Asparagus Looks for the Right Partner...

Almost everybody likes this delicious vitamin delight, and can barely wait for that first asparagus harvest in Spring. The varied and rich flavours that characterize the asparagus make it a very complex and captivating vegetable. Its tip has a nutty-sweet taste, and the body carries a light bitter tone. And it is this bitter edge that opens up endless possibilities for wine matching. It certainly will be a fine advantage for you to get to know all about asparagus and what its ideal companions can be. In other words, go ahead and immerse yourself in the perfect partnership of asparagus & wine!

The pairing of asparagus with wine can be so splendid and charming, but of course, it all depends on the way that the asparagus is prepared. Whether as asparagus cream soup, asparagus vinaigrette, asparagus with ham, the classic dish with Sauce Hollandaise or as roasted asparagus - each variation will be perfected with just the right wine. To look more closely at the partnership between wine and asparagus, Gault Millau and the AWMB met for two special tastings and published the results in an Asparagus & Wine brochure. Along with classic asparagus recipes, combinations featuring asparagus dishes from the creative kitchen as well are introduced.

The result is a collection of perfectly suited grape varieties and wine styles – lead by the most universal food companion in the world: Grüner Veltliner. Harmonious, full-bodied and rich in finesse, Grüner Veltliner is a must for every asparagus lover. Also established as congenial partners to many asparagus dishes are the white Burgundy varieties Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay (Morillon) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris).

Those who think of asparagus &wine think automatically of white wine. But there are some surprising and well-suited red exceptions, such as the light and mild Burgunder and Portugieser wines. Moreover, asparagus has been growing nicely with the renaissance of the “original Austrian” white varieties Neuburger, Roter Veltliner, Rotgipfler and Zierfandler, and provides the ideal stage for the traditional, robust Gemischter Satz wine from Vienna.

The Asparagus & Wine brochure makes it all so clear: enjoying asparagus together with the right wine means double the pleasure!

Asparagus & Wine, the brochure from the AWMB and Gault Millau, provides detailed information about wine recommendations, even showing surprising variations of classic as well as contemporary asparagus recipes. And thanks to the wonderful photos, it also whets the appetite – inspiring you to taste for yourself a wine that's perfectly suited to the beloved Spring messenger.