What to drink with pancakes
A 5,000-year-old recipe
Pancakes, or more precisely galettes, are a very old invention. They are thought to have originated over 5,000 years ago! They are found in many countries, and all that's needed to make them is flour and water. In Mexico, tortillas are made from corn, in Asia from rice, and in Africa from sorghum.
From pancake to crepe
It wasn't until the 13th century that the galette made its appearance in Brittany, thanks to the introduction of buckwheat cultivation, brought back from Asia by the Crusaders. For centuries, buckwheat remained the staple food in Brittany. Its development was favored by the fact that buckwheat, unlike wheat, was not subject to taxation. Although the galette was originally plain, it was enriched with salted butter, sausages and eggs to make a real dish. It was common practice to hire crêpières to prepare stacks of galettes for celebrations (parties, weddings, christenings, etc.). For dessert, they would break some eggs, add cinnamon or orange blossom to the leftover dough, and the galette would be transformed into a crêpe.
Tradition: cider or perry?
What to serve with your sweet and savoury crêpes? Whether sweet or savory, cider is the perfect accompaniment. Depending on your sweet tooth, you can choose from brut, demi-sec or doux ciders. For those who would like to try a new drink, without departing too much from tradition, we recommend poiré. The production technique is the same as for cider, but pears are used.
A festive touch: bubbles
If you're planning to add a festive touch to your crêpe party, you can turn to effervescents, whether French or not, without any apprehension. For example, a lovely, sweet Moscati d'Asti with fine bubbles and low alcohol content will be a happy companion for your crepes, preferably sweet ones. On the French side, go for crémants or sparkling wines, but avoid champagne, which is a poor match for this dish.
And red wine?
Far from being outlawed, red can be a good choice for savoury crepes, provided you opt for light, supple, fruity, fresh red wines. Choose wines from the Gamay or Pinot Noir grape varieties. For the former, you'll be spoilt for choice in Beaujolais, or, for the more curious, in Auvergne. For the latter, Alsace, the Loire and Burgundy offer a wide range of possibilities.
Unexpected combinations
A Vouvray, from the Loire Valley, is a perfect match thanks to its fine, light bubbles. Delicately sweet and fruity, you can pair it with your crêpes without a doubt! A port or Maury will also go very well with chocolate crepes to bring a certain balance.
How do you go with your crêpes?