Sally Hillman's new book makes a compelling case for why champagne Is the ultimate food wine

For many wine lovers, champagne is synonymous with milestone moments – birthdays, weddings and New Year's Eve corks ricocheting off the ceiling. But for Australian writer and champagne educator Sally Hillman, the world's most celebrated sparkling wine deserves a far more permanent place at the table.

Her new book, Celebrating Champagne: A Wine For All Seasons, does exactly that, repositioning champagne as a wine for everyday pleasure rather than occasional extravagance. Combining wine education, French-inspired recipes, cartography and beautiful tablescapes, it's an invitation to enjoy champagne across all four seasons.

Sally's love affair with Champagne began early. "My grandfather, when I was younger, used to bring Moët & Chandon to our family celebrations," she says. "I made that connection with bubbles and sparkling wine to the fun of family celebrations, and I think that just continued to grow with me."

That childhood fascination eventually evolved into a serious passion. In 2018, Sally was named a finalist in the prestigious Vin de Champagne Awards, an experience that proved transformative. "What it showed me was that I knew a lot, and that what I had to share with others was viable."

From there, the idea for a book slowly took shape. "I realised that I needed to write a book that captured the appellation and the terroir and my angle of looking, which is driven by seasons and colour."

Author Sally Hillman.

That perspective is what makes Celebrating Champagne so distinctive. Organised seasonally, the book explores Champagne's diverse subregions through the lens of food, mood and occasion, pairing 40 French-inspired recipes with carefully chosen styles. Alongside detailed maps and historical insights, readers will also find table-styling inspiration, curated menus and accessible explanations of one of wine's most fascinating regions.

For Sally, Champagne's greatest strength is its versatility. "Basically, positioning champagne as an everyday enjoyment, not just for celebrations and grand occasions." And, crucially, its affinity with food. "The acidity in it is what makes it so food-friendly. It clings to your palate and allows you to go back and have that next mouthful."

Spend time with Sally, and it's hard not to be persuaded. She delights in introducing friends to the joys of matching champagne across an entire meal. "People are amazed when you do that with them. They're like, 'Whoa, don't we need a red wine here?' And it's like, well, if you choose a blanc de noirs, that's actually a red wine."

The book is equally welcoming to newcomers and seasoned collectors alike. "It appeals to people who are interested in Champagne and whose knowledge might be quite small," Sally says. "What I try and bring is that perspective of the French enjoyment of food and wine."

That perspective, for Sally, is about enjoyment of quality more than anything else. "It's really exciting to see how even though there are some stresses on the wine industry at the moment, people are still very interested in drinking maybe less but better. And I love that concept. It comes back to the French ethos as well, where they'll maybe have just one or two glasses at dinner, but they're one or two glasses of the most amazing wine that you could ever wrap your lips around."

Celebrating Champagne: A Wine For All Seasons presents 40 seasonal French-inspired recipes with expert champagne pairings.

That approach and emphasis on quality extends to every page. From the thoughtfully designed maps to the sumptuous photography, Celebrating Champagne is as visually compelling as it is informative. Sally worked closely with her design team to ensure every colour, image and detail reflects the seasonal spirit at the heart of the book.

And the response has been immensely rewarding. "Seeing people embrace it and actually cook the recipes and take the time then to pair a champagne has been a particular highlight," she says.

As Mother's Day approaches, Celebrating Champagne makes a thoughtful gift for the wine-loving mother, grandmother or host in your life – especially one who appreciates beautiful books, exceptional food and, naturally, a glass of something sparkling. Because, as Sally so convincingly demonstrates, champagne isn't just for celebrating life's biggest moments. Sometimes, opening a bottle is the occasion itself.

Find out more about Celebrating Champagne: A Wine For All Seasons here.