Culture Food & Travel News & features

Billecart-Salmon and The Connaught launch special pairing to celebrate new vintage release

Billecart-Salmon and The Connaught launch special pairing to celebrate new vintage release

Champagne Billecart-Salmon and The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair have announced a special offering to mark the launch of the Nicolas François 2012 Vintage. Starting from the 11th of April, 2025, for one month, guests at The Connaught who order a glass of this newly released cuvée will be treated to a complimentary canapé specifically designed to complement the champagne’s profile.

This initiative celebrates the heritage of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, a family-owned Maison established in 1818, and its continuous tradition of crafting exceptional vintages. The 2012 Nicolas François is a blend of Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs, noted for its balance and maturity following an exceptional growing season. The vintage can be described as having a rich aromatic finesse, balancing intensity with depth, and is partially vinified in traditional oak casks.

The Connaught pairs this champagne with a canapé of caviar and tuna tartare, chosen to enhance the cuvée’s delicate flavours. Lucas Reynaud-Paligot, Head of Wine at The Connaught, commented: “Paired with this cuvée, I really like the idea of Tuna and Caviar, beautiful texture, to balance between the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay grapes. Round and fresh that’s the balance and the delicatesse of the tuna and the generosity of the caviar. A true indulgence to enjoy a glass of Nicolas François 2012 at the Connaught Hotel.”

Mathieu Roland-Billecart, head of the Champagne house and a descendant of the founders, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, “The Connaught Hotel serves only the finest food and wines to the most demanding guests in the world. At Billecart-Salmon, we pride ourselves on producing exceptional tasting experiences and naturally, they taste even better when enjoyed in the most beautiful places. We therefore had to celebrate this with our friends at the Connaught Hotel.”

Champagne Billecart-Salmon remains dedicated to its founding motto, “Give priority to quality, strive for excellence,” a principle that has guided the Maison through more than two centuries in the highly competitive champagne industry. 

This initiative underscores the shared values and heritage symbolized by the greyhound emblem seen on both the champagne house and the hotel.

Food Desk

For further information on The Connaught, visit the hotel’s website here. For more about the 2012 Nicolas François Vintage, visit Billecart-Salmon’s website here. 

More in Food & Drinks

Dukes London unveils winter whisky tastings and cigar lounge for 2026

Food & Travel Desk

Swedish Michelin-starred forest restaurant Knystaforsen reopens with renewed focus on local ingredients and open-fire cooking

Food & Travel Desk

Albert Adrià to receive best European chef award at Madrid Fusión 2026 for groundbreaking contributions to gastronomy

Food & Travel Desk

Orfali Bros reopens in Dubai in a new era for Middle Eastern dining

Food & Travel Desk

Chef Jaime Pesaque unveils Yachay, a new creative culinary atelier in Lima

Food & Travel Desk

Oblix at The Shard to host Burns Night dinner with The Macallan whisky and modern Scottish menu

Food & Travel Desk

Scottish chef Darren Ross brings open-fire residency to London’s Carousel for Burns Night celebrations

Food & Travel Desk

Wild Idol and The May Fair Bar launch Broadway-inspired alcohol-free cocktail menu for January

Food & Travel Desk

Luke Selby appointed chef partner at Palé Hall amid major developments

Food & Travel Desk