Historic lands for noble wines… 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 flowerdecked 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.
Click
here to discover all the producers and restaurant we visited…
Wine expert tips
Andy LAU – Sommelier
It was a fruitful journey in Alsace. Meetings with bio-dynamic winemakers, such as Josmeyer and Zind Humbrecht, are fantastic experience - I felt their passion and learnt their know-how. The visits to boutique wineries such as JB Adam and Didler Cade are full of surprises, for their wines are elegant and show the typicality of Alsatian fine wines. Of course, you must not forget notable names such as Trimbach who offers great Riesling. Besides the wineries, I enjoyed the discovery of medieval towns where I could savor the true beauty of Alsace through time.
Places & Domaines visited
Cave Vinicole d’Orschwiller
Along the beautiful Alsace wine route, on the way from Colmar to Strasbourg, we spotted on top of a peak the magnificent Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg which has been protecting the village Orschwiller and its vineyards for centuries. Here we found Cave Vinicole d’Orschwiller, a cooperative that works with 70 vinegrowers on the slopes of Hochkönigsburg and the Grand Cru vineyard “Praelatenberg” which was recognized for its exceptional lieu-dit since 823 by the monks of the l'Abbaye d'Ebersmunster. Alongside the modern wine-making plant, they also own a interesting wine shop-museum, where we could see vinegrowing and winemaking tools in old days.
Our selection
• Riesling Les Faîtières 2010
Beautiful and elegant nose. Good minerality, rich and long finish.
• Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Praelatenberg 2010
Frank and expressive on nose with typical bouquet of kiwi and lychee. Beautifully ripen and round. A wine with good potential.
Contact
Mr André Maldonado
Tel: +33 (0)3 8892 0987 / Email:
maldonado@cave-orschwiller.fr
www.cave-orschwiller.fr
Available at
WinpoAsia Limited
www.winpoasia.com
Laurent Vogt
Further north of Orschwiller and before Strasbourg, we arrived at a quiet town Wolxheim to visit the boutique winery Laurent Vogt. Once we stepped into their home, we forgot immediately the chilling wind – the warm red wine house, the lovely garden and welcoming smiles of the owner couples Sylvie and Thomas all melted our hearts. The family does have a special affection for sweetness, producing some of the best vendanges Tardives and a very special cuvee, "Un doux Frisson en attendant Léo" 2008 – a Sylvaner varietal ice wine resemblance made for celebrating the birth of their son Leo – from which the passion on their land is passed onto the next generation.
Our selection
• Riesling Grand Cru Altenberg de Wolxheim 2009
Bright color with long finish. Besides the classic steely yet elegant character, the wine is rich and long finished probably due to its substantial residual sugar level.
• Crémant d’Alsace 2009
A 100% Chardonnay wine made from Méthode Champenoise. Fine bubbles evolve with attractive chocolate flavor.
Contact
Mrs Sylvie and Mr Thomas Vogt
Tel: +33 (0)3 8838 8128 / Email:
thomas@domaine-vogt.com
www.domaine-vogt.com
The Grape of the week
Riesling
Riesling Riesling represents 21,2% of entire Alsace wine production. Renowned as one of the best white grape varieties in the world, Alsace Riesling is an excellent food wine.
It is characterized by intense freshness that can be appreciated from start to finish; the bouquet is elegant and racy, with delicate fruity aromas and flowers. As it evolves, Riesling is unique in that, depending on the soil in which it is planted, it develops mineral aromas.
It has a natural affinity with fish and shellfish. It gracefully highlights the saltiness and is delicious with poultry, white meats and Shanghai dumplings.
Where to find Riesling?
MAISON TRIMBACH Riesling Clos Saint-Hune 2002 / 2003 from ASC Fine Wines
www.asc-wines.hk
Food & wine matching
Tarte Flambée
Ingredients (for 4-5 pax)
500g of bread dough ; 350ml of whipped cream ; 1 tea spoon of oil ; 56g diced onion 90g smoked breast bacon ; 56g butter Seasonings Salt, grated nutmeg
Directions
1. Brown the diced onion in the butter and add to the cream; add seasoning.
2. Slice the smoked breast bacon into small pieces and brown a little in a pan.
3. Roll out the pastry very thinly and place it on the tray.
4. Spread the cream and onion mixture over the pastry.
5. Sprinkle the oil and bacon bits over the top.
6. Cook for 10 minutes in a very hot oven, at maximum heat (280°C).
Ready to serve with
DOMAINE DOPFF AU MOULIN Pinot Blanc 2011 from Fine Vintage
www.finevintage.com.hk
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
Contacts
CIVA
Le Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace
12 avenue de la Foire-Aux-Vins
BP 11217 - 68012 Colmar Cedex France
Tel. : (+33) 03 89 20 16 20
www.vinsalsace.com
Craving delicious cheese pairing with French wines? French Moment is launching a South of France Wine & Cheese Workshop at Monsieur CHATTÉ, the authentic French Gourmet shop in Sheung Wan!
