Category Archives: Wine Pairings

Our Top Easter & Passover Wine Picks

They’re two of our region’s most celebrated holidays, two that we look forward to all year. And even if you don’t honor the traditional Easter or Passover rituals, there’s lots to toast to this weekend. Spring has sprung, and our markets are bursting with the new season’s first produce. Here’s what our team recommends to accompany all spring occasions. Whatever you may celebrate – we hope you do so with great wine, family and friends.

OUR TOP EASTER PICKS

Quinta do Encontro Brut
A delightful, relative newcomer to the store that we can’t get enough of. This Portuguese sparkler is dry with vigorous bubbles, and tastes like a dream $25 Champagne, but is half the price! Pop it open to welcome your Easter guests or sip on it as a reward for spending all of Sunday in the garden. $10.99

Steininger Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 
This spring-in-a-bottle charmer will be spectacular with your Easter ham, lamb or vegetarian quiche. Our Wine Manager Kate just returned from a visit to this Austrian winery, where the winemaking family reveled that this past, warmer season was the best vintage they can remember in over 15 years.  Ask her to show you pictures of the lovely family and underground cellars. If you like Whispering Angel, you need to try this Austrian gem!  $19.99

Henri Perrusset Macon Villages Chardonnay 
A wine perfectly suited for spring holiday meals!  This light French white is easy drinking and a super classy selection from the Kermit Lynch Portfolio.  It’s easily one of our absolute favorites.  Crisp, like the morning dew on an early, spring morning. $21.99

Raul Perez “Ultreia” Mencia  
This wine is so special! It tastes like a delicious jam made from Scandinavian raspberries with hints of dried herbs, and a smooth, somehow refreshing finish!  Even, Eric Asimov, NY Times  Wine Critic  agrees, including it in his most recent roundup of value wines not to be missed. It’s a beautiful complement to the Easter mainstays of lamb, ham and roast beef. $21.99

And then there are the bottles below. They do double duty, what with their spring-themed labels and all. Never fear – we wouldn’t recommend them if we didn’t like what was behind the label a whole heck of a lot:

The Little Sheep
What an elegant rose, with notes of red summer berries and delicate floral notes. Smooth, and beautifully balanced with fruit-forward flavors and cherry hints that lead into a refreshing, enjoyable finish. $12.99

Lelievre Pinot Auxerrois
We brought this wine in last year and just had to include it again here, given its affinity to spring foods. It’s from Lorraine, near Champagne and Chablis. Though different from those two wines, if you like them, you’ll love this, too. It’s incredibly, beautifully aromatic, and round with pear and white-fruit flavors, all brought together with a delicate acidity. And did you notice the bunny on the label? Could it be more perfect for this spring and Easter?  $18.99

Le Poussin Rose
Made by by Sacha Lichine of Whispering Angel fame, the “Pink Chick” is a delicate, pale pink blend made mostly from grenache with a little dash of syrah to round it out. It has floral, rose petal scents on the nose and a dry, well balanced palate with supple summer fruits. It’s one of our most popular, packed full of flavor, at a great price. $11.99

OUR TOP PICKS FOR PASSOVER

O’Dwyer’s Creek Sauvignon Blanc
This Kosher for Passover and vegan beauty of a wine is made on a single estate in the iconic Marlborough region of New Zealand. It’s vibrant with juicy, tropical fruits and pairs perfectly with the Passover table. $17.99

The Butcher’s Daughter Bordeaux
A great wine that just happens to be kosher for Passover, this Bordeaux blend is ripe with a bouquet of cassis and raspberry fruit, and a deep cocoa character. Made to drink with your brisket or lamb roast. It’s a year-round best seller! $13.99

Terra Vega Malbec
From Chile, this silky and balanced wine pairs beautifully with brisket, what with its amazing aromas of plum, cherry and herbs, all followed by a fruit-sweet, biscuit finish. $9.99

Chag Pesach! Happy Easter! Happy Spring!
xoxo, Team Bottles

prices subject to change

Milk Stout & Chocolate Chip Cookies

photo credit: Stephanie Ewens

It almost seems too simple, doesn’t it. But when brainstorming on what to pair with this easy and delicious Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie from our friends at Easy Entertaining, we automatically went to the tried and true standards: Madeira, Port, Moscato. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of those wines, we had a head-slap moment when we remembered one of the most iconic and classic pairings of all time: milk & cookies.

