Asparagus, a fickle vegetable to match

White asparagus owes its color and special characteristics to the fact that it does not see daylight, since it grows entirely under the ground. earth. Long considered a noble product, it has a subtle taste, particularly delicate and fine, and a soft texture. Its melting, fibrous flesh, pronounced root and iron character, and a slight bitterness. make it a difficult dish to match. Despite this reputation, there are many wines to accompany it.

The first thing to note is that red wine is not very compatible with asparagus! The bitterness of asparagus hardens the tannins and means that they tend to overwhelm the delicate flavor of the asparagus.

It’s therefore wiser to stick to dry white wines that are rather fruity, particularly aromatic and with good minerality. It’s also important to focus on the simplicity and subtlety of the crus in the marriage of flavors, and to avoid overly complex cuvées aged in oak barrels.

What to drink with white asparagus

An Alsace Sylvaner

To pair with white asparagus, look for dry whites with vegetal, almost herbaceous notes, renowned for their freshness.

Alsace Sylvaner is characterized by its liveliness, minerality, freshness and vegetal character – sometimes even aromas of freshly cut grass can be detected.

It’s a light, discreet wine with aromas of white fruit, flowers and citrus that won’t overshadow the taste of asparagus.

Alsace Sylvaner is beautifully aromatic and has the acidity to stand up to asparagus without overpowering the taste. A perfect match for the terroir!

A Touraine white wine

Touraine white wines are made exclusively from Sauvignon, a particularly aromatic grape variety. These wines have an invigorating liveliness that can stand up to asparagus; their aromatic palette often includes herbal notes that form harmonious, almost tone-on-tone chords with white asparagus and are perfectly suited to it.

Sauvignon Blanc has a fresh, tangy character that contrasts well with the bitterness of asparagus.

A white Touraine is particularly recommended with white asparagus in mousseline sauce. Mousseline sauce is a mustard and lemon-based sauce that brings out the delicacy of asparagus. There’s nothing like a fruity, citrusy Sauvignon to compliment the lemon in the sauce!

A white Burgundy

White Burgundies, often made from Chardonnay grapes, bring a fruity, mineral quality that perfectly complements a dish of white asparagus.

These wines are full-bodied, soft, rich and structured, with a slight acidity. The aromas of hazelnut and fresh butter and the roundness of the Chardonnay blend very pleasantly with the particular flavor of asparagus.

Our tip: open a white Burgundy to accompany white asparagus with hollandaise sauce!

No more hesitation when asparagus season comes around, and try these pairings!