• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • CDNIS School newsWhat’s new on the school scene?
        • Dr. Stephanie JOHNNIDES Veterinary clinic3 Hong Kong veterinarians with a passion for pets
        • Hong Kong news - new book by Robert Ferguson, Wild Creatures of Hong KongWhat’s new in Hong Kong?
        • Business ownersBringing female business owners together
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Mid-Autumn Festival LanternsTop 35 Best Things To Do In Hong Kong This Weekend
        • Hong Kong news - new book by Robert Ferguson, Wild Creatures of Hong KongWhat’s new in Hong Kong?
        • Trivia Time: 20 Questions on TV
        • rugby world cup teamsRugby World Cup teams and timings!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
        • CDNIS School newsWhat’s new on the school scene?
        • CDNIS English teacherBuilding Momentum at CDNIS HK
        • Technology educationWhy STEAM and technology education matters
        • Paul Wicker - Headmaster Malvern CollegeMeet the new Headmaster at Malvern College
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • MARIANNE OBENA - decluttering, organising and organisation skillsMake decluttering the home a breeze
        • Interior eye candy, modern homes and resort luxury!
        • Home decor furniture Hong KongHome news: décor, furniture & more!
        • Best pillows HeveyaHow to choose the best pillow for you!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • Mongolia - kidsA family adventure in Mongolia
        • Mount DavisHiking Ideas: A Mount Davis Meander
        • Voco hotel MelbourneA cool Melbourne hotel in the heart of the city
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • new restaurants - bengal brothersNew nibbles: where to dine this September
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • Middle Eastern Restaurants and cuisine in Hong Kong - Mama MaloufTaste Test: Middle Eastern Eats
        • Taste Test: Where to get great burgers in HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Hair and beauty salonOne-stop shop for hair, skincare and beauty
        • Lip glossesTried and Tested: Lip glosses and lip liners
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
        • capsule wardrobe minimalistHow to build a capsule wardrobe
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Dr Keith HarimanBusting myths around treatment-resistant depression
        • rugby world cup teamsRugby World Cup teams and timings!
        • Mindlife-ADHDIs adult ADHD affecting your relationship?
        • Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023Expat Living Reader Survey 2023
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • Magazine
    • Advertise With Us
    • Close

Fine French Wine – from Alsace! Our guide to the region’s best

22 November, 2016 by Expat Living 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/fine-french-wine-from-alsace-our-guide-to-the-regions-best/

This year’s Le French Gourmay Festival aims to introduce Hong Kong to the wonders of the Alsace region. Known for its outstanding food and wine, this tiny piece of France has a lot to offer. Fancy an Alsatian tipple? Then you’ll need to read this…

 

wine in Hong Kong
Fine French Wine – from Alsace!

 

Fact File – The Wines of Alsace

  • Alsace produces around 160 million bottles of wine a year, and all varieties have AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) status, which ensures consistency and high quality – this means it’s all good!
  • Alsace Grands Crus is a new regulation that recognises outstanding vineyards. To be entitled to Grands Crus status wine must be made from hand-picked grapes from sites within Alsace that meet strict criteria for geology and micro-climate – a tough reward to earn (only 4% of Alsace’s wines qualify) but highly prized!
  • Crémant D’Alsace is the crown jewel of sparkling wines and is produced using strict traditional methods. The grapes are picked at the very beginning of the harvest (an auspicious time), and Crémant D’Alsace is one of the top sparkling wines consumed in France today – it’s definitely one to pull out on special occasions!
  • Winemakers are increasingly pushing the limits with their grapes and chasing Vendanges Tardives status. Late harvest grapes are picked when they have reached maximum ripeness – with extremely high levels of sugar – which makes them likely to produce wines that are considered to be exceptional.
  • Unlike other French wines, which are named after the vineyard or villages they are made in, Alsace wines are labeled with the grape varietal, for example Alsace Riesling.
  • All varieties are sold in a distinct green bottle, called a “Flute of Alsace” and all Alsatian wines are bottled in the region where they are produced.

 

 

Champagne anyone?
Champagne anyone?

Food Pairings

There are seven main grape varietals grown in Alsace, and 90% of the wine produced in the region is white. Now, it’s great to know where they come from and how they’re made but what we really want to know is how to drink them. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

 

Riesling: Fruity, spicy and often earthy, Riesling from Alsace is highly regarded, and is one of the varieties afforded Grands Crus status. Drink it with sushi, shellfish, citrusy desserts, poultry, cheese, or charcuterie.

Muscat d’Alsace: An aromatic and dry wine that’s lovely with vegetable dishes, or served as an appertif.

Pinot Gris: This smoky and fresh white wine goes well with mushrooms, risotto, and wintery comfort foods like roast meats and heavy sauces.

Sylvaner: Perfect for summer evenings, serve this one with shellfish, cold meats, or salads

Gewurztraminer: A rich, fruity and well-bodied wine, this one steals the show as the most famous of Alsace’s wines. Pair it with strong cheeses, spicy Asian or Indian dishes.

Pinot Blanc (or Auxerrois): fruity, delicate, fresh and well-rounded, this wine is best paired with egg dishes, light fish, chicken or pork, and salads.

Vendanges Tardives: Enjoy with dessert or as the finishing touch to a meal on its own, also delectable with hard cheeses.

Cremant D’Alsace: No excuse needed! Drink this anywhere, anytime.

Pinot Noir: The only red wine produced in Alsace and the only grape used in the production of Crémant D’Alsace rosé. Serve this fruity and complex wine with red meat, mild cheeses, and the local favourite asparagus. The perfect red for summer.

To find out more about Alsace visit region-alsace.eu or www.tourisme-alsace.com and don’t forget to have a sneak around our Wine and Dine page for more food and drink recommendations in Hong Kong and beyond!

Categories: Further Afield Travel Wine & Dine Tags: France Things To Do Wine

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

You May Also Like

Live in Hong Kong reader survey 2023

Expat Living Reader Survey 2023

Taste Test: Where to get great burgers in HK

A mouthwatering recipe for Lamb Shank Rogan Josh!

Primary Sidebar

  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.