Which is why we opened Hitachino’s Sweet Stout when we made the recipe, featured in the Winter issue of Edible Rhody. It’s a 21+ pairing of a sweet milk stout that just loves this hot-from-the-oven masterpiece.
The milk stout comes from Japan’s most acclaimed brewery, Hitachino, and unlike some popular stouts, this one has absolutely no bitterness but all lusciousness. It has notes of chocolate, roasted nuts and coffee that bring out the warmth of this simple, rustic and oh-so comforting dessert.

The Skillet Cookie was featured in Edible Rhody’s wonderful profile of local artisan Matt Cavallaro who crafts stunning cast iron cookware here in Providence via his company, Nest Homeware. His 4.5-inch Egg Pans are shown in the photo above. 

Visit Edible Rhody online to find Easy Entertaining’s recipe for these individual chocolate chip cookies a la mode, then stop in at Bottles to pick up a bottle or two of Sweet Stout.
Bon Appetit!
-Alex

Wine For “Steakhouse Night,” At Home

When we opened the current issue of Edible Rhody and saw New Rivers Chef Beau Vestal’s very delicious take on the traditional “steakhouse” dinner, our minds immediately went to the classic “steakhouse” pairing: a big ‘ole bottle of hearty red wine.

It’s an enduring, no-fail pairing that’s enjoyed nightly in steakhouses across the county. And given Chef Beau’s simple recipe for all the fixins, there’s no reason you can’t replicate it at home. Says Chef Beau:  “A quick herb rub and a short time on the grill makes hanger steak, one of the most flavorful cuts of beef, really sing. Serve the steaks with roasted spiced sweet potatoes and lightly creamed kale and any autumn night can be steakhouse night!

And for our wine pairing we turned to our brand new Wine Director Melissa Principe, whom you’ll be hearing a lot from in the coming weeks. We’re excited to have her with us and can’t wait for you to meet her.

Melissa paired the steak, sweet potato & creamed spinach with the 2016 La Posta Pizzella Malbec ($17.99): “I have had the pleasure of visiting this vineyard and meeting the Pizzella family. Argentina has a deep history of Italian immigrants and the La Posta project highlights those connections with these single vineyard wines. Chef Beau’s recipe reminded me of the amazing lunch we had at the vineyard that highlighted the natural pairing of beef and malbec. The Pizzella is full and lush, and hits you at first with a nose of dark berry fruit and cocoa, then unfolds with a beautiful pink peppercorn spice on the finish. The longer it’s open, the deeper the cocoa gets, and the richer the berry flavor. It’s a big wine for a big steak dinner!”


Chef Beau Vestal’s Grilled Hanger Steak and Sweet Potato “Steak Fries” with Pumpkin Seek Chimichurri and Lightly Creamed Kale

INGREDIENTS

Chimichurri:
½ cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
¼ cup fresh oregano, coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (or pepitas), shelled and toasted
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Sweet Potatoes:
3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), washed and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground fennel seed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Steak:
¼ cup fresh rosemary leaves
¼ cup fresh sage leaves
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cracked pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 (6 ounce) pieces hanger steak

METHOD

First make the chimichurri: Combine parsley, oregano, vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper in a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add pumpkin seeds and olive oil. Stir to combine. Check seasoning and set aside.

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss together the sweet potatoes, olive oil, allspice, fennel, salt and pepper. Arrange slices in single layer on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Rotate pan and flip sweet potatoes over to ensure even browning. Bake additional 10 minutes until potatoes are “fork-tender” and nicely browned.

For the steaks, add fresh herbs, olive oil, salt and pepper in a blender and purée until smooth. Rub all over steaks until steaks are well-coated. Let them sit while you heat up the grill (or use a grill pan over high heat).

Grill steaks over high heat about 3 to 4 minutes per side. (A meat thermometer should read 130ºF for medium-rare to medium.) Pull steaks off grill and place on plate tented with foil to keep warm until ready to serve. Drizzle steak with chimichurri and serve alongside sweet potatoes and the creamed kale. Serves 6.

Enjoy!

