The Winetasting.com Blog
Great St. Patrick Day Wine and Food pairings
You don't need luck when you already know what great wines to pair with your traditional Irish fare! These St. Patrick's Day food and wine pairing ideas will have your mouth waterin' and your Irish eyes smilin'. Follow the links for recipes!
St. Patrick's Day, London 2006 - Photo by zorilla
Top of the Mornin' Moscato d'Asti is great as a starter or all through brunch. The orange glaze atop these dry scones echoes the sweet mandarin orange flavors of the wine. Bread pudding would make a delightful combination with this wine as well. |
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Follow the rainbow with Pinot Noir in hand. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnip and turnip bring out the earthiness in Pinot Noir, which has deservedly earned the nickname "the ultimate food wine". |
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Go green with a baby spinach salad, topped with feta, toasted walnuts and cranberries or pomegranate. A splash of Rosé added to the vinaigrette brings it all together. |
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Rich garlic puts crisp Sauvignon Blanc to the test alongside Dover sole with a fresh salad and goat cheese. The wine highlights the onion flavor of the scallions and cuts the thick buttery element of the sauce. |
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Salty vs. sweet. Sour vs. sweet. Those are the match-ups here. Fruity Chenin Blanc counters the corned beef's saltiness. Cabbage has a sour element to it that is balanced by the honey and nectar elements of the wine. |
Share your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes on our Facebook page, and let us know how you plan to celebrate!
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Mar 6, 2012 at 4:15 PM
PermalinkPairing Recipe: Stuffed Artichokes
Artichokes are notoriously difficult to match with wine because they contain a compound called cynarin, which makes everything taste sweet after eating it. However, scientists have also discovered that there are health benefits to cynarin. It reduces cholesterol, supports digestion and protects your liver.
Therefore, although they are more challenging to partner, here with ground beef and a thick sauce, they marry beautifully with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The velvety sauce, along with the thickness of the meat, contrasts nicely with the bold bite of the wine. The vegetal qualities of the strong-flavored artichoke mirror similar grassy qualities in the wine.
Ingredients:
- 6 artichokes
- 1 lb. ground chuck
- 1 large egg
- 3-4 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 slices of bread, picked or pulled apart into small pieces
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
1. Rinse artichokes. Cut about 1.5 inches from top (point). Cut off stem and reserve. Artichokes should sit flat by removing stem. With kitchen shears, clip the end from each leaf to remove thorn. Rinse. With point down on a hard surface (counter top) press down to spread leaves. Place artichokes in bowl of lemon water to keep from turning brown.
2. Mix all stuffing ingredients together in large bowl with hands.
3. Tip: Sit down while you stuff artichokes. With forefinger, take a scoop of stuffing and push down into each leaf. Pack it in and press against leaf.
4. After all are stuffed, place in large pot with about 2 inches of water, olive oil, garlic and parsley. The reserved stems should be peeled down to the center core (which you can see on end) and placed in the liquid.
5. Sprinkle artichokes with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. As artichokes cooks, baste often and don’t let liquid evaporate. As liquid steams away, add more water. This liquid turns into a delicious sauce. Artichokes are done when you can pull a leaf off easily. Cook for at least an hour or until leaf pulls off and stuffing tastes done.
Recipe courtesy of Peter Frank, a Winetasting.com customer.
Recommended Wines:
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Alazar 2008 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Crisp and refreshing. Delicious stone fruit characteristics and explosive tropical aromas and flavors distinctively reflect Napa Valley fruit. Grassier characteristics blended with bright tropical notes and flavors. Silver, 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition. [NAP975] $14.99/bottle |
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Made with fruit from top-notch vineyards in New Zealand's Marlborough region and displays the distinctive character for which the region is renowned: a striking intensity of kiwi and passion fruit aromas coupled with bright tropical fruit and citrus flavors. [WHI004] $14.99/bottle |
Be the first to comment on this postPairing Recipe: Leek and Yukon Gold Potato Bisque
The philosophy at J Vineyards is that wine and food enhance each other beautifully, and have always been meant to be enjoyed together. They carefully craft their wines to complement food and offer these pairings with their tasting experiences at the winery. This original recipe was created by J Vineyards' executive chef, Mark E. Caldwell.
