2012-12-24

Discover Alsace – e-newsletter 1



In the northeast of France, along the eastern foothills of the Vosges, there are rows of undulating, vine-covered hills, quaint villages with narrow streets and charming flower-decked houses clustered around the local church steeple.

This is Alsace, the famous white wine region that welcomes visitors throughout the year.

In December 2012, we arrived with first snow at Colmar, met a number of passionate

winegrowers and celebrated the season in festive markets and villages.



Wine experts tips


Nelson Chow. Hong Kong cuisines match well with Alsace wines because of the features of different Chinese regional cuisines incorporated. Spicy aroma of Sichuan dishes can be enhanced by Alsace wines. Aged Alsace Grand Cru wines pair particularly well with Shanghai cuisine for its heavy sauce.

Jordan Choy. There are a lot of welcoming domains in Alsace. I found Hugel et Fils in Riquewihr the most interesting because the estate is centrally located in the town which is rare. The Guinness recorded one of their ancient oak casks dating back to 1715. The town Riquewihr is also enchanting and worth a visit.
 
 

Places & Domaines visited
 

Domaine JB Adam
Since 1614, the ADAM family wrote the history of Alsace wines in Ammerschwihr, each bottle reflects 400 years of expertise and 14 generations of improvements. This passion, dedication, and love for wine, is transmitted to us by Jean-Baptiste and his daughter during a private tasting in their charming cellar.

Secret: In 1883, the Adam father offered each of his 5 kids an Oak barrel that are still in use and producing the best cuvees…
 
Our selection

• Crémant d’Alsace, Emotion: perfect assemblage of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

The Emotion range represents the best of the best bubbles.

• Pinot Gris, Letzenberg 2010: harvested by hand and offering the best of the terroir, the Letzenberg soil offers aromatic and delicate Pinot Gris with a perfect balance of sweetness.
 
Contact

Mr Jean-Baptiste Adam

5, rue de l'Aigle , 68770 AMMERSCHWIHR

Tel: +33 (0)3  8978  2321 / Email: jbadam@jb-adam.fr

english.jb-adam.com
 
Available at

SYBA (China) Ltd.


Riquewihr Village
Situated between the peaks of the Vosges mountains and the Plain of Alsace, Riquewihr is a medieval town in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards, one of “ the Most Beautiful Villages in France”. 11 km to the north of Colmar, it is surrounded by Grand Cru vineyards of Schoenenbourg and Sporen, and home to famous domains such as Hugel and Dopff.

Being regarded as “the Gem of the Alsace Vineyards”, this magnificent town has

combined antique architecture with its world-famous wines. It is an “open-air museum”, housing some well-preserved old buildings and monuments.

Admirably decorated with flowers in spring and summer, the town takes on the colors of Christmas during the Advent period, in a unique atmosphere that combines the magic of Christmas with the Alsatian traditions. Shops are decorated with festive ornaments and Christmas Market is opened for locals and tourists.
 
For more information

Office de Tourisme du Pays de Ribeauville et Riquewihr

2 rue de la 1ere Armée, Riquewihr

Tel: +33 (0) 3 89 73 23 23

 

The Grape of the week


Crémant d’Alsace

AOC Crémant d’Alsace represents 22% of the production.

Fresh and elegant, Crémant d’Alsace is developed by secondary fermentation, predominately made from Pinot Blanc, and also from Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling or Chardonnay.

White fruit aromas (pear, apple), sometimes with hints of dry fruit, white blossoms and brioche.

An elegant, gently sparkling wine with fruity freshness
Serve at 5°C-7°C

From aperitif to dessert, its delicate effervescence will slowly awaken your senses and magnificently complement your entire meal.

 Where to find Cremant d'Alsace?

Domaine Barth René from Vins Gallery www.vinsgallery.com


Food & wine matching


Crisps with seeds and spices


Ingredients

90g flour; 1 coffee-spoon of curry ; small egg whites; 80g butter ; Sesame and poppyseed ; Provence herbs; Sea salt


Directions

Melt the butter and beat the egg white until firm/stiff. Mix the flour with the butter, then add in the egg white, a pinch of salt and the curry. Cover the dough with a film and let rest in fridge for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 170°C and cover the baking tray with a sheet of baking paper.

Take 1 coffee-spoon of dough and flatten into a thin disk. Do the same for the rest of the dough. Sprinkle sesame seeds on one third of the discs of dough, poppy seed on another third and provencal herbs on the rest. Bake for about 6 minutes, until golden brown. Sprinkle with sea salt after finishing baking.
 

Travel tips
 

AIR FRANCE

Michel Roth signs innovative and authentic dishes on the Air France Business Class menu. 

As from 1st February 2013 and for a period of 8 months, on all long-haul flights departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Air France’s Business Class customers will be able to enjoy exceptional dishes signed by Michel Roth.  After Joel Robuchon and Guy Martin, Michel Roth will become the new ambassador of the French cuisine.  He will present six unique main dishes, the result of traditional and inventive cuisine.  His dishes will be renewed twice a month for the pleasure of frequent travellers.

Originally from Lorraine, Michel Roth worked at the best restaurants in France, finally stopping at the Ritz, where he earned his second Michelin star as head chef of the restaurant “L’Espadon”.  In 1991, he won the “Bocus d’Or” Award and the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”.

His cuisine, a mixture of authenticity, simplicity and humanity, has its roots in local French produce, where the authentic taste of French cuisine is respected.  This rigor and creativity that Michel Roth has shared and passed on to the Servair Chefs, who make dishes for Air France passengers, have a single goal: “to give pleasure and make others happy!”

This winter, Air France is offering 10 weekly flights, including seven evening and three day departures, from Hong Kong to Europe and beyond via its hub in Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. 

For latest offers & reservations, contact Air France at (852) 2501 9433 or visit airfrance.com.hk

Distance

From Hong Kong to Strasbourg: 9330 km

From Strasbourg North to South: 170 km

Airport Strasbourg Eistheim to Strasbourg City Center: 18 km

Time Difference from Hong Kong

Summer time -6H00 / Winter time -7H00


Local contacts

CIVA

Le Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace

12 avenue de la Foire-Aux-Vins

BP 11217 - 68012 Colmar Cedex France

Tél. : (+33) 03 89 20 16 20


Alsace Tourism Board





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