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A Wine to Pair with Roasted Pork Loin, Summer Vegetables & Herbs

If you haven’t yet spent time with the summer issue of Edible Rhody, you’re missing out on coverage of some of the best seasonal eating and drinking our state has to offer. To tide you over until you do pick up a complimentary copy at Bottles, we’re happy to present a pairing of a terrific wine with a summer-style roasted pork loin dish from Metacom Kitchen’s Chef/Owner Richard Allaire.

pork

Said Chef Richard: “This recipe embraces the simplicity of summer cooking when you can let the ingredients shine through. You can adapt this using other vegetables, citrus or herbs depending on what is available at the farmers’ market.”

chinonKate Miceli, our Wine Assistant, paired this seasonal dish with the 2016 Couly-Dutheil Chinon Rosé. Said Kate: “Made from 100% cabernet franc, the Couly-Dutheil is punchy with pronounced flavors of ripe plums, mulberries, fresh thyme and lilac flowers. It has a luscious mouthfeel that is perfect with roasted pork, and the herbaceous tones mingle fantastically with the herbs and the carrot cumin sauce. Enjoy!”

 

 

 

Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Corn, Pearl Couscous Salad with Warm Carrot Cumin Sauce.(Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS

1 pound pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
3 shallots, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin seed
1 lime
25 snow peas (or use snap peas or green beans), blanched
4 ounces Israeli couscous
1 large heirloom tomato, seeded and diced
1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

METHOD

Preheat oven to 300°F. Preheat grill or prepare coals. Season pork with coriander and salt, then rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on grill and sear on all sides (this should take just a few minutes), then transfer to a cooking rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Place in the oven for approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Using a thermometer, remove from oven when internal temperature is 140°F. Set aside and let rest at room temperature while you prepare the salad.

Meanwhile, coat corn with 1 tablespoon olive oil and char on the grill on all sides. Let the cobs cool, then cut corn kernels off of the cob. Reserve the kernels and place the shorn cobs in a pot with the carrots, minced shallots and ground cumin seed. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook until carrots are very tender, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from heat and discard corn cobs. Transfer carrots, shallots and liquid to a blender. Add juice from ½ lime and ¼ teaspoon salt. Blend until carrot purée is very smooth (add more water if needed for desired consistency). Keep warm.

Bring approximately 3 quarts of water to a boil with 3 tablespoons salt added. Add snow peas and blanch 1 minute (2 minutes for green beans) and then remove with a slotted spoon. In the same water, cook couscous for about 6 to 8 minutes until al dente, strain. Coat couscous with 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.

Combine cooked corn, snow peas, diced heirloom tomatoes, juice from the other 1⁄2 lime plus the chopped cilantro in a bowl, along with the couscous. Add salt to taste. Place pork back on grill for 3 to 4 minutes to warm slightly (if desired) and then slice into large 4 pieces. Spoon carrot purée on each of 4 plates, then divide couscous salad equally. Place pork on each plate and serve immediately.

Cheers & Enjoy!

Peyrassol Rosés: That’s A Great Price, But What Do They Taste Like?

pey_groupIn a word, amazing.

First, some context: Even if you’re not a history buff, the story of the Peyrassol domain is pretty astounding. The estate was founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Templar on the site of their Commanderie. (Yes, those same Knights who were dedicated to protecting the crusaders en route to the Holy Land.) Winemaking has continued on that very same land, uninterrupted over the centuries, under the command of various powers and families, to this day. And with that amount of practice and experience under its belt, it’s no wonder that Peyrassol produces wines that are considered the benchmark against which all other Provencal rosés are measured.

Today, Peyrassol adheres to strict organic guidelines in the vineyard, eschewing synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides for natural methods. The wines are a beautiful expression of the region’s clay and limestone terroir, capturing the very essence of Provence: fresh, refined elegance.

pey_chat

The creme de la creme of the Peyrassol rosé collection is the Chateau de Peyrassol. Made with grapes harvested from the domain’s oldest vines, the wine gets its darker color, character and concentration from a long maceration period. It is a more full-bodied rosé, with notes of citrus, peach and apricot. It’s lively yet delicate, and is a very special bottle.

peyc_command

By comparison, the Commanderie de Peyrassol is a bit more traditional: it’s lighter in body with more minerality. It starts with lovely fruit blossom aromas, has refreshing flavors of watermelon and peach and finishes on a silky, stony note. The domain considers it the workhorse of the estate.

pey_lou

The newest addition to the Peyrassol lineup is entry-level-priced #Lou. It’s a highly-drinkable rosé for those both just getting into pink wine, as well as those of us who drink it year-round. It has a crisp start, fills your mouth with wild strawberries and citrus flavors, then finishes with mineral notes.