An oak-aged California Chardonnay beautifully matches this soup's creamy-sweet flavor. Rich chicken broth creates a textural balance between the soup and the rich wine. The thick consistency of potatoes is cut by the acidity of the Chardonnay with its citrus, muscat and apple-pear qualities.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbs unsalted butter
- 6 leeks (use mostly the white part), washed and sliced
- 1/2 lb Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into large dice
- 1/2 yellow onion, cut into large dice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 pint half-and-half
- 1/2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tbs caraway seeds
- 1 tbs dill, chopped fine
- Kosher salt and white pepper to taste
Directions:
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add leek, potato and onion, sweat for about 5 minutes. Add the half-and-half and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer and continue to cook until potatoes are tender enough to puree, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and transfer in batches to a blender. Puree until smooth and pass through a fine mesh strainer into a clean saucepan. Add caraway, lemon and dill. Bring just to a simmer, then lower heat. Adjust seasonings and keep soup warm until ready to serve.
Recommended Wine Pairing:
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J Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley A sublime combination of Old World minimalist technique and New World fruit expression. Notes of Meyer lemon, peach, vanilla, toasted almond and honey tickle the nose and mouth. The weighty, seamless palate has a creamy texture reminiscent of crème brûlée. A long, luxurious finish exhibits hints of caramel, nutmeg and cinnamon. [WJSH08R0] $27.99/bottle |
Celebrity Status: Famous Names Turned Vintners
To make a success of winemaking, it takes grape-growing expertise, strong management skills, sophisticated equipment and savvy selling. Then there's dealing with Mother Nature, government regulations ... the list goes on and on. And you'll need a whole lot of money up front before you see a dime of it in return (if any).
Oh, there are certainly success stories like Kathryn Kennedy, who produced award-winning wines from her own back yard, but there's no doubt that starting with cash helps. So it makes sense that celebrities would have the capital needed to start and run a winery.
According to the Nielsen Company, celebrity wine sales jumped 19% in grocery stores in 2007 alone. It basically comes down to marketing leverage, something these musicians, actors and athletes had when they jumped into the game.
Musicians
Madonna and her father, Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, collaborated on a handful of wines bearing the superstar's name for Ciccone Vineyard & Winery. Each of the five labels incorporates artwork from Madonna's 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor.
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac fame is drumming up sales with his Mick Fleetwood Private Cellars.
Bob Dylan has bottled an Italian wine blend of Montepulciano and Merlot from Le Terrazze complete with his signature called "Planet Waves", the name of his 1974 album.
Dave Matthews founded Blenheim Vineyards in 2000 near his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. The winery itself was designed by Matthews himself, with the intention to have minimal environmental impact.
Actors
Antonio Banderas, a native of Spain, invested in a winery in the Ribera del Duero region in 2009. Renamed Anta Banderas, the winery produces red wines and roses.
Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd launched his Discovery Series of wines in 2007, which are inspired by his travels to wineries around the globe.
Paul Newman has extended his brand from food products like salad dressing and lemonade into wine with the help of Rebel Wine Co. As with his other products, all profits and royalties after taxes are donated to charity.
French actor Gerard Depardieu has been making wines since the 1980's and owns vineyards in France, Italy, Morocco and Algeria. His Chateau de Tigne produces reds, whites and roses bearing his face and signature.
Athletes
Wayne Gretsky went from ice hockey legend to launching a winery in 2007.
Peggy Fleming, a gold medal skater at the 1968 Olympics owns Fleming Jenkins Winery and Vineyards of Santa Cruz with husband and winemaker, Greg.
Mike Ditka, former NFL coach, has partnered with Mendocino Wine Company to create his lineup of wines which includes a "Kick Ass Red".
