'Meat fruit' with Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Larmes Célestes 2004

I know I’ve already raved about this stunning combination at Heston’s new restaurant Dinner but it's already a candidate for one of my top 10 pairings of 2011, never mind my match of the week.

The dish - a smooth foie gras-like chicken parfait inside a mandarin-shaped orange jelly - also bids to be a modern classic but it was the combination with the Pacherenc, a lesser known dessert wine from south-west France with a deep, apricotty flavour that was so pitch-perfect.

I visited Alain Brumont a couple of years ago when I was in the region and loved his wines.

The ‘Larmes Célestes’ is actually remarkably well-priced at £9.99 for 50cl at Stainton Wines. And Noel Young of Cambridge has it for £10.25. Obviously it would also go with foie gras and I reckon with blue cheese or a simple apple tart.

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