All three wines are on sale at Bottles through June 15th, 2017, at pricing meant to encourage your exploration of this historical and excellent estate. We think you’ll enjoy them as much as we do.

— #Lou: $11.99 (or just $10 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Commanderie de Peyrassol: $19.99 (or just $16.66 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
— Chateau de Peyrassol: $24.99 (or just $20.83 a bottle with a 12-btl case purchase)
(additional case discounts and rewards points do not apply)

All prices subject to change.

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A Recipe from north Restaurant, With Wine

You can’t get any more seasonal or versatile than this, a delicious recipe from Bottles’ friend Chef James Mark of north, and recently named Edible Rhody Local Hero. Make it for breakfast. Make it for lunch. Or make it for dinner. We don’t care which, just as long as you make it. And do be sure to try it with Eric’s wine pick, the Laurent Barth Alsacian gewurztraminer. Says Eric: “This pairing gets a big WOW from us! It’s one of our favorite white wines and is an intriguing companion to James’s complexly flavored dish. The wine is intensely fragrant with aromas of spring flowers and exotic fruits and has the perfect amount of fruitiness and zippy acidity to accentuate, but not overpower, the multi-layered flavors of the dish.”

The recipe and pairing were initially featured in Edible Rhody‘s beautiful Spring issue.

Edible_Rhody_northphoto credit: Edible Rhody

gewLIGHTLY CHARRED GREENS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPICY BREADCRUMBS

Chef/Owner James Mark, north, Providence, and Edible Rhody Local Hero, 2017: Chef/Restaurant

Says Chef James Mark: This recipe celebrates what we in the Northeast have at the farmers’ market in early- to mid-spring—overwintered kale, spinach, broccoli and chard—all of which are incredibly sweet, their sugars concentrated by chilly nights and warm days. Butternut squash, if stored correctly, has the time to develop a deep complexity and concentrated sweetness. This recipe makes good breakfast, lunch or dinner food. Throw a fried egg on it for breakfast, eat it chilled with cooked barley for lunch or add some pasta or serve it as is for a side for dinner. You’ll end up with extra butternut sauce, which is great on rice, mixed into scrambled eggs or as a pasta sauce.

1 small butternut squash, peeled and seeded
1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 bulb (6–7 cloves) garlic, peeled
Neutral cooking oil, such as grapeseed
Dried chile flakes
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons maple syrup (or to taste)
1–2 bunches dark leafy greens (whichever look good at the market, such as kale, Swiss chard, collards, broccoli tips, bok choy or a combination), washed and patted dry
½ teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (or more to taste)
¼ cup Spicy Breadcrumbs*
2 scallions, sliced very thinly
Lemon wedge

Cut the squash into 1-inch cubes and add to a sauce pot along with the onion and garlic.

Barely cover with water and boil until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Pour contents into a blender (or food processor) along with 1 tablespoon oil and blend until very smooth. Season with the chile, salt, black pepper and maple syrup to taste.

Next, strip the greens off their stems and cut the leaves roughly into 4-inch pieces. (Stems can be cooked with the leaves, or use them in a stew or pesto. Just cut them thinly across the grain so they are palatable.)

Heat a high-walled Dutch oven or enameled pan until very hot. Add the greens and allow to char undisturbed, about 2–3 minutes.

Season with oregano, chile, a pinch of salt and add 1–2 teaspoons oil. Toss, allowing the greens to wilt slightly, about 30 seconds. Add approximately a ½ cup of the butternut sauce. Toss again and transfer to a serving bowl.

Garnish generously with breadcrumbs, scallions, a squeeze of lemon and a few turns of black pepper. Feeds 4–6 people as a side dish or 2 as a main course.

