How to Pair Asparagus with Wine
Certain chemicals in asparagus can make your wine taste vegetal, grassy, or just plain rotten. No other ingredient, not even cheese or chocolate, is the target of such fear, disdain, and discussion. Asparagus has been likened to Kryptonite; it is the enemy, it ruins perfectly nice vino. But it's too delicious to ignore entirely. With the arrival of Spring, there's a growing chance you will have to deal with this dining dilemma. But how?
I tasted several asparagus dishes earlier this week (white and green, prepared in a variety of ways with all kinds of sauces) and then compiled a quick and easy list of tips, based on what I tried, to help you optimize the food or the wine, depending on where you like to start.
Recipe Tips to Make Asparagus Pair Better with Wine:
1) Grill the asparagus so there's a char (perhaps steam or microwave it first)
2) Cover it in sauce (cheese, hollandaise, etc.)
3) Serve with a creamy dressing
4) Look for thin spears, which may have less of that darned chemical
Wines that Pair Best with Asparagus:
1) Crisp, and refreshing wines like Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris/Grigio
2) Aromatic wines such as Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer
3) Sparkling wines like Champagne , Cava, Prosecco
4) Avoid tannic and oaky wines
Alsatian Wines That Worked with Asparagus:
Dirler-Cadé, Crémant d'Alsace 2005, Robert Chadderdon Selections, $23
Dry not sweet (zero dosage), some hints of brioche, could be mistaken for real-deal Champagne
Domaine Weinbach, Riesling Schlossberg 2005, Vineyard Brands, $49
Strikingly floral nose with hints of grapefruit. Rich, dry, and seductive.
Marc Kreydenweiss, Pinot Gris Lerchenberg 2006, Wilson Daniels, $37
100% biodynamic, nutty (almond, hazelnut)
Boxler, Pinot Gris Brand 2005, Robert Chadderdon Selections, $60
Surprisingly semi-sweet with great acidity.
Trimbach, Gewurztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre 2000, Diageo Château & Estate Wines, $40
Not as sweet as the bouquet suggests. Very balanced.
And if you're really wine-pairing inspired, check out Natalie MacLean's take on how to pick the right wine for tomato dishes.
For more, check out our guide to cooking with asparagus and top-ratedasparagus recipes.
by James Oliver Cury
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