🍾 Post dedicated to the end of another summer season in Algarve, to the pairings and recipes that I tested and approved!
In a true paradise where the sea meets the land, in one of my favorite places to spend sunny days, listen to the sound of the sea, put your feet in the sand, I also had the opportunity to taste authentic wines, sparkling wines and champagnes.
However, what captivated me most, you can imagine, was the perfect pairing that I thought of and created for each of the dishes and local seafood that I had the chance to taste.
Therefore, I prepared a delicious post and below you can see in detail the names of the labels, the styles of the drinks and each paired dish that I chose or prepared for the following drinks: Charles Heidsieck Champagne, Clos de La Bergerie white wine, Cava Anna from Cordoniu and Monte da Peceguina white wines and the charming Chardonnay and viognier blend from Quinta do Pinto. 🍾🥂
DISHES AND WINES TASTED
1️⃣ Champagne Charles Heidsieck and grilled scallops with Champagne sauce:
The effervescence, consistent perlage and high acidity of the Champagne emphasised and agreed on the palate with the succulence and creaminess of the scallops. The carbonation clean and balance the palate after each bite, allowing the delicate flavours of the scallops to be felt even more in the mouth. As an accompaniment, the creaminess of the cauliflower purée matched the creaminess of the champagne in the mouth and emphasised both textures. In terms of contrasting flavours, the acidity of the drink was felt in contrast to the fat of the butter used in the preparation. It was also possible to feel the acidity of the sauce agreeing with the acidity of the champagne. This was one of the best pairings during our stay and one that I particularly enjoyed. And if you want to know more about how to prepare scallops and how to pair them, click here.
Price of Charles Heidisieck champagne: approximately 50 euros
2️⃣ Monte da Peceguina and Lingueirão à Bulhão Pato:
The Monte da Peceguina white wine, with its full-bodied texture and citrus notes, paired harmoniously with the Lingueirão à Bulhão Pato. The acidity balanced the richness of the dish, while the flavours intertwined in a tasty dance on the palate. The wine is made from a blend of my favourite Portuguese white grape varieties: Antão Vaz, Encruzado, Arinto and Viosinho. It's therefore an excellent value for money wine, as it has body, acidity, aromas and structure. Its producer, the famous Herdade da Malhadinha, has drawings made by the family's children on the label, an emblematic mark of wines not only from the Alentejo region, but also from Portugal. As for the dish, if you want to know more about Bulhão pato sauce, just click here. In this link I've taught you how to prepare mussels a la bulhão pato, to make clams, garlic or cockles, you just change the ingredient, as the recipe process is the same!
Value of Monte da Peceguinha wine: Approximately 14 euros.
3️⃣ Clos de La Bergerie and Oysters:
The Clos de La Bergerie, from the Loire Valley in France, is the birthplace of the Chenin Blanc grape variety. With its minerality and freshness, it was the perfect match for the salty, mineral flavour of the oysters. The subtlety of the wine brings out the complexity and salty flavour of the oysters, providing a match made in heaven.
This white grape is the star of the valley, especially in the Anjou and Saumur sub-region. It produces white wines with great acidity and an incredible ageing capacity. Clos de Bergerie 2015, an exceptional wine from Nicolas Joly, embodies the excellence of the Loire Valley, which is known as the "jewel in the crown" of French vineyards, and it's not hard to see why.
With its stunning landscape and favourable climate, it's the perfect setting for producing exceptional wines. This is the terroir where Nicolas Joly chose to grow his vines. The wine is a testament to his devotion to quality. Nicolas Joly is a true visionary in the world of wine. His unique approach to organic and biodynamic viticulture has been a beacon for many winemakers in search of exceptional quality and sustainability. He is a guardian of the terroir and a defender of authenticity. His wine, Clos de Bergerie 2015, is a living expression of its commitment, as it enchants with its depth and complexity. The drink has a wealth of flavours, fruity and mineral notes and a remarkable balanced acidity. The grapes for Clos de Bergerie 2015 are grown in biodynamic vineyards in the Savennières sub-regions. The characteristic schist soil gives the wine minerality and depth, and from here comes the perfect match for the oysters.
This wine is a true reflection of the Loire Valley's unique terroir and Nicolas Joly's commitment to producing exceptional wines. A bottle that encapsulates the authenticity and tradition of this magnificent wine region. This vineyard is famous for producing some of the best white Chenin Blanc wines in the world.
Passionate about sustainable farming practices, Nicolas Joly adopted the principles of biodynamic agriculture in his vineyards. He believed that working in harmony with nature, observing the lunar cycles and respecting the terroir would result in wines of exceptional quality. His rigorous approach and commitment to biodynamics soon set him apart as a leader in the wine community.
Value of Clos de la bergerie wine: Approximately 90 euros
4️⃣ Cava Anna de Cordoniu sparkling wine and Guillo-style prawns:
The sparkling wine Cava Anna de Cordoniu, the oldest winery, founded by the visionary Anna, with its fine bubble due to the traditional method and its citrus touches, harmonised against the spicy flavours and the mixture of garlic and pepper in the prawns a la guilho. The sparkling wine's refreshing acidity and citrus flavours with hints of almonds soften the dish and lift it with every bite.
Price of Anna de Cordoniu sparkling wine: 12 euros
5️⃣Quinta do Pinto: Quinta do pinto white wine, made from a blend of two French grape varieties: chardonnay and viogner, demonstrates with great subtlety how these grapes can shine and produce mining wines, balanced, fresh and elegant in the terroir and region of the Portuguese capital. This is the style of wine that, in a blind tasting, gives the "false" impression that it is not a Portuguese label, but a French one. Precisely because it has two French grape varieties and their respective characteristic aromas: a light floral and stone fruit aroma, typical of viogner, and a refreshing minerality that chardonnay offers when it's in a terroir near the sea and receives breezes blowing in from the ocean. This wine paired perfectly with oysters, grilled tiger prawns with butter and accompanied by a creamy and pickled radish (bringing acidity and flavour to the dish) added to the delicious, crunchy and soft grilled octopus tentacles and the creamy mashed sweet potato. This was certainly one of the great surprises of the trip!
Price of Quinta do Pinto wine: 15 euros
Nothing beats the perfect combination of full-bodied or mineral white wines, sparkling wines and delicate champagne with the gems that come from the sea.
Finally, the pairings show how the right choice of wine or sparkling wine can elevate the gastronomic experience by enhancing the flavours of seafood dishes.
So now it's your turn! How about trying these combinations on your next culinary adventure? Share your stories and unique experiences of pairing in the comments or tag @cozinhadalivia on social media so I can see and also share and inspire other readers! 🍷🍤✨ #Winepairing #WineEComida #SegredosDoAlgarve #chefliviaguimaraes
Comments