Queen of January, the galette des rois (known also as King cake or Twelfth cake) knows how to adapt to your desires. Whether it's the frangipane pancake or the candied fruit brioche, many of you will enjoy it this 6 of January. Don't forget to enjoy it with a beautiful wine to pair with it…
The tradition of the galette des rois
Epiphany is a Christian holiday that closes the Christmas cycle, but before that it was a pagan feast. Indeed, the Saturnalia was an event celebrated by the Romans where the established social order was reversed.
Today, we reproduce in our own way this feast by pulling the kings. A bean is hidden in the cake. Once the cake is cut, the youngest sits under the table and distributes the portions to each guest. The person who ends up with the part containing the bean then becomes the king – or the queen -. He will have to wear the famous crown and bring the cake the following year.
At a time when the kingdom of France was divided in two, with the language of Oil in the north and Oc in the south, two pancakes became symbols of this event. For the first, it is the Parisian galette which is tasted and which has become the current frangipane galette. For the latter, it is the famous crown brioche traditionally scented with orange blossom and garnished with candied fruit.
Which wine to drink with the galette des rois ?
The patty of kings demands finesse and lightness to be savoured during dessert or just for a snack. You can easily choose a sparkling or sweet wine to pair with this cake !
Which appellations to choose ?
Sweet wines are preferred for a successful food and wine pairing with the galette des rois. Indeed, this is a great opportunity to taste a Sauternes, a Monbazillac or a Coteaux-du-Layon.
The brioche king cake can easily pair with a less sweet wine. However, you should make sure to choose a wine with a pronounced aromatic to pair the finesse of the brioche and the aromas of candied fruit. For example, it may be a wine from Alsace vineyard with a late harvest Riesling or Muscat.
Obviously, Muscat can also find its place alongside an orange blossom brioche with natural sweet wines from South of France : muscat-de-Rivesaltes, muscat-de-Frontignan, Beaumes-de-Venise…
Which sparkling wine to choose with the galette des rois ?
The Epiphany is a great opportunity to uncork a sparkling wine. However, you have to make sure you choose a wine that is sufficiently aromatic, even soft.
Obviously, the muscat grape variety can be adorned with bubbles. The wine most served with the galette des rois is obviously the famous Clairette-de-Die produced in the Drôme county. In a very close register, you can also discover the’Asti Spumante made in Italy.
You get the point, it is not necessary to choose an overpriced champagne ! Yet, if you absolutely want to taste one, remember to take it semi-dry so that it is not too acidic.
Finally, you can also choose a sparkling wine from the Loire valley as a Montlouis-sur-Loire or a Vouvray.
The best food and wine pairings with the galette des rois ?
| Regions | Appellations |
|---|---|
| Champagne |
|
| Rhone Valley |
|
| The Loire Valley |
|
| Languedoc-Roussillon |
|
| Bugey |
|
| South West |
|
| Foreign wines |
|
| Other |
|
Read also :
- What wine to drink with pancakes - and galettes - ?
- What wine to drink with chocolate ?
- What wine to drink with a Raclette ?
Do not hesitate to let me know your impressions of your experience in the comments. You can also follow your wine blog with Instagram.
There is also the Francomtoise pancake covered with’ a vanilla and flower cream’ orange tree.
friendly !
Thank you Pirate 😉