Pre-Order Sally Hillman’s Upcoming Book on Champagne
In a perfect world, everyone would have a glass of champagne every evening.
About The Book
The modern-day wine drinker and the much-loved home cook have a lot in common. Guided by seasonality and with an eye to moderation and sustainability, both are convives à table, seeking experiences new and nostalgic, merry-making and memorable. They are passionate proponents of eating and drinking better—not more—and choosing quality over quantity for meaningful and intentional living.
As advocates of life-affirming moments at the table, we wrote this book to share our love for champagne and French cooking and culture, as well as the connection and comfort they bring when harmonised thoughtfully.
The truth is that many people don’t give much thought to champagne. It’s often a cliché for celebration: the pre-drink before the main event. Yet, in Champagne, the world’s greatest sparkling wine is just that: a wine first—or vin de terroir (a wine of specific place and time)—and a champagne second. And, like all wines, there are nuances and intricacies to champagne and infinite levels of appreciation and enjoyment to be had when it is paired with food, company and moments, both ceremonious and unconventional.
Champagne's Essence
Beyond being just a drink for celebration, champagne tells a story of people, their history and their traditions—and of those breaking from them. To us, the authors, champagne is a vinous raconteur attuned to our many moods and emotions. It finds a place at the table to inspire the imagination, nourish the soul and satiate the palate all year long, any time of the day. The wine of kings and the king of wines, champagne is a perennial favourite for wine lovers; it is a wine for all seasons.
The experience of seasonality extends beyond simply matching champagne and food to the weather too. It’s also about complementing (or contrasting) champagne with the activities, thoughts and feelings that unfold naturally on any given day. It’s about the people we’re with, the time of the day, the table setting and the ambiance, all drawn together to impart a feeling of joie de vivre and a romantic air of je ne sais quoi.
But, not only can champagne be matched to an experience, it can also shape it. A glass of champagne taken at leisure can have a replenishing effect on the mind and body, sparking deep, encompassing joy and exuberance, and turning a modest go-to meal into an occasion.
Celebrate Everyday
Choosing how to spend our day is perhaps the single most important decision we make, and we do so both consciously and unconsciously. From convivial occasions to contemplative reprieves, there are no ordinary moments in life. Every day is worth celebrating—even the little things—and champagne makes these everyday celebrations possible.
As you peruse this book, we hope you’ll gain even more enjoyment and appreciation for a wine that already brings so much joy. Such a sense of wellness and fulfilment is, in and of itself, deserving of celebration.
Synopsis
This is a lifestyle book of champagne and accompanying food recipes, organised by season. It seeks to inspire readers to celebrate champagne throughout the year and to learn about its history, geography and production in a fun, accessible way. It also encourages readers to cook and eat seasonally, while giving cultural and gastronomical context to champagne so as to develop a deep appreciation for one of the world’s most beloved drinks. The book contains champagne, lifestyle and food photography and illustrations.
Explained in conjunction with Sally Hillman’s own maps of the Champagne appellation, the wines produced in each of the four official vineyard areas of Champagne are matched to the seasons. For example, the refreshing Chardonnay-based champagnes from the Côte des Blancs and surrounds are discussed in terms of summer palates and menus.
Each seasonal chapter begins with a quotation that sets the tone and an introduction to the styles of champagne that our palates gravitate toward in each season. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the chosen Champagne vineyard area and its champagnes, accompanied by Sally’s cartography and relevant history. A lifestyle section inspires readers to style their dining tables with seasonal flowers and glassware and to satisfy their palates with seasonal produce, French cheeses and recipes. Champagne pairing options and ‘fun facts’ are included, where relevant.
Our intended audience is global; thus, champagne is the focus within each seasonal chapter and we do not contrast between events held in the northern and southern hemispheres e.g., Easter is held in our autumn, but it falls in spring for those in the northern hemisphere. To address this, we have instead situated two recurring segments between seasonal chapters to remind readers that champagne can be celebrated universally, regardless of the hemisphere and its season. The first segment illustrates important champagne concepts, while the second details global events that inspire the raising of a glass of champagne by month (e.g., from March to May, internationally celebrated events include Easter).
Through the common experience of worldwide holidays and seasonal changes, this book articulates both the diversity and versatility of champagne.
What Is Unique About The Content Of This Book
A concept developed by Sally Hillman in 2018 and reflected in her colour-coded cartography, there is no book on the market that explores champagne through a seasonal lens. To our knowledge, there are also no recipe books on the market that focus on pairing the myriad styles of champagne with food. It therefore stands apart from pure recipe books, champagne cocktail recipe books, champagne history books, champagne reference books and wine rating guides.
Thus, this book fills a gap in the world of champagne and wine literature. It is situated between lifestyle, cooking and education, satisfying a gap in both the local and international markets.
Written to be accessible to a general audience yet provide enough information to engage wine enthusiasts, this book will aid in the appreciation of champagne as a lifestyle wine that can be enjoyed year-round and not just for special occasions. Blending art, history, education, lifestyle, food and wine, this book intends to appeal to the modern wine drinker, the home entertainer and those who have a keen interest in French culture and tradition.
Target Readership
Our intended audience is global, particularly the international markets where champagne dominates, such as the US, the UK and Europe.
Our target readership is champagne enthusiasts, wine hobbyists and those who enjoy entertaining at home with seasonal table arrangements, food and wine.
A reminder that all images in the draft are ours or where noted, placeholder images. We do not have an illustrator.
Testimonials
Pre-order Today!
Don’t miss your chance to own Sally Hillman’s Champagne book—the ultimate guide to bubbles, culture, and celebration. With limited availability, secure your copy now and be among the first to discover the artistry and stories behind every glass of Champagne.
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