* Spicy Breadcrumbs
4 cups Japanese panko
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon dried chile flakes
2–3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil, such as grapeseed

Add ingredients to a sauté pan and place over medium heat. Toss continually in the pan until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Drain on paper towels, cool and store in an airtight container. Note: This makes extra, but they last, and are great on pasta, too.

Bon Appetit!

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Our Top 9 Spring Wines, Part II

We’re down to just a few weeks now until our local farmer’s markets will awash with brightly-colored and fresh spring produce: green peas, ramps and asparagus, magenta rhubarb, orange carrots and more. Prep for the arrival of those goodies now, friends, with our selection of spring wines that are equally as bright and fresh with flavor. Here are our remaining picks of the season’s best this year.

spring_veggiesDomaine de Martinolles ‘Le Berceau’ Blanquette de Limoux, Languedoc, France $14.99
‘Le Berceau’ translates to ‘cradle’ which in this case symbolizes the birthplace of sparkling wine. This bottle was made using the traditional Champenoise method, making this delicious, crisp and bone dry bubbly a spectacular value.

Contour Pinot Noir, Monterey, Napa & Sonoma, California $14.99
Loads of juicy strawberry and blackberry fruit with a whisper of spice on the finish – making it a perfect match with your first-of-the-season grill fare (salmon anyone?)!

Thierry Germain ‘Les Roches’ Saumur Champigny, Loire Valley, France $27.99
Hand-harvested cabernet franc from 25+ year old vines. Fruity, pleasantly funky, and completely biodynamic/organic, this bottle is pretty acidic and begs to be paired with a creamy spring pea risotto or a rich lamb dish.

Fatum Dry Spanish White Blend, La Mancha, Spain $11.99
Bursts of lime citrus flavor with ripe pear notes that gently wash over your palate. Look for hints of salt and brine to round out that tart finish. A staff favorite!

Enjoy Spring!

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The Top 3 Wine & Chocolate Pairings

Drink wine with chocolate, we say. Not just because it’s Valentine’s Day. But because the two are great together – when you choose wisely – and they should be enjoyed in tandem whenever you’re in the mood. Not just on February 14th.

How to Pair: Though wine and chocolate are great on their own, it can be challenging to make them sing together. For a balanced pairing, select a wine that is sweeter than the chocolate (the percentage of chocolate will give you an idea of its sweetness: The higher the cacao, the lower the sugar/sweetness). When in doubt, pair milk chocolate (high sugar %) with lighter-bodied wines. Pair fuller-bodied, fruit-forward wines with darker chocolate (high cacao %).

And as always, toss all guidelines out the window if your palate tells you otherwise. The best pairing is the one you like.

To help you get your creative juices flowing, here are our top three chocolate and wine pairings:

chocolatecake_wineDark Chocolate Cake with Marenco “Pineto” Brachetto d’Acqui

A prime example that illustrates the beauty of choosing a wine that’s sweeter than the chocolate. This bright red sparkling wine from Piedmont is slightly sweet, with fine citrus blossom and stone fruit notes, all of which complement the cake’s dense, rich flavors and mouthfeel.

chocolatepieces_wineValrhona Chocolate with JL Chave “Mon Coeur” Cotes-du-Rhone

This is a fun one for all you serious dark chocolate lovers. It’s rooted in the trusted “What grows together goes together” wine pairing adage, as Valrhona chocolate is made just miles from where the wine in made, in France’s Rhone Valley. Use the chocolate in your favorite (not so sweet) homemade dessert, or simply let a minimum 70%-cacao square melt on your tongue while sipping this bone dry grenache/syrah blend.

chocstrawberries_wineChocolate Dipped Strawberries with Tintero Moscato d’Asti

Though this fizzy, slightly sweet wine can stand on its own as dessert, we love it when paired with fruit! The fresh, lively character of this white wine, again from Piedmont, is a natural partner to the light, tart strawberry fruit, and the creamy chocolate.

We hope you enjoy our pairings – and encourage you to share your thoughts or ideas on others!

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Comfort Wine for Comfort Food, Part II

Fact: More comfort foods are eaten per capita in January than in any other month. Post-Fact: OK, we have nothing official to back that stat up, but it certainly feels right, doesn’t it?