Mario Andretti founded Andretti Winery in Napa Valley in 1996 with longtime friend Joe Antonini, former Chairman and CEO of KMart.
Greg Norman has gone from golf to producing red, white and sparkling wines from some of the finest growing regions in Australia and California.
Fellow golfer Ernie Els has a winery in South Africa, and Arnold Palmer is collaborating with Luna Vineyards in the Napa Valley.
St. Patrick’s Day Food and Wine Pairings
The Irish aren't known for their cooking. With specialties like Guinness Stout, Bailey's Irish cream, and Jameson's whiskey, you might say that they're known for their drink a bit more than for their food.
St. Patrick's Day, London 2006 - Photo by zorilla
But when St. Patrick's Day rolls around on March 17, these brunch food and wine pairing ideas will have your mouth waterin' and your Irish eyes smilin'. Follow the links for recipes!
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Top of the Mornin' Moscato d'Asti is great as a starter or all through brunch. The orange glaze atop these dry scones echoes the sweet mandarin orange flavors of the wine. Bread pudding would make a delightful combination with this wine as well. |
|
Follow the rainbow with Pinot Noir in hand. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnip and turnip bring out the earthiness in Pinot Noir, which has deservedly earned the nickname "the ultimate food wine". |
|
Go green with a baby spinach salad, topped with feta, toasted walnuts and cranberries or pomegranate. A splash of Rosé added to the vinaigrette brings it all together. |
|
Rich garlic puts crisp Sauvignon Blanc to the test alongside Dover sole with a fresh salad and goat cheese. The wine highlights the onion flavor of the scallions and cuts the thick buttery element of the sauce. |
|
Salty vs. sweet. Sour vs. sweet. Those are the match-ups here. Fruity Chenin Blanc counters the corned beef's saltiness. Cabbage has a sour element to it that is balanced by the honey and nectar elements of the wine. |
Share your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes on our Facebook page, and let us know how you plan to celebrate!
Pairing Recipe: Fresh Salmon Cakes
Versatile Pinot Noir is one of the few varietals that is a good match with both traditional red and white wine food pairings. Lighter and fruitier than their French counterparts, New World Pinot Noirs are a perfect match with salmon in any form.
As a heavier fish, salmon provides more weight than a traditional white flaky fish. Here, hot spices and herbs give the fish much more substance. Along with the Panko breadcrumbs, it results in a dish that has the weight to pair with a red instead of a white.
Ingredients:
- 1 to 1 1/4 large Western eggplant
- 1 tbs finely minced garlic
- 1 tbs finely minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup of thinly sliced green onion and white scallion rings
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried red chili flakes
- 6 oz. fresh salmon, diced small
- 2 oz. fresh uncooked shrimp, diced small
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbs finely diced celery
- 2 tbs finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 tbs chopped scallions
- 2 tsp chopped lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp seeded, minced jalapeno chili
- 1/4 tsp chopped garlic
- 1 tsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tsp rinsed and drained capers, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Panko or dry bread crumbs for dredging vegetable oil for sautéing
Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the salmon mixture. Divide the mixture and pat to form into 8 cakes no thicker than 1 inch. (The salmon cakes may be prepared in advance to this point. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.)
Dredge the salmon cakes in breadcrumbs that you've seasoned with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan, pour in oil to a depth of 1/8 inch. Heat the oil and sauté the cakes until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
Serves 8 as an appetizer.
Recommended Wine Pairings:
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Paseo 2006 Reserve Unfiltered Pinot Noir Elegant, seductive and lush with piles of fruit. Bronze, 2008 World Wine Championships. [CHI117] $14.99/bottle |
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Pleasant plum and dark cherry flavors flow across the palate, mingling with touches of black pepper and oak. [MON126] $11.99/bottle |
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Mira Luna 2008 California Pinot Noir Soft tannins, a satin-like texture, floral strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors, with a touch of toasty oak. [CAL909] $19.99/bottle |
Wine Vending Machines?!
