Suitable wines for my Christmas menu
This year I asked two wine specialists for advice on the Christmas menu.
David Bolomey, our neighbour on Gerard Schaepstraat, also gave delicious tips last year. Additionally, Michiel ter Heide from Vleck wines and a long-time customer provides his advice. Both work as much as possible with natural and organic winemakers.
Wine suggestions
Starter: French rillettes of mackerel and capers
David Butterfield Bourgogne blanc 2019 (Bolomey) Mackerel is a fatty fish and especially when processed into a rillette, it’s nice to have a wine that is also a bit fuller with some lovely acidity. The Chardonnay from Butterfield pairs well here!
Les Vins Contes R20 (Vleck) Super fresh and intense red, on the acidity but that dissolves in the fats of the rillettes. A golden exciting combination from a master. Also pairs well with the vegetarian starter.
Tartare of beetroot with horseradish
Le G de Château Guiraud 2017 (Bolomey) Fresh wine with lovely acidity (perfect with beetroot) and depth from subtle oak aging. The ultimate Christmas feeling together with the horseradish.
Soup: Celeriac soup with walnut pesto
Captain Cuite (Vleck) The chenin grape is very rich and exciting, this version especially. Celeriac is earthy. Earth and oxidation. The wine and the soup elevate each other to the next level.
Main course: Venison stew and wild boar bitterball
Fond Cyprès Cyprès de Toi Rouge 2020 (Bolomey) A sunny southern red wine goes well with venison stew and the spiciness of the terroir pairs nicely with salsify and pear.
Jarnicoton 2019 (Vleck) Bordeaux blend merlot/cabernet-sauv/cabernet-franc, hyper intense, super juicy, depth from 100% biodynamics for very little money compared to Bordeaux. Real, real wine, brilliant wine, if we say so ourselves. Also pairs well with the mushroom stew.
Forest mushroom stew and truffle bitterball
Domaine de l'R Chinon Le Canal des Grands Pièces 2020 Cabernet franc is delightful with mushrooms! Earthy but also very juicy and cheerful.
Dessert: Christmas baba with passion fruit custard and marigold
Les Churelles de Juchepie 2018 (Bolomey) Very rich and intense but fine acidity and a hint of bitterness provide balance with this lovely dessert.
Muscat de rivesaltes (Vleck) Classic from Roussillon. Lightly fresh sweet rustic and not sticky, the big pitfall of dessert wine.
Ordering or picking up:
The wines from Bolomey Wijnimport can be ordered online or picked up at Gerard Schaepstraat 8 in Amsterdam. Since they are not always there, it’s handy to call first at 020 422 3098.
Vleck wines are located at Eerste Helmersstraat 63hs in Amsterdam.
By: Marleen
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