Because it does so to us, here are more Comfort Wine and Comfort Food pairings that get our team through trying times and blustery weather. They’re the equivalent of the down-filled couch you lose yourself in, the cozy sweater worn fireside, and the hug from a life-long friend.
meinkklang

Meinklang Frizzante Rosé ($19.99), with Chicken & Waffles 
It’s about balance, people. You’ll find me at my happiest when eating piping hot fried chicken with waffles smothered in maple syrup and butter while simultaneously sipping ice-cold, light-as-air, pink bubbles. The fizz cuts through the dish’s richness and the entire composition can make any bad day do a 180. By the way, your chicken & waffles aren’t complete if you’re not drizzling them up with Cholula’s just before consuming. Just sayin’. – Alex

pujol

Pujol Izard Minervois Vieille Vignes ($15.99), with Shepard’s Pie 
The herbal notes you get in every Languedoc wine, combined with the bright lively fruit in this particular bottle, make the Pujol Izard extremely food friendly. It’s particularly great for medium bodied casserole-type dishes, and my favorite, Shepard’s pie.  – Nick

pegoes

Pegoes Red Blend ($6.99), with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich 
I use a ton of butter (and sometimes mayo) on the outside of the bread when making my grilled cheese. To balance all of that rich, creamy and salty goodness, I drink this jammy red, which is bursting with juicy, ripe fruit. And that it is under $7 a bottle is a comfort to my post-holiday wallet, too. -Katie

ciacci

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Toscana Rosso ($14.99), with Chicken Parmesan 
Ciacci Piccolomini is in the town of Montalcino in Tuscany. The house is best known for their Pianrosso, which is one of the world’s most renowned brunellos. They can’t help but make great wine and this one, their most affordable option, is spectacular! It’s a blend, and has all the elegance of a brunello, but with a bit lighter and fruitier finish. It’s my go-to wine for my favorite comfort food: Chicken Parmesan. Be sure to load up the cheese! – Kate

borealis

Montinore Borealis White Blend ($14.99), with Sauerkraut with Roast Pork and Dumplings
A match made in my own perfect heaven!  Borealis is an organic wine made in Oregon from grapes more traditionally found in Alsace.  Brimming with both ripe fruit and savory flavors, this beautiful wine sings and dances around the rich sauerkraut, dumplings and pork.  This is where New World wine and Old World food collide!  Bam!  -Eric

Comfort Wines: Now, more than ever.

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Comfort Wine for Comfort Food

There are no two ways about it. 2016 was a doozy. Which is why we’re easing into the new year with the cozy-wool-blanket bottles we call Comfort Wines. They’re the uncomplicated, easy drinking wines we crave when we just want to tune out, sit back, and feed our souls.  Herewith, a few of our team’s favorite Comfort Wine and Comfort Food pairings that do just that.

curator
The Curator Red Blend ($10.99) with Mom’s Beef Stew
“Mom’s hearty beef stew is my favorite dish. The Curator, with its juicy fruit flavors, is my favorite everyday red. I put the two together and get a smile on my face. If it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad. Unless you get the bay leaf in your mouth by accident.” – Mia

hugel

Hugel Pinot Blanc ‘Cuvee Les Amours’ ($17.99) with Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto
“Asparagus has always been a tricky vegetable to pair wine with, but the creaminess of this dish (coupled with mushrooms’ earthiness) really lets the individual components shine. Don’t forget to start your rice off with a splash of this outstanding Pinot Gris – it will help spotlight the wine when it comes time to eat!” – Liam

prima

Primaterra Primitivo ($11.99) with Polenta with Rabe Sausage 
“The rabe sausage is available at Anthony’s Sangwich shop on Admiral street,  across from Lasalle Bakery. It is the best. I pair it with the full-bodied Primaterra Primitivo. You can’t go wrong with this one.” – Don

pouilly

Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuisse  ($27.99) with Pa Ralph’s Ultimate Chicken Soup
“When the weather turns wet, icy and raw, I need a healthy dose of my father’s chicken soup to warm me up!  And with its great blend of roasted chicken, orzo, cheese and spices, I reach for a white Burgundy.  More specifically a great Pouilly-Fuisse like Latour’s. Its slight touch of oak doesn’t dominate the chardonnay, but instead adds a note of creaminess that is the perfect marriage for the world’s best chicken soup.” – Josh

Stay tuned next week for another batch of our favorite Comfort Wines.

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