In this period of global confinement, whatever it is forced or recommended, it is good to focus on everything that is around us wherever we are, whether it is our Country or the one that is hosting us or which – as in my case – has adopted me.
The symbolic dish of Switzerland is fondue and for those who are a minimum expert of the topic, it is known that the concept cannot be trivialized. Yes, because there are fondues and fondues: the moitié-moitié (half Gruyere half Vacherin) or the purist one like the fribourgeoise (100% Vacherin), or with all the possible ingredients (with beer, with garlic and onion, with mountain spices, with tomatoes…) as proposed by the menu of Cafe du Midi in Martigny, situated in the Valais Canton.
We have prepared the fondue of the Fondue World Champion 2017-2018 Benedikt Wüthrich (Fromagerie d’Auboranges) at home: an excellent moitié-moitié that deserves excellent pairing.
And here comes the gem: the classic spouse of the fondue is Chasselas, a white grape variety typical of Switzerland, but you can find Chasselas of all types and not always at the highest quality. The Chasselas that I open is a variety of the same, Chasselas Doré, vinified in Jean-Pierre Pellegrin’s Domaine Grand’Cour in Peissy, a splendid village in the Geneva countryside. This discovery dates back to last November when I had the opportunity to visit the Domaine during the Saint-Martin day, in which all Peissy’s Caves are open to the public. Jean-Pierre Pellegrin takes care of his wines, from grape harvest to its winemaking; his cellar is a small jewel, and the results of such dedication are not surprising.
This Chasselas Doré, straw yellow in color, is very fragrant, while remaining delicately dry and extremely harmonious in its bouquet of white flowers and citrus fruits: it is endowed with elegant freshness and long persistence. And it marries brilliantly with the steaming fondue.
Excellence with excellence, at home as in a mountain chalet: let’s stay at home and savor this moment together with the family to keep alive the memories and the hope that this invisible evil will soon end.