⏱ 2 min read
The Short Version
Forget the red wine bias; structured whites like the 2023 Morgeot Les Fairendes possess the weight to anchor heavy proteins like roasted chicken and glazed pork. It’s time to stop treating white Burgundy as a mere seafood cleanser and start using it to bridge the gap between fruit and savory.
The notion that red wine is always the answer remains a stubborn bias for many enthusiasts. While pairing whites with fish or Champagne with caviar are established protocols, there is significant untapped potential in using structured white wines to anchor more complex, savory meals. The Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Morgeot Les Fairendes 2023 serves as a case study in breaking these traditional boundaries.
There is more that white wine can do and it’s time I grow into it.
Expanding the white wine repertoire
This particular bottle demonstrates how a youthful white can handle substantial protein when paired thoughtfully. On the first day of consumption, the wine accompanied a roasted chicken quarter prepared with mustard, shallots, and applesauce, alongside acorn squash in sage butter. By the second day, the profile shifted toward a different kind of richness when paired with sous vide pork tenderloin featuring an herb de Provence crust and a honey apricot glaze. There is more that white wine can do and it’s time I grow into it. Even when faced with the competing textures of a kale apple salad and mustard vinaigrette, the wine maintained its integrity.
The palate of this 2023 vintage is defined by its youth, offering clear notes of apple and a touch of grapefruit. It concludes with a sweet creamy finish that provides enough weight to stand up to the heavier fats found in poultry and pork. This level of structural presence suggests that high-quality whites from Burgundy can act as much more than mere acidic cleansers for seafood.
Rethinking aeration and pairing tropes
Exploring the utility of tools like the Coravin also raises questions about how we approach wine service. Using a Coravin allowed this bottle to be enjoyed over two days without the risk of premature oxidation, though it prompts a debate on whether such precision is always necessary. There is also room to challenge common industry wisdom; for instance, the widely celebrated pairing of Champagne and fried chicken may actually be overrated compared to more nuanced combinations.
For some drinkers, even a standard 90-minute decant can introduce unwanted vinegar notes, suggesting that our collective understanding of aeration might not be universal. Whether one leans into these unconventional pairings or sticks to tradition, the goal remains finding wines that possess enough intentionality to bridge the gap between fruit and savory elements.
Do you find yourself reaching for red wine by default, or are you actively seeking new white wine pairings?
Questions & Answers
What are the tasting notes for the Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Morgeot Les Fairendes 2023?
The 2023 vintage of Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Morgeot Les Fairendes features distinct notes of apple and a subtle touch of grapefruit. Because the wine is still quite youthful, it possesses a specific structural presence that concludes with a sweet, creamy finish. This weight allows the white Burgundy to stand up effectively to heavier fats, making it a versatile option for more substantial protein-based dishes rather than just light seafood.
How can structured white wines be paired with poultry and pork?
Structured white wines like the Morgeot Les Fairendes can be paired with substantial proteins such as roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. For example, the wine complements a roasted chicken quarter prepared with mustard, shallots, and applesauce. It also holds its own against a sous vide pork tenderloin featuring an herb de Provence crust and a honey apricot glaze. The wine's creamy finish and body provide the necessary balance to handle these savory, rich flavor profiles.
Why might a Coravin be useful when enjoying a bottle of white Burgundy?
A Coravin is useful because it allows a bottle of wine to be enjoyed over multiple days without the risk of premature oxidation. Using this tool enables a drinker to sample the wine's evolution, such as experiencing how its profile shifts when paired with different foods on consecutive days. This level of precision helps maintain the wine's integrity and prevents the spoilage that typically occurs when a bottle is opened and left to sit.
What are the potential risks of decanting white wine for an extended period?
Decanting white wine for a long duration, such as a standard 90-minute period, can sometimes introduce unwanted vinegar notes. While aeration is often used to improve wine, the results are not universal and can negatively impact the flavor profile of certain bottles. This suggests that the collective understanding of aeration techniques varies and that excessive exposure to air may lead to undesirable chemical changes in the wine rather than enhancing its complexity.
Originally reported by Reddit Wine.
