FRENCH ONION SOUP
The natural slight sweetness of the onions and the richness of the dish as a whole will mean that red wine, no matrer how young and fruity will clash – to the detriment of the soup rather than ti complement it.
So we are looking for a dry white wine, with a touch of fruit-inspired sweetness, though not a sweet or even an off-dry white. The answer is the beautifully packaged Finca Casa Alarcón Viognier.
The grape variety Viognier, whose spiritual home is in the Rhône valley, is adapting very well to Spanish soils and sunshine. Casa Alarcón’s version does not have the overt apricot notes that its French cousins possess, but it’s the better for that.
Understated white peach plus some herby notes make this a great match!
SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP
Again, a fairly sweet style of soup, but with the addition of some chilli. It’s a rich and full-flavoured soup and I think we need something to refresh the palate between mouthfulls – cava is the answer!
The sparkling spritz of El Miracle Cava from Bodegas Vicente Gandía Plá is made with Macabeo and Chardonnay. The green apple of Macabeo is tempered by the cava making process finishing with some bready notes, but retaining it’s freshness. The Chardonnay will provide the body necessary to accompany such a soup.
Salud!