December 2011

GREETINGS FROM ALSACE WINES

Welcome to the Alsace Wines newsletter, designed to update fans of this great white wine region in northeastern France on all things Alsace in America: upcoming events and tasting opportunities, seasonal food and wine pairings, and where you can grab a glass of crisp, aromatic Alsace wine either in your neighborhood or around the country.

For any inquiries on Alsace Wines, email the team at alsacewines@deussenglobal.com.

The 2011 harvest in Alsace got off to an early start, when picking officially began August 25th for AOC Crémant d'Alsace, and September 7th (or September 12th) for the region's other varietals and appellations. The grapes were in healthy condition, and the harvest is estimated at 1,150,000 hl – larger than last year, but on par with the harvests over the last five years. Conditions at harvest time were ideal, and the quality across the board is very promising, especially for Riesling . . . so, wine lovers can look forward to a bounty of delicious, well-balanced wines.

Alsace was the talk of the town at New York's Novotel Hotel in October, when the Southern Alsace Tourism Board and Wines of Alsace toasted the 125th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, France's beloved gift to America. Perhaps less well known is the fact that the Statue's creator, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, was born in Colmar, the heart of Alsace's wine region. Press guests were treated to an informative presentation about Alsace, followed by a lively reception with Crémant d'Alsace, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer wines from Alsace.

This fall aspiring home cooks had the chance to hone their culinary skills with a new 13-part series by American Public Television, featuring a roster of international master chefs and hosted by Ashley James, Executive Chef of the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills, CA. The Alsace episode invited viewers to the region's picturesque towns and vineyards, and welcomed them to the kitchen of three-star Michelin chef, Marc Haeberlin of the renowned Auberge de l'Ill. While Americans might be intimidated by three-star recipes, they can certainly find a range of Alsace wines that are easy to pair with nearly any cuisine – haute or not! Alsace Wines were also a co-sponsor of the series, which aired on more than 80 stations, and began and concluded with a 15-second spot highlighting the dry, aromatic white wines of Alsace. Cuisine Culture will be honored at the Third Annual TASTE AWARDS, the premier broadcast awards show that recognizes the year's best achievements in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs. Stay tuned as Alsace goes to Hollywood in January!

Alsace has partnered with the national chain, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, to offer diners a deal that's too good to resist – the chance to win a complimentary three-course meal for two, featuring the Wines of Alsace. The sweepstakes are being offered to newsletter subscribers of two leading wine and food sites: Tasting Table and Snooth.com. In other media, the Alsace Wines campaign, Just Add Food, hit the stands with a colorful new print ad in two issues of Wine Spectator – just in time for holiday entertaining!
The McCormick & Schmick's restaurants pride themselves on changing their menus daily. Here's one of their most popular salmon dishes, adapted as a quick and easy home recipe – perfect for a Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer from Alsace:

McCormick & Schmick's Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa
Serves: 2 - 3
Preparation time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 – 3 filets fresh Alaska salmon (6 oz. each)


• Mango Salsa (Yields 3 cups):
  • .5 cup mango diced ¼"
  • .5 cup papaya diced ¼"
  • 1 cup pineapple diced ¼"
  • .25 cup red onion diced finely
  • .25 cup red bell pepper diced finely
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1.5 Tablespoon cilantro diced finely
  • 1 pinch cumin
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper

Method

1. Gently toss all Mango Salsa ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Season the salmon with a little oil, salt and pepper and grill over medium heat to desired doneness.
3. Add Mango Salsa as a garnish or side to the salmon.

CAMPAIGN FINANCED WITH AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION – © 2011 Alsace Wines. All Rights Reserved.