Celebrating Champagne

Celebrating Champagne redefines champagne as a year-round lifestyle drink, pairing 40 seasonal French-inspired recipes with expert champagne pairings.

Combining elements of recipe books, wine guides and history works, Celebrating Champagne stands apart by pairing seasonal, French-inspired dishes with the myriad of complementary champagnes, creating a comprehensive guide that’s both engaging and unique.   

Inspired by champagne educator Sally Hillman’s beautiful cartography and vision, this book pairs the art of French cuisine with the diversity of champagne styles, offering 40 seasonal recipes and expert pairing tips. Organised by season, it introduces readers to the history, geography and production of champagne through a fresh and accessible lens, giving this renowned wine both cultural and gastronomical context.  

Each chapter begins with a thoughtful quote and an introduction to the champagne styles suited to each season, followed by in-depth explorations of the Champagne region, complete with detailed maps and historical insights. For example, the refreshing Chardonnay-based champagnes of the Côte des Blancs and its surrounding region are explored through the lens of summer, pairing their bright elegance with vibrant, summer dishes. Beautifully illustrated with stunning photography, the book also inspires seasonal table styling and curated menus featuring French cheeses, produce and more.  

Blending art, history and lifestyle with approachable wine education, Celebrating Champagne is the ideal champagne compendium for modern wine enthusiasts, home entertainers and lovers of French culture alike, offering a unique guide to savouring one of the most universally beloved drinks all year round.  

Champagne was an important element of family celebrations while Sally Hillman was growing up, so her enthusiasm for this intriguing and diverse French wine was embedded from an early age. Her grandfather was known for only ever drinking lemonade; however, teetotaller Pa always made an exception for champagne, believing it was reserved for life’s most joyous occasions – a sentiment Sally has embraced as her own.  
A lifelong scholar of the French language and culture, Sally’s fascination with champagne deepened over time. In 2018, her expertise was formally recognised when she was named a finalist in the prestigious Vin de Champagne Awards, hosted by the Australian Bureau du Champagne. Combing her flair for interior design, talent for styling, and a passion for hosting with inspired food and champagne pairings, Sally has since dedicated herself to educating and presenting on the art of champagne.