I had the chance to taste some delicious food and sip some lovely wines at a media lunch yesterday.
Hosted by Philippe Dandurand Wines at West in Vancouver, Patrick Doucet and Frédéric Raynaud of the Pfaffenheim wine co-op talked us through five of their wines from Alsace:
- Pinot Gris 2011 ($18.99)
- Pinot Gris Steinert Grand Cru 2008 ($34.95)
- Gewürztraminer Steinert Grand Cru 2009 ($34.95)
- Gentil ($19.99, but not yet avail.)
- Black Tie ($19.99, but not yet avail.)
While there wasn't an offensive or dull wine in the lot, some were more lovely than others.
Alongside the AOC and Grand Cru Pfaffenheim wines, were two new wines—two wines not yet in our market: Gentil and Black Tie. Of the two, Black Tie, a blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris, was my favourite. Notes of citrus and tropical fruits met my nose. On the palate, this well-balanced wine was juicy, lively, and fruity. I really enjoyed it with my crab risotto topped with basil and grapefruit. I will buy this wine when it arrives in our liquor stores.
(The crab risotto was, by the way, out of this world. I remember the last time I was at West, when Jurgen Gothe told me the secret to good risotto: "Seventeen minutes.")
More pictures of our afternoon are in Rick Rake's Facebook album.
Salut!
Copyright © 2012 Kathleen Rake. All rights reserved.
