I love to cook at home, even more so when it comes to inviting friends and family over for a good dinner. However, it’s not easy to please everyone when it comes to choosing a wine. That’s why I choose wines that are accessible, easy to drink and still have character. In this sense, Beaujolais wines are often a wise choice. Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Juliénas, Fleurie, Moulint-à-Vent, Morgon, Régnié and Saint-Amour are no less than 10 crus that symbolize the diversity of Beaujolais and its outstanding terroirs. Beaujolais wines go perfectly with rich and generous bistro-style cuisine, but also with more exotic dishes. Here are four ideas of dishes to share with your friends and family to pair with a Beaujolais wine!
Vegetable Curry with a White Beaujolais Wine
When we think of Beaujolais, we often talk about Gamay, the king grape of the region, but we tend to forget that the region also produces superb white wines made of Chardonnay, such as this very pretty Cuvée La Galoche, produced by Domaine Saint-Cyr. Mineral and fruit-driven with notes of green apple and tropical fruit, this wine has great freshness and vibrant acidity that perfectly counterbalance the spiciness of the cauliflower and pea curry. Choosing a wine to pair with Indian food is never easy, but the pairing here works perfectly. This white Beaujolais would also be a great choice with any vegetarian dish.
Beaujolais La Galoche 2018
Appellation: Beaujolais
Producer : Domaine Saint Cyr
On sale at the SAQ here.
Recipe on Marie-Claire’s website.
Chicken and Shrimp Nasi Goreng with a Beaujolais Rosé
What about rosé wine now? Beaujolais also produces rosé wine made of Gamay. This rosé produced by Château Cambon is worth discovering. Dry and lively, with notes of small red fruits, it has a slightly spicy finish. A wine that makes you salivate and that needs a dish with strong flavors. I chose to pair it with a nasi goreng, a spicy rice dish that is typical of Indonesia. With this dish containing chicken and shrimp and being relatively spicy with the chili pepper from the sambal oelek, the rosé was an excellent choice. A white would have been too bland for this dish, a red would have killed it, so this rosé was the perfect compromise!
Château Cambon Beaujolais 2018
Appellation: Beaujolais
Producer : Château Cambon
On sale at the SAQ here.
Recipe here.
Duck Parmentier with a Régnié Cru Wine
Régnié, one of the 10 Beaujolais crus, may be one of the least known, but believe me, it should be on your radar if you are a gamay lover. And Julien Sunier should be at the top of your list of producers to discover! This particularly fruity wine is synonymous of conviviality. The kind of bottle that should absolutely be shared with friends. With its slightly spicy side and good acidity, this wine will require a rich and delicate dish. The duck parmentier was just perfect! The delicacy and saltiness of the duck confit, the taste of the porcini mushrooms, married to the creaminess of the mashed potatoes… What a beautiful combination with this delicious Régnié from Julien Sunier!
Julien Sunier Régnié 2017
Appellation: Régnié
Producer: Julien Sunier
On sale at the SAQ here.
Recipe on the website of La Ratte du Touquet.
Salted Pork and Lentils with a Cru Moulin-à-Vent
I couldn’t have finished this article without proposing a gastronomic pairing with a Moulin-à-Vent, one of my favorite Beaujolais wine appellations. The combination of power and elegance of this vintage produced by the Lardet family called for a dish full of flavor. So what better way to enjoy this wine than a classic French dish: petit salé aux lentilles. With its pretty nose of cherry and liquorice and its generous and generous side, this wine would delight the lovers of well-structured gamays. Ideal to break up the very salty side of the dish. Little advice, ideally choose a Moulin-à-vent with already a few years in the cellar and more melted tannins, the pairing will be even better. A Morgon would also have been very appropriate with this succulent lentil dish.
Family Lardet Moulin-à-Vent Le Nid Tradition 2017
Appellation: Moulin-à-Vent
Producer: Famille Lardet
On sale at the SAQ here.
Recipe on Marie-Claire’s website.
I hope I have convinced you to think more often ofBeaujolais wines and their different crus. Their drinkability and diversity make these wines ideal companions for meals with friends or family. A convivial concept that now has a name: Beaujonomie! To be drunk in moderation, of course. Cheers!
To learn more about Beaujolais wines, please click here.
This article is a collaboration with Les Vins du Beaujolais.
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