Pinot Gris from Alsace
History
A famous legend claims that about 1565 vine plants have been reported from the town of Tokay (Hungary) by the Baron Lazare of Schwendi, who served the House of Austria in its struggle against the Turks. Owner of land in the country of Baden and Alsace, he had ordered to multiply these plants in Kientzheim (where his castle still exists, property of the Brotherhood of Saint Etienne ). At that time in fact the wine regions of European countries dreamed of producing Hungarian Tokay, popular and strong wine produced from the Furmint grape.
But, according to the theses of several ampelographers, it is likely that the varietal brought by Lazare Schwendi did not match the famous wine of Hungary. Pinot Gris, originally from Burgundy and known for its qualities and faculties to produce very concentrated wines, then it would have been substituted under the name Grauer Tokayer.
Besides its ampelographic and gustatory aspects, the tormented history of its various denominations that have caught the attention of the wine world. Grauer Tokayer called before 1870, Pinot Gris was then successively named Tokay gray, Tokay d' Alsace, Tokay Pinot Gris and finally, since April 1, 2007, Pinot Gris.
..................................................
Tasting
Color
Pinot Gris has a beautiful golden yellow color, or amber.
Nose
generally less intense, but of great aromatic complexity, Pinot Gris often develops typical smoky notes: aromas of undergrowth burned branches, mosses, mushrooms, dried fruits, apricot, honey, beeswax, bread of spices ... being quite secret by nature, Pinot Gris benefits from being decanted a few moments before being served to fully appreciate its complexity.
Mouth
it is full of noble wine that presents a lot of stuff , a wonderful roundness sometimes to a slightly soft opulence , but always supported by good freshness . It is the balance of power makes it so attractive.
..................................................
Food and wine
Pinot Gris is a wine whose strong personality agrees with dishes rich in taste. This is the Alsace white wine that comes with more panache dishes usually reserved for red wines.
The game, marinated or not, veal, pork, poultry, especially accompanied by sauces marked flavors, roasts, kidneys, risotto, mushrooms, cereals (polenta corn cakes or corn...) make him the wine autumn dishes. In Alsace it also accompanies the famous baeckeoffe.
Because of its material balance and freshness it sublime agreements sugary/salty. Fatty livers, fresh, fried or soft-boiled fond of his presence. All the qualities of Pinot Gris also make a delicious aperitif wine.
..................................................
Ampelography
Pinot Gris is distinguished from Pinot Noir only by the color of its berries.
Leaf
Medium, orbicular, dark green, thick and bubbled. Ogival teeth averages.
Cluster
Small, cylindrical, compact.
Berry
Small, spherical or slightly ovoid, vary from grayish pink to grayish blue. Thin film, scant pulp and melting.
..................................................
In te Vineyards
Pinot Gris is a fairly vigorous but not very productive grape. He appears well suited to fairly deep limestone soils, relatively dry and well exposed. It is very sensitive to cold winter. Because of its thin skin, it is feared the attacks of gray rot.