WineLife365

Posts Tagged ‘Wine and Food Pairings’

I’ve been chomping at the bit, like a rabid old junkyard dog gnawing on a bone.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to holiday or special meals, not many combinations make me froth at the mouth with excitement quite like digging my teeth into a rack of lamb; cooked and seasoned to perfection, paired with a delicious, earthy, hearty red from France’s Côtes du Rhône wine region.

But I ask, “WHY does this classic pairing need to wait ‘til Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?  And why can’t this ‘formal union’ of tender and succulent heaven, topped with fresh rosemary, partnered with a gusty Côtes du Rhône red be enjoyed anytime?”   Rather than wait for Christmas Day, or worse yet, until New Year’s Eve, I thought that I’d take matters into my own hands and hit the streets to ask for a little help.  First, I hit the local butcher shop and told my butcher that I was going to snap if I had to wait another day to bite down on a little lamb.  He asked, “Do you want a leg or rack of lamb?”  I told him, “I’m pretty hungry and my wife is fully capable of doing her own damage on a sizeable piece of lamb, but between the two of us, I’m not really sure if we could take down a whole leg or rack.”  (At least, I don’t think so…)  So he suggested a few center-cut loin lamb chops.  “Perfect!” , I said.  Now all I needed was some primo Côtes du Rhône to go along with the chops.  I decided to call in the experts for some help.  I set off to visit several terrific nearby wine shops that have a huge selection of Côtes du Rhône wines, as well as having knowledgeable wine staff.  I asked each of the shop owners the very same question :  “Can you recommend a terrific, inexpensive, Côtes du Rhône red (i.e., no more than $20) that would be a marriage made in lamb heaven?  Whether it’s my  simple, center-cut lamb loin chops or a rack/leg of lamb fit for a king?”

 Here were the recommendations chosen by my team of local wine experts:

1. 2007 Chateau Du Trignon Vacqueyras ($20)
2. 2009 Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône ($15)
3. 2007 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône ($15)
4. 2010 Saint – Damien ‘La Bouveau’ Côtes du Rhône ($17)
5. 2007 Chateau Du Trignon Côtes du Rhône ($15)
6. 2009 Domaine Alary ‘La Gerbaude’ Côtes du Rhône  ($15)

Before revealing our top three picks, let me just say that the margin of uber pleasuredome between all of them was thinner than LeAnn Rimes in a string bikini…so kudos to my local wine merchant for delivering an amazing selection of wines.  If you see any of these wines on the shelves at your local hangouts, BUY ‘EM!!

Ok, so coming in 3rd place was the 2010 Saint – Damien ‘La Bouveau’ Côtes du Rhône ($17).  This Rhone blend is made of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache.  It’s still just a baby.  Big, sharp and a bit tart around the edges.  The red fruit was bursting like the Fourth of July!  Once the 2010 Saint – Damien ‘La Bouveau’ Côtes du Rhône has a chance to grow up in the next couple of years, it’s really going to party!

Our second place wine was the 2007 Chateau Du Trignon Côtes du Rhône.  I believe the first word that came out of my mouth was “WOW!”  Fully mature and totally awesome!  The 2007 Chateau Du Trignon Côtes du Rhône is a delicious blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre; beaming with dark fruit and peppery spices, it packs a super long finish.

Our first place winner happened to be the most expensive wine in the group.  At $20, the 2007 Chateau Du Trignon Vacqueyras was a beast of refinement and elegance.  What can I say other than, it truly tasted like it was the most expensive wine of the group, with its massive concentration of dark fruit, spice and acidity.  Drinking great today, this wine has a bright future ahead as well.

To wrap this up (no pun intended), here’s a tip that one shop owner shared with me.  He told me to decant all of the wines before trying them.  He suggested pouring each wine into a decanter and then funneling the wine back into their bottle.  I didn’t do that because there were six bottles and only my wife and I, but I did break out my Vinturi Aerator!  Maybe that’s what made all of these wines taste so good!  Thanks, Scott, for the tip!!

