you for the idea and heads up about Le Grand Courtage!!!
such an amazing giveaway and photos are so lovely!
This would certainly be a nice first taste of the West Coast!
Incredibly giveaway! I am crossing all my fingers and toes! Also, planning on trying some of your drink recipes this holiday season – great ideas!
AHHH, this would be amazing!! Haven’t been on vacation in foreverr!! Thanks for a great giveaway!
What an amazing giveaway!! Our wedding is in SB this spring, love it there!!
SUCH a great giveaway! A getaway like this one would be so refreshing!
Santa Barbara is beautiful any time of the year!! I can’t wait to try Le Grand Courtage, it looks delightful !!
Oh my heavens Camille — what an amazing give away… how special. Fingers crossed!
This would be fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway!
Amazing giveaway! I would love to trade the whine at home (3 little ones
for some delicious wine!
Thanks for the giveaway! You’re right, this is the most AMAZING giveaway!
Thinking good thoughts of winning…!
oh my goodness this looks like heaven!!
I am with you Camille, I love my bubbly as well. I am captivated by the bottles, gorgeous. I would love to win this contest I need a vacation. This location looks divine, the photos get me giddy.
oh wow that would be aaamazing!!!
Looks like a perfect getaway!
Just liked their FB page and am so excited to see who wins. My hubby and I are celebrating our 5-year wedding anniv. in December, so a trip to California would be ideal! XO
Your food pairings are sophisticated, yet simple! For a hostess, that is the perfect combo! And you’re right… This getaway giveaway is a little piece of heaven! “Liked” on fb and crossing my fingers!
Everything looks wonderful, Camille, so tasteful and delicious, of course.
Ada
This looks amazing wine and that view, please oh please! fingers crossed – Patti
This is an absolutely amazing giveaway! Thank you for sharing. I love the look of their bottles and will be on the hunt for their brand next time I’m in the store. Crossing my fingers!!!
I need this getaway badly! Looks beautiful!
Entered! Who doesn’t love Santa Barbara? And how gorgeous is Le Grand Courtâge’s packaging? Just stunning!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing giveaway! And gorgeous bubbly. I plan to order some for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Keeping my fingers crossed! What a fun post!
What a fun getaway! I’ll certainly keep Le Grand Courtâge in mind this holiday season.
WOO-HOO now this is my kind of giveaway. Love me some wine and wine country! Take me to Santa Barabara! Oh, and I liked Le Grand Courtage’s FB page
What an amazing giveaway!! The perfect Getaway!
WHAT THE…whoa.
Totally entered!!!!
Crazy amazing giveaway! Love it!
Super awesome, what a dream!
Great Giveaway!
Such an amazing prize!!!
oh yes indeed
Great prize for an amazing weekend!