Yes, it's true. Walmart received approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to put wine vending machines in stores across the state.
So, how does it work?
Pronto wine kiosk by Simple Brands
The wine bottle kiosks can hold up to 700 bottles and 50 different varieties, which can be purchased by credit card. You must be over 21, swipe a state-issued ID or driver's license, and pass a breathalyzer on the spot (with a reading of .02 or lower) to purchase the wine. The kiosks are monitored by a state employee sitting somewhere in Harrisburg using closed circuit television.
Many have asked, "Why doesn't Walmart just sell it themselves?" The answer: Because they can't.
Wine can't be sold in grocery stores in Pennsylvania. Strict licensing laws mean individuals can only buy wine and liquor for home consumption at state-owned stores staffed by public employees. Several attempts to reform the laws have been blocked by special interest groups. But luckily for the thirsty, it's completely legal to circumvent the law with a high-tech gadget. This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "a vintage idea".
The question we should be asking is: Why must the sale of wine be handled in such a roundabout way? The lengths that the wine lovers have to go to in the name of making wine more available seems downright ridiculous.
Winetasting.com cannot currently ship wine to Pennsylvania, nor is it allowed to ship to 11 other states in the U.S. So long as wholesalers and distributors maintain strong lobbying groups to protect the status quo, arcane Prohibition-era laws will remain on the books. And technological workarounds like this will be needed, all for the simple pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine.
Watch this video for more info:
What 's your opinion? Weigh in at www.facebook.com/winetastingcom. And for more information on how you can impact the direct sale of wine in your state, visit www.freethegrapes.com.
Get Thee to a Winery
Visiting a vineyard is right up there among the most romantic ways to spend any day, not just Valentine's Day. Who needs an excuse? Send me on a picnic in a vineyard with a bottle of red and a basket of bread and cheese, and call me smitten!
Here are our top picks for romantic winery destinations.
Sterling Vineyards
This winery offers fine wines in attractive tasting rooms, but getting there is half the fun! You'll arrive via a tram ride and take a self-paced tour complete with motion-activated flat-screen televisions. Perched 300 feet above the town of Calistoga, you'll take in northern Napa Valley views of the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain Ranges that flank the valley, as well as Mt. St. Helena, while you sip from the Sterling View Terrace. Or warm yourself by the fieldstone fireplace in the main tasting room and listen for the winery tower's antique bells resounding through the valley as they toll on the quarter hour. (Info for visitors.)
Domaine Carneros Winery
At this landmark of the Carneros region, founded by Frenchman and Champagne titan Taittinger, you can enjoy your sparkling wine in a salon or on a beautiful terrace, along with caviar and artisan cheeses. Exquisite views of vineyard-covered hills offer the perfect setting to savor wines just 5 miles from Napa and Sonoma. (Info for visitors.)
J Vineyards & Winery
Venture to this Healdsburg winery located in Sonoma's Russian River Valley to feast on hors d'oevres in the Bubble Room. Their seated tasting room experience takes place in an elegant salon with access to many library wines. (Info for visitors.)
Heron Lake Vineyard
If the prospect of horseback riding nearby doesn't put you in the mood, the exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of this winery will. Located in the mountains east of the town of Napa, Wild Horse Valley is a bucolic remote site poised on beautiful Heron Lake. (By appointment only. Call (707) 287-2870 for info.)
Terra Valentine
For the name alone, this is the place to be for lovers and wine lovers alike! This hidden jewel of Spring Mountain
is now owned and operated by the Angus and Margaret Wurtele. Hand-laid concrete and exquisite stained glass windows portraying winemaking images from ancient Roman and Greek mythology have been painstakingly restored. The buildings feature spiral staircases and sumptuous oak paneling from a London wine merchant's office, originally intended to adorn the walls of William Randolph Hearst's home. (Info for visitors.)
