Dry white wine
What is a dry white wine?
In Alsace, from an analytical point of view, a dry" white wine is a wine that contains less than 4 grams of sugar per liter. However, the residual sugar level is not the only indicator to be taken into account in the perception of a "dry" wine.
It is also essential to consider the alcohol content, acidity and general structure of the wine to better understand its style.
It is important to understand that the perception of the level of sweetness of a wine is different for each person. For the same sugar content, a wine may seem very dry to you while it may appear as sweeter for your neighbor.
Which grape varieties give white and dry Alsace wines?
In Alsace, several white grape varieties give dry wines, while others give sweeter, mellower or sweet wines.
The emblematic dry white wine of Alsace: riesling
In Alsace, the most famous dry wine is the riesling. The wines produced from this grape variety are very beautiful, aromatic, racy, elegant and powerful dry wines. riesling reveals its subtleties through fruity, floral or mineral notes depending on the soil on which it is planted. You will find rieslings in several of our ranges: the range of the Hunters of the Moon with wines exalting the typicity of each grape variety, the range Rayon de Lune and its vintages fruit of a selection of our cellar master, the organic range, the Grands Crus resulting from the most beautiful Alsatian soils, and finally the range Exception.
Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner : the other dry white wines of Alsace
Other Alsatian grape varieties give birth to dry wines. We can mention the Pinot Blanc or the Sylvaner.
The Pinot Blanc is a fresh wineThe wine is rich without being exuberant, with aromas of peach, apricot, even citrus and a hint of white flowers. It reveals spicy notes on the palate and benefits from a relative acidity. It is a white wine both tender and powerful, with a nice balance.
The SylvanerThis light and well-balanced wine offers a distinguished and typical nose, with vegetal and floral notes such as acacia or white flowers, and even lemony notes, which announce a beautiful freshness in the mouth.
What can I serve dry white wines with?
What food and wine pairings should you suggest for these dry white wines? Here are our food and wine pairing suggestions!
What dish to serve riesling with?
The riesling is the Alsatian grape variety that produces dry, racy and fruity white wines. On your table, the finesse of riesling will perfectly match with dishes with iodized notes. Aromatic, this beautiful wine will naturally find its place alongside fish, shellfish (oysters...), crustaceans or seafood...
Not surprisingly, a riesling from Thes Chasseurs de Lune, for example, will go well with the traditional sauerkraut. It is also a perfect accompaniment to goat's cheese and snails.
When it comes from terroirs with good maturity, such as the Grands Crus (the great white wines of Alsace), let it also surprise you by serving it on a pan-fried foie gras... to replace the traditional Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer.
What food and wine pairing with Sylvaner?
The Sylvaner of the Moon Hunters is the perfect companion to a good old-fashioned sauerkraut. Moreover, it is customary to prepare sauerkraut with this dry and light wine, and then to serve the same wine at the table.
But Sylvaner has more than one trick up its sleeve: its freshness goes perfectly with seafood for a real gustatory pleasure. Friend of piesSylvaner enhances these dishes, especially when they include meat marinated in Sylvaner.
Other hors d'oeuvres can be associated with Sylvaner, such as those based on cold cuts, without forgetting the traditional tarte flambée.
What to serve Pinot Blanc with?
The Pinot Blanc des Chasseurs de Lune, to be served chilled between 8 and 10°C, is a wine that can be adapted to many different dishes. It will go very well with fish and other seafood, such as oysters, clams, sea urchins or periwinkles.
Charming and delicate, it is particularly at ease with any type of poultry and white meatsespecially in sauces, such as veal blanquette. Do not hesitate to associate it with your asparagus in season. More traditional and in keeping with its origins and its terroir: it is a choice accompaniment for the unavoidable tarte flambée and the delicious onion tart.
In Crémant d'Alsace, it is the ideal companion for special occasions. It will be served as an aperitif, with desserts or grilled fish. In the case of sparkling wines, we do not speak of "dry wine" but rather of "brut" or "extra-brut". Find more information on the Crémant d'Alsace in the article on the subject.
Have a good tasting!
