This article was originally written in German so the translation might contain artifacts.

Wine with asparagus – what goes well?

Where I come from, asparagus is green. White asparagus is only available in the form of baby asparagus tips in a jar. They are only available in delicatessens. White asparagus is considered a sophisticated side dish in fine dining. I was pleasantly surprised when I was invited to eat asparagus for the first time in Germany. It was more like gorging on asparagus. The Germans eat asparagus like no one else. This aligns well with our dietary convitions. Eat what's there when it's there. Conversely: Don't eat anything that isn't in season. Asparagus from Peru in November? Not for me. Whether Waldbecker, Beelitzer or Nossener - everyone loves asparagus.

Asparagus really takes off when served with the right wine. Hence the question: Which wine to serve with asparagus ?

Which wine goes well with asparagus?

Asparagus is rarely eaten pure. It is usually served with sauces and accompanied with fish, meat or ham. The trick is to choose a wine that goes not just with the vegetables, but with the entire dish.

To choose the right asparagus wine, you should consider a few basic criteria :

• White wine goes better with asparagus dishes than red wine - especially if it is dry
• The wine should be full-bodied, not too light, but not too alcoholic either
• A wine that has matured for two or three years is preferable to a young wine
• The acidity should not be overbearing.

Which white wine goes well with asparagus?

As a rule, light wines with fine acidity and rather subtle aromas are suitable as a companion to the slightly bitter taste asparagus. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Kerner therefore taste particularly good. But you can also go outside the mainstream and combine your asparagus with some southern French or Italian wines. The Tuscan Vermentino harmonizes particularly well with white asparagus. Pinot Blanc and Rivaner, on the other hand, harmonize better with the more intensely flavored purple asparagus. Are you adventurous? Then try the Gelber Muskateller from Heußler. Since green asparagus has a much more intense taste, it can be combined with Riesling, Pinot Gris or Chardonnay. The combination of salty ham and mild asparagus tastes particularly good with a young Riesling or a Pinot Noir Rosé.

Which white wine goes well with fish and asparagus?

Pinot Blanc and Grüner Veltliner are tried and tested asparagus companions. You can serve them with fish and asparagus, as they do not overpower the delicate, slightly spicy taste of the dish.

Which white wine goes well with asparagus and Sauce Hollandaise?

In Germany, asparagus is served with potatoes and Sauce Hollandaise or melted butter. The delicate flavors are engagingly brought together by the buttery sauce. If you can't make Sauce Hollandaise, you should learn how to on the spot. The ideal partner for this dish is Chardonnay. We generally advise against buttery dishes with Chardonnay but this is the exception.

At this writing it seems that everybody is drinking Sauvignon Blanc. You should try it before serving and have a backup because not every Sauvignon works with asparagus. The most dependable partner is Sancerre. The Collio white wines give asparagus a real kick. “ Tourbillon de la Vie ” from JP Padié, a dry white wine from Macabeu from Roussillon, is our tip par excellence.