Belgium, as we all know, is home to some seriously scrumptious recipes. Belgian cheese, Belgian bread, Belgian whisky, Belgian beer, and Belgian biscuits, Belgian waffles... we could go on and on, but today, we're here to talk about a particularly splendid Belgian wine. And if anyone's feeling cynical about Belgian wine, their Cuve Seigneur Ruffus won the silver medal in last year's Concours Mondial (think world-wide wine contest), while their Chardonnay Meerdael won the Concours gold medal a couple of years previously.
But a new Belgian wine is starting to make waves - for now, on the other side of the Atlantic: it's a secret recipe handed down for four generations, and which former charcutier Pascal Miche has been putting into production 250 miles northeast of Montral for the past three years. It's an aperitif wine, with a very healthy 18% alcohol content.
At around 16 pounds per half bottle, Pascal has been selling his wine only in Canada for the time being. But he plans to change all that by exporting it southwards to the USA, and eastwards back to Europe. He's had a bit of a battle with the Canadian authorities, because they won't let you call wine, wine... unless its main ingredient is fruit. Pascal won that particular battle, but he may well face difficulties when it comes to the French authorities, who insist that wine should be made from fermented grape juice - and nothing else. Otherwise you just can't call it wine.
Technically speaking, Pascal's main ingredient might not be the grape French authorities are insisting on, but it's certainly a fruit - even though, legally speaking, it's a vegetable in the United States and the rest of the world, thanks to a landmark US Supreme Court ruling in 1893. That's even though the plant in question is technically defined as a fruit - because it has its seeds inside it.
Pascal creates two versions of his wine: one of them is dry, and the other one has been compared favourably to a Pineau des Charentes. Not bad, considering Pineau des Charentes is definitely grape-based, while Pascal's wine is made out of... tomatoes. So that's one more delight putting Belgium and its recipes on the world map - what can we expect next?
But a new Belgian wine is starting to make waves - for now, on the other side of the Atlantic: it's a secret recipe handed down for four generations, and which former charcutier Pascal Miche has been putting into production 250 miles northeast of Montral for the past three years. It's an aperitif wine, with a very healthy 18% alcohol content.
At around 16 pounds per half bottle, Pascal has been selling his wine only in Canada for the time being. But he plans to change all that by exporting it southwards to the USA, and eastwards back to Europe. He's had a bit of a battle with the Canadian authorities, because they won't let you call wine, wine... unless its main ingredient is fruit. Pascal won that particular battle, but he may well face difficulties when it comes to the French authorities, who insist that wine should be made from fermented grape juice - and nothing else. Otherwise you just can't call it wine.
Technically speaking, Pascal's main ingredient might not be the grape French authorities are insisting on, but it's certainly a fruit - even though, legally speaking, it's a vegetable in the United States and the rest of the world, thanks to a landmark US Supreme Court ruling in 1893. That's even though the plant in question is technically defined as a fruit - because it has its seeds inside it.
Pascal creates two versions of his wine: one of them is dry, and the other one has been compared favourably to a Pineau des Charentes. Not bad, considering Pineau des Charentes is definitely grape-based, while Pascal's wine is made out of... tomatoes. So that's one more delight putting Belgium and its recipes on the world map - what can we expect next?
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Great food does not always have to be complicated. Belgique's Continental Cafes exemplify that belief, serving gourmet Belgian wines in a warm and welcoming environment. Belgique online delivers this experience, plus Belgian beers and much more for you to enjoy in your own home.
