Taste
Once served in the glass, the Pinot Gris Hahnenberg reveals its sustained yellow colour.
The nose is not very intense during its youth (for 2 years after bottling), but thereafter, it portrays a complex aromatic with smoky, slightly woody undergrowth smell and a hint of elderflower.
On the palate, the attack is straight and full of vitality, revealing a hint of sugar balanced by a nice freshness.
Can be kept: 7 - 8 years
Serving temperature: 10 - 12°C
75 cl
Gastronomy
This Pinot Gris Hahnenberg has the strength to accompany dishes generally served with a red wine, such as roast meats (poultry, veal or pork) and game. It goes well with freshly sautéed mushrooms served as a risotto. To finish your meal, it can also accompany a Tomme du Ried (cheese) or a Comte refined for 12 months.
History
To explain the survival of the culture of Pinot Gris in Alsace vineyards since the sixteenth century, the legend says that the plants were brought from the town of Tokaj (Hungary) by Baron Lazare Schwendi around 1565. The Baron, who served at the time the House of Austria in its struggle against the Turks, was a large owner of vineyards in Alsace and Bade. Landowner in Kientzheim (where his castle still exists, owned today by the Confrérie of St Etienne), he ordered them to multiply the Tokay vines. But it is likely that the Pinot Gris, known for its qualities and abilities to produce highly concentrated wines, was substituted for the original variety brought from Hungary. In fact, Pinot Gris hails from Burgundy, where it is known as the "Beurot.
The name Tokay Pinot Gris was authorized by an EEC Regulation 10 August 1984 to designate Pinot Gris instead of the old and traditional name Tokay d'Alsace.
On November 23, 1993, an agreement between the EU and the Republic of Hungary (Decision of the EEC Council of 23 November 1993 published in OJ EEC of 31 December 1993) states that all geographic names used on wine subject to mutual protection between the two signatories, from 1 January 1994. Accordingly, the term "Tokay Pinot Gris" cannot be used to describe wines of AOC Alsace from Pinot Gris, only the term "Pinot Gris" is allowed since 1 April 2007.
