Which Wine to Serve as an Aperitif?
Need some ideas for an aperitif? Your friends are arriving, it's time for an appetizer and drink... It's best to have a few simple bottles on hand! Our experts have selected some accessible and unmissable wines: pleasant wines to enjoy without breaking the bank. As for snacks? We'll give you some ideas on what to make with what's available in your fridge or cupboards!
Aperitif selection
TREAT YOURSELF AT A GREAT PRICE
Friends, family, before the restaurant, the aperitif should be a worldwide institution. It's the introduction to the meal, the opportunity to pre-prepare the taste buds while waiting to be seated. Here are a few tips to make sure that your aperitif is as enjoyable as possible! Whether it's a rosé, a chilled white wine or a sparkling wine, there's an infinite variety of food and wine pairings, but the trick is to find that little gem that goes well with your appetisers at a great price!
Sparkling wine: indulge yourself with small bubbles! Rosé champagnes, which are more vinous, go very well with longer dinner aperitifs. Or opt for the vivacity of a crémant: Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant d'Alsace...for a very good price relative to Champagne! Or for the delicacy of a famous Italian wine: prosecco. With a slice of orange, sparkling water and a few ice cubes, you can make the famous spritz cocktail - popular in summer
White wine: ideal with cheese! The freshness of a Sauvignon with a goat's cheese...a perfect pairing! In all cases, you can always enjoy the aromatic power of a Chardonnay or a Viognier which will be simply delightful with a Beaufort cheese! A Chignin would be just as suitable for a platter of cold meats as for fish. These are light and expressive wines to gently awaken your taste buds.
Rosé wine: this is a must for the aperitif. Particularly suitable for accompanying crisps, olives and tapenade. Opt either for full-bodied rosés like some of the Languedoc-Roussillon wines or prefer a less lively but fruity Anjou or Côtes de Provence.
Red wine: a little harder to pull off, choose a light, fruity wine to go with soft cheeses and spicy or fatty tapas such as antipasti. We have selected some acceptable wines without any fuss, which will go down well. Forget the full-bodied wines that could compromise the meal before it begins - the aim of the aperitif is to prepare the taste buds, not to overwhelm them.
Sweet white wine: why not? But on the condition that it is not too sweet, and remember to serve it well chilled! Muscat de Rivesaltes will delight with its elegance and will go well with all sorts of dishes: foie gras, blue cheeses, etc.
Tasting order: always be aware however that there is an order to respect when opening your bottles! This is important to allow the taste buds to appreciate the textures and flavours and above all the gustatory evolution before the start of the meal. Start with the sparkling wine, then respectively, white wines, rosé wines, red wines and finally sweet wines. Not that you have to have every step, but going out of order could reduce or nullify any enjoyment for some of the bottles you serve, which would be a real shame.
SIMPLE BUT SPLENDID APERITIF IDEAS
An aperitif can be prepared in no time at all. Here are a few tips for varied, easy-to-make and beautifully presented ideas that we don't always think of! There are some ideas for vegetarians too!
- Saucisson/salami and charcuterie platter: saucission is the emblematic product of aperitifs. As for the charcuterie platter, which is often already cut up, all you have to do is enjoy it.
- Mini toasts: chicken, pork, duck or fish pâté, fresh cheese, tapenade for the vegetarian version. Remember to add a basil leaf. All that on top of little toasted bread pieces is easy to eat and easy to enjoy!
- El pan con tomate: tapas that you will love! Toast your bread, pour a little olive oil and crush tomato in the middle with a little garlic.
- Skewers: cheese, dried tomatoes, raw vegetables, ham and small wooden picks. Simple!
Now it's up to you to compose and be creative!
- Rolled snacks: simply spread cream cheese on a slice of white ham, roll it up and cut it into slices. Vegetarian version: replace the ham with a slice of courgette. Alternatively, use a tortilla and add cucumbers.
- Aperitif bites in chicory leaves: fresh, crunchy and convenient, you can add whatever you like to them. They always look good and are lower in calories than bread.
- Raw vegetable sticks: carrots and cucumbers cut lengthwise are convenient to dip in a sauce such as humous, tapenade, guacamole or fresh cheese. Cherry tomatoes don't need any preparation!
- Cheese toothpicks: it's all about cutting up the cheese board to make it easier to nibble. Abondance, Beaufort, Gruyère, Tomme de Savoie, Gouda...don't disappoint soft cheese lovers either, Camembert for exemple is the stereotype of the French art of living.
We've talked enough...enjoy!
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