Moist, cute little cakes, topped with a big dollop of creamy, rich icing that just melts in your mouth – they’re dangerously delicious, always fun and perfect for any occasion!

The 2010 Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Sample, MSRP: $12 US) is a lot like that!  Showcasing the refreshing, zippy-delicious goodness that Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough Valley is known for, the flavors in the 2010 Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc are like licking the key lime pie frosting off of the top of a tiny moist lemon cake.  Speaking of cupcakes, I wish I had some of this Sauvignon Blanc left over so I could try it with this Brown Sugar Banana cupcake with Avocado Buttercream frosting!  I bet it would be an interesting contrast in flavors.

If the cupcake idea is a bit much for you, try giving this on-the-fly, super-simple recipe idea a go:

Sauté chicken breasts in olive oil and fresh lemon juice, season with dry barbecue rub, salt and pepper to taste.  Toss in a heap of fresh baby spinach and diced up Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon into your pot.  Keep it all juicy and tasty with a big splash of chicken stock and a ½ cup of the Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc.

3 Stars out of 4 for the 2010 Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc.  This is one cupcake you can enjoy without guilt! 

With Thanksgiving only days away, you might be wondering what wine to serve with your traditional turkey and side dishes.  Here’s a hint – Something American!

Thanksgiving is an American holiday that, in my opinion, deserves an American-made wine.  There are many types of wines to choose from, whether white or red, or sweet or dry, but my personal favorite with this holiday meal is a good old-fashion American Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s big and bold flavors are brawny enough to stand up to just about any traditional side dish that you throw at it as well as any herbs and spices that you decide to use on your Thanksgiving turkey.

Here are a few very reliable American Cabernet Sauvignon names that you may want to consider shopping for:

·         Beringer Vineyards – Whether it’s their inexpensive Cab or higher priced Reserve Cabs, Beringer Vineyards Cabs are pretty darn reliable and tasty year in and year out.

·         Columbia Crest Winery – Like Beringer Vineyards, Columbia Crest fires on all cylinders at any price point in their line-up of Cabernet Sauvignon offerings.

·         Rodney Strong Vineyards – Good, solid, and reliable – for under $15 bucks, this Cab really tunes in the dial with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

·         Chalk Hill – For some reason, these guys are under the radar of a lot of California Cab lovers.  Take the discount and this hidden Sonoma County gem to the bank and buy yourself and your guests 2 bottles for the price of 1 big Napa Valley Cab with the same headiness.

·         St. Supery – If you’ve got $30 or more in your wallet, this California Cab will certainly blow you and your guests away.

·        If the sky’s the limit in your budget, you may want to try one of these ginormous tasting American Cabernet Sauvignons:  Fife Vineyards Reserve or Cornerstone Cellars.

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Many guides differ slightly when giving the pronunciation of this native Rhone Valley white grape.  Some say vee-own-yay, while others say vee-on-yay.  Vee-on-yay with a short o is actually the correct way to pronounce it.  But hey, it’s all good no matter how you say it.

This awesome white grape that was originally born in the Rhone Valley of France is now being planted all over the globe.  In it’s native France, the majority of Viogniers are sold as  “Vin de Pays“, or “country wine” in the Languedoc wine region of France.  In the Rhone wine region, the Viognier grape is often blended with other native French white wine grapes like Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache blanc, and Rolle.  Finally, in Northern Rhone, Viognier is sometimes blended with the Chardonnay grape.

Most Viogniers exhibit a rich, flower shop aroma that is similar to the Torrontes white grape from Argentina.  Most also have an apricot and citrusy flavor.  They’re usually made in a dry style with a hint of sweetness, and leave the oak in the woods where it belongs.

Viognier is a great summer sipping wine.  It partners very nicely with a variety of different foods and I really think it goes great with spicy ethnic dishes, too.  In addition, this white wine is also pretty darn good with soft French cheeses, such as Brie.

One piece of advice to remember when considering purchasing a bottle of Viognier – buy the youngest ones that you can find.  Most Viogniers don’t typically age very well.