With the holidays, we go out to dinner. Preferably with guests close to your heart. Feast with people who fit together effortlessly. Because there are differences, but also because of the many similarities. There are families among wines too. Take the Pinot family from Alsace, for example: three unique wines from one family.
The Pinot family
The Pinot family are three grapes that are related to each other namely: pinot blanc, pinot gris and pinot noir from Alsace. These are fine table companions and therefore pair perfectly with a festive menu. To complete the family feast this year, consider inviting a Pinot descendant to each course of your dinner. For example, Pinot Blanc with the starter, Pinot Noir with the main course and Pinot Gris with the dessert.
Pinot Blanc d'Alsace: for & fish
A dry Pinot Blanc d'Alsace is an all-rounder that moves easily with the texture of the dish. Pinot Blanc is inherently fresh and fruity, with apple and pear, but in a Pinot Blanc d'Alsace it is joined by the subtle smoothness of ripe peach and sometimes even cream butter. It keeps itself fresh and fruity next to a salad with seafood or goat's cheese, comes across a bit juicier when rounding up salmon tartare and vitello tonnato, and kindly refreshes the creaminess of pasta and risotto.
Pinot Noir d'Alsace: head & cheese
For every main course, whether fish, meat or vegetarian, there is a Pinot Noir d'Alsace. Indeed, this wine is never heavy and always fruity, with aromas of strawberry, currant and raspberry. It varies from nimble reds to drink lightly chilled to plump reds with spiciness from ageing in oak barrels. Even if you don't know exactly whether you have a light or a 'heavy' one, it's a wine you can control. With its elegance, Pinot Noir d'Alsace goes perfectly with fish and vegetarian, as well as poultry and pork. Its supple texture means you can drink Pinot Noir d'Alsace quietly with cheese.
Pinot Gris d'Alsace: dessert & afterwards
After all the savoury, it's time for something sweet. There are those wines in Alsace too. Pinot Gris is fruity, with exotic aromas of tropical fruits and spices, complemented by floral notes of rose, among others. In particular, the rich Vendanges Tardives, from late-harvested, sugar-rich grapes are special dessert wines. Although their fragrant opulence makes them a dessert in themselves, they turn any dessert into a 'grande finale'.
- Pinot Gris d'Alsace Vendanges Tardives goes well with fruit desserts, crème brûlée, ice cream, ginger bavarois, trifle or blue cheese like gorgonzola.
- The drier Pinot Gris d'Alsace Sec is less suitable for dessert and matches with pâté, charcuterie, smoked fish, mackerel mousse, portobello gratin and roast turkey
The Pinot family is all set for the festive season and is only too happy to dine in.
Would you like to invite the Pinoots?
We are giving away 6 Alsace Pinot packages with:
Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve 2017
Available at Gall & Gall
Suggested retail price €21.99
Domaine Fernand Engel Alsace Réserve Pinot Blanc 2020
Available at Wijnkoperij Platenburg
Suggested retail price €10.65
Balthazar Fry Pinot Noir
Available at Perfect Wine
Suggested retail price €10.49
This competition is closed
For more information on Alsace wines and points of sale, visit www.alsacewijnen.nl
This article was created in collaboration with Vins Alsace.
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