Sweet & Savory
by Cynthia Sin-Yi Cheng
November 25, 2009
Cynthia Sin-Yi Cheng
Restaurant Jean-Louis
61 Lewis St
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-622-8450
Garnet Wines & Liquors
(wine listed as St. Jean de Minervois)
929 Lexington Ave
(68th & 69th Sts)
New York, NY 10065
212-772-3211
It is well known that I don’t have a sweet tooth. I was born with a savory one instead. So, my natural inclination when pairing dessert wine is to go for a savory choice.
At the end of a lunch at Jean-Louis recently, I spotted a good sweet and savory match: Les Petits Grains dessert wine with Roquefort ice cream. This sweet wine from the Southern France appellation of St. Jean de Minervois is made entirely from Muscat à Petits Grains grapes. The blue cheese lent just the right amount of pungent character to the ice cream, and its creamy texture balanced well with the sweet, refreshing Petits Grains; which has a light body, lots of orange blossom notes and good acidity. This special ice cream is not on the regular menu, but available if you call a day in advance.
The sky’s the limit for home pairing and entertaining with Les Petits Grains ($11) and a good cheese selection of your own. I especially recommend cow’s milk cheeses that are not too creamy in texture.
Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home
Nov 30, 04:17 AM
I don’t know if i’ll ever find myself in CT, but this sounds amazing! Okay Cynthia – find me something similar in NYC! Pretty please :)
ps: so both you and Celia have a savory tooth instead of a sweet tooth?!
Nov 30, 10:07 AM
it’s just a train ride away, erika!
yes, we both were born with a savory tooth.
Comments (2)