Nothing like a nice little white for Valentine’s Day.
Pinot Gris is a great local pride for Alsace, but I’m interested in another region where “Pinot Gris”, “Pinot Blanc” and the likes of “Riesling” or “Gewurztraminer” reign supreme: Schengen and the Luxembourg Moselle.
Schengen, Schengen? That must ring a bell, no?
A little history, but no Schengen:
The Caves Saint Martin are a winegrowing cooperative located in Remich, a small town on the banks of the Moselle, in eastern Luxembourg. Founded in 1919, the cooperative aims to promote winegrowing and the production of high-quality wine in the region.
The Caves Saint Martin also have a historic cellar dating from 1872. This cellar was built by the Benedictine monks of the Saint-Maurice abbey, in Switzerland, who stored their wine there for many years. You can visit it while listening to stories from the past, glass in hand.
On to the tasting:
Naturally, there’s no need to tell you that an hour or so in the fridge before serving will make it all the more pleasant.
The colour of this Pinot Gris is a crystalline white, of a hypnotic purity — you feel you’re admiring mountain water!
The nose is light and balanced, almost mineral; you start to think this Pinot Gris is more akin to a dry variety.
On the palate, citrus and a light acidity come first, then a slight prickle appears on the palate — you’d swear you detect tiny bubbles — but very quickly the fruit and the citrus emerge. Its length turns refreshing.
I particularly enjoyed this wine with cheese; the pairing lifted both partners.
At a price of around €10, the value for money is unbeatable — especially if you take the opportunity to tour the cellars.
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