Monday Night Wine: Family Meal a Dinner for Two

 

(The hills of Alsace outside the village of Kaysersberg, Alsace - photo by Jeffrey E. Porter)

Since moving to Los Angeles, Shauna and I have not used our kitchen to its full potential. Working five nights a week and having split days off we usually spend one night out on the town and the other with family or friends, but this weekend we made a pact to just be together and cook a simple meal at home for two. It could not have been a more wonderful day, the weather was perfect (par for the course here in LA), we rode our bikes to the Larchmont farmer's market bought a bounty of greens (we decided to take a break from meat for a night), and then set off for a ride around town on our bicycles (not usual for LA, but growing in popularity). My plans for dinner centered around Shiitake mushrooms, pea shoots, broccoli rabe and baby bok choy. I had been craving a dinner of greens, grain and spice that would pair well with an Alsatian wine I had in the fridge...mission accomplished. I braised the bok choy in a touch of sesame oil, sake, soy sauce and water to get them super tender and a touch browned for texture. In a wok I stir fried the mushrooms, pea shoots, broccoli rabe, minced ginger and garlic with soy, sake and water. The only thing that would have made it better was a dash of Sriracha sauce, but we did not have any (I know, I could not believe it either). We served the greens on a bed of quinoa and a glass of distinct and "minerally" white wine, "Metiss" Les Pinots d'Alsace by Domaine Bott Geyl.

Wine: "Metiss" Les Pinots d'Alsace

Winery: Domaine Bott Geyl

Vintage: 2006

Grape(s): Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir (vinified white)

Appellation: Alsace AOC, France

Retail: $20.00

Website: Domaine Bott Geyl

WInery Information: The Domaine has been growing grapes in the region since 1795! The family continues today to farm their parcels with the passion and devotion that established Botty Geyl as a winery known for producing wines that are terroir specific, elegant and well structured. The family owns 14 hectares of land which includes vines in five Grand Crus. All of their vines are grown following biodynamic agriculture and all the wines are labeled with the Certifie Agriculture Biologique, France's organic farming certifying body.

Notes: The wine is pale gold in color with aromas that are clear, focused and intense. The wine's bouquet do not leap out of the glass but instead waft gently up and wrap around you in a gentle embrace. There are hints of Asian pears, green apples, lemon pith, white flowers, yellow plum and tons of minerals (chalky). The palate is medium in body but grabs the palate like it is hanging for its life. The texture is so intriguing and unique that I was taken aback, I love wines with texture and substance and this wine defines this characteristic. It is not harsh but the wine does not let go with its focused minerality and bracing acidity. I really enjoyed this wine and as it evolved over our meal and the evening I smiled more and more.

Comments

[Tatjana Brown]

I carry this Pinot Gris at my shop it is LOVELY! We paired it with a sharp, nutty style of goat's milk cheese from a local dairy last week at a tasting. Delicious contrast of flavors!

http://mezawineshop.wordpress.com/

Glad to see someone enjoying it as much as we have!