Kir
Credit: Christopher Hirsheimer
MAKES 1
Canon Félix Kir, a Résistance hero and, later, mayor of Dijon, gave his name to this simple wine cocktail, traditionally made with the rustic Burgundian white wine called aligoté. To make a kir royale, substitute champagne for the wine.
6 oz. chilled dry white wine (preferably aligoté,
bourgogne blanc, or pouilly-fuissé)
2 tbsp. crème de cassis
1. Pour wine into a wine glass and add crème de cassis, ensuring the mixture attains a dark rosé hue.
Bourgogne Aligoté is the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) name for white wine produced from the Aligoté grape variety in the region of Burgundy in France.
The crème de cassis in this drink helps balance the acidity of this rather rough varietal.
Interesting to note that the French are adopting varietal labeling more frequently, particularly for vin de pays.