Moët & Chandon Champagnes Paired with Indian Flavours in Rare, Kinsale.

press release

Moët & Chandon Champagnes Paired with Indian Flavours in Kinsale.

Innovative Pairings. Not just Oyster and Lobster.

A Five-Course Tasting Menu, Paired with Moët & Chandon Champagnes, at Rare at The Blue Haven, Kinsale

Rare at Blue Haven invites guests to a specially created five-course tasting menu from Executive Head Chef Meeran Manzoor, thoughtfully paired with a variety of Moët & Chandon Champagne by acclaimed sommelier Julie Dupouy, on Friday 18th September.

Each course has been designed around the character of a different Champagne from Moët & Chandon's range — Brut Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage and Ice Impérial — with Meeran building the menu from the pairing outward, rather than selecting wines to match finished dishes.

Meeran takes a considered approach to pairing his food with Champagne, ensuring the spice and intensity of each dish never overpower the delicate flavours of the wine. Rather than having the Champagne sit alongside the food, he incorporates its character directly into the pairing, balancing spice, acidity, richness and texture so that food and Champagne complement one another.

He says, "When I'm building the pairing menu, I look closely at the balance of acid, spice and fat, and how those elements will work with the Champagne. Whether it's butter-rich sauces, fresh citrus, a light coconut and shellfish bisque, or crispy garnishes that add texture and lift, every element has a role to play. I want the food to feel unmistakably Rare, with our core values and style coming through, while allowing enough freshness, richness and balance for the Moët to shine. Ultimately, it's about creating harmony between the food and the Champagne, so neither feels like an afterthought, and both elevate the overall experience."

Guiding guests through the evening will be Julie Dupouy, one of Ireland's leading sommeliers, four-time winner of Ireland's Best Sommelier and a bronze medallist at the ASI World Sommelier Championship.

Speaking about the pairings, Julie says, "We chose these Champagnes because they each bring something different to Meeran's cooking. The Brut gives us freshness and acidity, the Rosé brings a little more fruit and depth, while the Grand Vintage has the structure and complexity to work with his more layered dishes. The Ice works beautifully with spice, citrus and brighter flavours. What's important for us is that the Champagne and the food feel connected — that neither one dominates, but that each brings something out of the other to create a memorable experience for our guests."

Tickets for the tasting menu and Champagne pairing evening at Rare are €165 per person. With very limited availability, guests are advised to book early. For bookings, email bookings@bluehavenkinsale.com or find out more at www.bluehavenkinsale.com.

Follow Rare at Blue Haven on social at @rarekinsale for the latest news and updates.