| The Pinot Noir ... the red wine of Alsace | ||
| Pinot Noir, which originated in Burgundy, is the only red wine variety authorised in Alsace. At first, it was principally destined to produce light and fruity wines, with a light cherry-red colour, but more and more Alsace Pinot Noir is now vinified as a red wine, which has in fact revived a very ancient tradition. As well as being widely used to produce AOC Alsace wines, Pinot Noir is also authorised for the production of sparkling AOC Crémant d’Alsace, both as Blanc de Noir and as Crémant Rosés.
Although Alsace has always been renowned for its white wines, many documents referring to wine cellar inventories of religious institutions and to tithes paid to the Church in the Middle Ages, mention considerable volumes of red wine. Among the 40 grape varieties used at that time, Pinot Noir was one of the most important. Curiously, the production of red wine began to decline at the end of XVIth century, and only a few localities in Alsace kept the tradition alive (Ottrott, Saint Léonard, Boersch, Saint Hippolyte, Rodern, Marlenheim…). The grape variety that many people today consider as a novelty is in fact a link with the past, and it is enjoying considerable success. In constant expansion since 1950, Pinot Noir currently accounts for 9% of the total vineyard area (compared to only 2% in 1969, for example). Food and wine Rosé Pinot Noir Dry, delicately fruity and served chilled, it is perfect with a country buffet or picnic with cold meats and salads. Red Pinot Noir Matured longer and sometimes aged in oak barrels, this more full-bodied, wellbalanced wine is becoming increasingly popular. Red Pinot Noir, with its deep colour and intense cherry aromas, makes an ideal partner for red meat and game. More generally, Alsace Pinot Noir wines go well with white meats and poultry, with certain cheeses, and because they are not too tannic, why not enjoy them with fish ! It would also be a pity to forget that there are many international dishes that go particularly well with Alsace Pinot Noir : tabouleh, lamb tajine, couscous… Not to mention chocolate-based, not-too-sweet desserts and soft fruit dishes that marry well with the bouquet of these wines ! |
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