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There was a time when Champagne was only for special occasions; maybe a holiday or anniversary or your best friend breaking up with her boyfriend—things you want to celebrate. But in recent years, the rise of the less rigid Prosecco and California sparkling wines have made bubbles a much more casual drink, with the French eventually following suit. Cue: fancy food entering the casual luxuries chat. And chief among them? Caviar. Caviar may seem like a far-reaching delicacy—something you might imagine only a cartoon man with a monocle would enjoy. But the rise of “accessible luxury” and bolstered by the tinned fish trend, caviar and a bone spoon might not be far from your future. Especially since the idea of Couch Caviar is taking off on TikTok. Photography by Emily Dorio How Caviar Came Home Snack influencer Cortney Lacorte is at the forefront of bringing caviar into your home—specifically to your sofa. “Couch Caviar,” as she calls it, isn’t anything you find between the cushions; it’s a vehicle to bring you a small amount of decadence into your day-to-day. Lacorte’s recipe for success is loosely a potato chip, caviar du jour, creme fraiche, chives, a nice bottle of expertly paired wine and The Real Housewives. The specifics of each of those are up to flavor profiles, but the result is the same: a beautiful way to end the day. The genesis of Couch Caviar is a relatable moment for all. A few years ago, Lacorte’s husband was out of town for a weekend. And after a long week juggling work and her kids, she was determined to have some "self-care” on her couch post-kids bedtime. A friend of hers had been posting about caviar, and then it dawned on her: this was her moment. So, she threw the kids in the car and drove to Whole Foods without a shopping list. She grabbed a middle-of-the-road caviar, some potato chips, creme fraiche and chives. That night, she made herself her first caviar spread on the couch. Lacorte documented the entire experience and posted it on Instagram—and thus Couch Caviar was born. The idea is to treat yourself. “Part of the undertone of ‘Couch Caviar’ is that you can have this insanely special, luxurious moment in your sweats, on your couch, watching your favorite show just because you needed a little self-care on a Tuesday,” Lacorte says. “Now, caviar is expensive, so this isn't a realistic weekly indulgence moment for most of us, but I think the idea of ‘Couch Caviar’ extends further than the caviar itself.” Lacorte compares this trend to similar ways that luxurious experiences have entered the everyday. “It echoes the notion that we don't have to ‘save the good china’ for holidays and special occasions,” she says. “Let's be honest: life can be a lot sometimes, and we are all doing the best we can. Indulging in something as beautiful and delicious as caviar is also a way to take care of yourself.” A Beginner's Guide to Couch Caviar Pairings The formula for Couch Caviar is easy to replicate at home. Mix up the potato chip flavors, the garnishes and just add some sort of fish roe. Of course, Lacorte kindly offered us a few beginner recipes. “People are seeing that eating caviar doesn't have to be fussy or intimidating—you can eat it with potato chips, with fried chicken or a baked potato,” she says. “Knowing how and what to eat it with is half the battle. The more you see something, the more you (likely) want to eat it!” Among the brands Lacorte recommends are Roe Caviar and Fishwife. “For a more affordable ‘everyday’ caviar, grab a jar of salmon roe from the grocery store,” she advises. The OG Bite Pairing Salt and vinegar potato chip, creme fraiche, minced shallots and chives paired with an unoaked French Chardonnay. Wine Enthusiast recommends: The Holiday Bite Pairing Fried chicken with Crèmant d' Alsace or even a blanc de blanc. Wine Enthusiast recommends: The Dinner Party Pairing Baked potatoes, creme fraiche, caviar and chives with Sancerre. Wine Enthusiast recommends: More Caviar Coverage Make this caviar-spiked tartare when you’re feeling fancy. These tiny caviar-topped potatoes are totally luxe. Try our recipe for poached halibut with a caviar beurre blanc. On this episode of the Wine Enthusiast Podcast, we explore the rise of caviar in the U.S. Beyond bubbles: What to drink with caviar. Move over, osetra—California caviar is on the rise. In the shop Wine Enthusiast Somm Universal Handblown Wine Glass In Stock | $34.99 Shop Now

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