Be sure to take advantage of Winetasting.com's concierge services when you're in Napa and Sonoma counties. Call (800) 435-2225 for more information.
Sweets for the Sweet
Wine is just one of many agents employed over history to help the course of true love run smooth. Aphrodisiacs (named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite) like oysters, strawberries, and of course, chocolate will also do the trick.
 Photo by Hector Garcia |
Set the mood with these food and wine pairings that make ideal marrying partners. Start slow with a single glass as an aperitif to stimulate your appetite, and you're on your way.
Aphrodisiac Anyone?
You can have everyday elegance in a fairytale way with a simple appetizer of oysters on the half shell and sparkling wine. Choose Champagne, Cremant d'Alsace or a home-grown version from California.
Bubbles, Bubbles
Champagne is undeniably the world's most romantic beverage. Its seductive power is legendary. But if you're on a budget, you can have the same heart-fluttering experience at the end of your meal with a frizzante (lightly effervescent) like Moscato d'Asti, with a mildly sweet fruit pastry.
 Photo by Steve Ryan |
Pinot Envy
Indulge yourself with red crushed velvet in a glass in the form of Pinot Noir, alongside a slice of chocolate cake. Or try a tempting Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, a sinfully delicious alternative in a lighter red.
In the Pink
Toast your rosé colored glasses with chocolate-dipped strawberries and a Tavel from the southern Rhône.
Say It With Chocolate
Merlot and soft truffles are a heavenly match because of the smooth texture in each.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Raisinettes ... why didn't I think of that sooner? Raisins are just dried grapes, so that's logical. Cab is also good with anything infused with berries or dark chocolate.
Shiraz is a fuller red, good with dark chocolate and anything infused with berry, orange or mocha to echo these more subtle flavors in the wine.
Moscato d’Asti is a lighter alcohol dessert wine that goes with anything orange because of the mandarin orange aromas and flavors in the wine.
Late-harvest Riesling pairs well with flavored chocolates like hazelnut, as does Port.
Host an Oscars Wine Tasting Party
 Photo by Davidlohr Bueso |
If you're an avid Oscars fan, why not host a wine tasting "cocktail hour" of your own? This type of event focuses on the anticipation of the evening and still allows you to take in the awards ceremony uninterrupted. Rate the red carpet entrances as you sip champagne (and still get to bed at a reasonable hour).
Here are a few ideas to get your party started:
Send invitations in the shape of wine glasses or a clapboard. Roll out your own red carpet (or at least a red table runner.) Dress up! It's time to break out the rhinestones and tuxes.
Pull out your best stemware, or borrow a set of 12-24 from a friend. Better yet, make your event "BYOG" (Bring Your Own Glass), with an award for the most elaborately decorated awards night glass.
If you're providing the stemware, bedazzle your wine glasses with charms of all sorts. You know they're hiding in there ... way in the back of your wine cabinet. If you don't use them on Oscar night, when will you use them?
 Photo by Ryan McFarland |
Serve sparkling wine or a celebrity wine like the Francis Ford Coppola series. Don't forget a few buckets of buttered popcorn for your buttery Chardonnay! Serve dessert in Champagne flutes too ... parfaits, assorted chocolates ... use your imagination!
Print out our Wine in Cinematography Trivia tidbits and spread them around the room for fun. In lieu of acceptance speeches, prompt your guests to come up with the craziest, wordiest descriptions for the wines they taste. Award prizes for Best Dressed, Best Supporting Spouse, Best Wine Description, Best at Wine Movie Trivia ... winners receive a bottle of wine.
Napa Valley Academy Awards Party
When the 83rd annual Academy Awards air on Sunday, Feb. 27, we'll be doing a little stargazing of our own.
Winetasting.com and the Napa Valley Unity League will sponsor the Napa Valley Academy Awards Gala, hosted at Robert Mondavi Winery. The event will benefit the CARE Network's HIV/AIDS and cancer programs at the Queen of the Valley Hospital.
Tickets are on sale now!
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