What wine to open with a bouchée à la reine?

Today we're going to present you with an article about food and wine pairing .

Une bouchée à la reine is a traditional French dish dating back to the 19th century. It's a puff pastry in the shape of a timbale that's filled with a preparation generally composed of poultry, sweetbreads and mushrooms. You're free to fill it with the ingredients of your choice, but remember to use only the finest ingredients.

A matter of taste: Which wine to choose? 

The choice of wine will depend on the composition of your bouchée à la reine, whether served as a starter or main course. If you choose to make a "homemade" recipe, you may want to incorporate ingredients that differ from the traditional recipe. Although the best accompaniment is a dry white wine, you can also serve a red wine, as long as it's light and has melted tannins.

 

With a light stuffing 

If you choose to keep to the classic, it's best to choose fruity, aromatic wines without too much exuberance.

 

• Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2019 - Domaine Combier

This wine is a beautiful blend of Marsanne at 80% complemented by 20% of Roussanne. It's an interesting alliance, as the power of the latter is calmed and framed by the minerality of the Marsanne, harmonizing to offer a fruity, round wine with a straightforward finish. A great classic for this domaine, a pioneer in organic farming.

> Domaine Combier wines

 

• Volnay 1er Cru 2012 Le Clos des Chênes - Dominique Laurent

Volnay are Burgundy wines located in the Côtes de Beaune. They produce Pinot Noirs that are quite silky and fine when compared to more northerly wines such as Gevrey Chambertin and Vosnes Romanée. Be that as it may, this bottle offers a lovely juice to pair with a bouchée à la reine. On the one hand, the wine is very complex, offering notes of wild berries mixed with mineral notes due to its provenance. And secondly, its vintage, already a little old, has softened its tannins. Perfect for our dish.

> Dominique Laurent from the estate

 

With a more powerful stuffing

If, however, more powerful ingredients are added to your recipe, you'll need to choose a more complex wine - not necessarily more powerful, but richer nonetheless.

 

• Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 2014 Les Champs Gain - Bouchard Père et Fils

Bouchard Père et Fils is one of Burgundy's most reliable négociants. It owns several hectares of vineyards and carefully selects its partners. It's no coincidence that we're offering you a white wine of some age. Having benefited from one of Burgundy's finest terroirs, it acquires over the years in the cellar a slow evolution towards the tertiary aromas that characterize the appellation. On opening, you'll find floral notes, accompanied by a buttery nose and hints of white truffles. A complex nose, which you'll find again on the palate.

> Bouchard Père et Fils in stock 

 

• Château de la Grille 2005 Chinon

Once again, it's time to select a red wine with evolved aromas, to find similarities with a characterful preparation. Château de la Grille offers this possibility. Firstly, because the 2005 vintage is designed for ageing, and secondly, because the Cabernet used to make this Chinon comes from old vines, giving the grapes all the density they need to reach perfect ripeness. On the nose, the red fruit is still slightly present, but soon gives way to notes of undergrowth and humus. On the palate, the mid-palate is still rich but offers supple tannins. This wine would be perfect with a full-bodied, spicy dish.

> Château de la Grille in stock

 

We hope you've enjoyed this article. We're sure your tastings will go wonderfully well with your bouchées à la reine.