Tag Archives: food

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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Super Bowl Party Pairings

So your team hasn’t made it to the big game. So what. We can think of at least one reason why this could be a good thing: You now have more time to pay attention to the food on the table and the drink on the bar than the action on the field. And sure, yes, ok, your standard suds will be just fine with traditional game day fare. But put in a touch of extra effort, people – it’ll make game day that much more delicious.

Here are the brews we’ll be drinking when watching the two teams vie for their big fancy rings.

superbowl_snack_sausage

Smokey Sausages with Doppelbocks. The German beer’s big, strong and dark maltiness is a natural fit with the smoky meaty flavor of cocktail sausages & pigs in a blanket. We’re reaching for the  Weihenstephan Korbinian Doppelbock for its figgy, nutty roastiness.

superbowl_snacks_chili

Bowls of Chili with Big IPAs. A classic marriage of a hot-spicy chili with the hop-spicy IPA. We’re going for the sticky, hoppy, bold Lord Hobo Boom Sauce IPA.

superbowl_snacks_wings

Buffalo Wings & Blue Cheese Sauce with German Pilsners. The crisp, floral and refreshing German pils will balance out the wings’ addictive cheesy, spicy goodness. And the classic Bitburger Pilsner fits the bill for us every time.

superbowl_snacks_dip

Potato Chips & Onion Dip with Saisons. Nothing’s easier than ripping open a bag of chips and dipping them into a can of good old creamy, herbal onion dip. Nothing, that is, except cracking opening a bottle of a saison, whose herbal and spicy notes will balance that creamy dip. Allagash Saison, anyone?

Enjoy the game and may the best team win!

A Mushroom Wine Pairing

Photo by Chip Riegel

The humble mushroom is a cook’s best friend, given its amazing flavor and texture, versatility and nearly year-around availability in local farmer’s markets. It’s also beloved in the wine world as it has a natural affinity for so many different wine grapes and styles.

When pairing wine with mushrooms, consider their power: delicate varieties (the chanterelle, the oyster, for example) play best with light to medium bodied wines. Meaty ‘shrooms (portobello) love big, bold styles.

For the following dish of blue oyster mushrooms roasted with grape tomatoes and tarragon (from the Winter 2015 edition of Edible Rhody), we zeroed in on the texture of the mushrooms: roasting adds a richness to their delicate nature, calling for a medium-bodied wine. We also wanted to complement the dish’s other ingredients and aromatics: tomatoes and tarragon. And for this we turned to Italy for a white and a red that work well with acid and herbs.

oyster

2014 Cantine Colosi, Nero d’Avola, Sicily There’s a supple cherry fruitiness in this medium-bodied bottle that is a lovely balance to the oyster mushroom’s delicate earthiness, and its menthol finish is just delicious with the dish’s tarragon notes. The nero d’avola grape – the superstar of Sicily – is a natural match for tomatoes.

2013 Argillae Orvieto, Umbria This blend is a beautiful example of the savory white wines Italy is known for. It has floral and tropical notes that add a brightness to the roasted dish, but it is its savory, almond notes that we prize with the mushroom’s earthy flavor and the warm licorice aromas from the tarragon.

ROASTED BLUE OYSTER MUSHROOMS WITH GRAPE TOMATOES AND FRESH HERBS
Co-owner Bob DiPietro, RI Mushroom Co., South Kingstown

Just about any type of fresh herbs can be used in this recipe—just be careful they don’t overwhelm the dish. Use less of stronger herbs like rosemary or sage than you would basil or tarragon. You can also substitute different mushrooms or opt for a mix. (Total cooking time may vary.)  Bottles’ Note: we like to use tarragon in this dish, and think it’s sublime served over pasta.

¾–1 pound (5–6 cups) blue oyster mushrooms
1 cup (½ pint) grape tomatoes, washed and halved
2–3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1–2 tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar*
2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons mix of chopped fresh tarragon, thyme or Italian flat leaf parsley, divided
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
Trim off woody stems of the mushrooms and reserve for another use (a terrific addition to homemade stock). Shred the remaining mushrooms lengthwise into a large bowl.

Add tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, garlic and 1 tablespoon herbs. Toss well.

Arrange the mixture in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning.

Remove from oven, add remaining herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste. (I always add salt at the very end whenever cooking mushrooms, otherwise they will exude their natural juices.)

May be served as a side dish, tossed with pasta or as a topping for steak or burgers. Serves 4.

* Instead of vinegar you can use pickle brine. I highly recommend the pickle brines from Rhode Island’s own Fox Point Pickling Co.

Cheers and Bon Appetit!

 

 

Wines to Pair with Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Photo by Amy McCoy

Come ON … look at that photo … why are you still reading and not on your way to the market to pick up fixins to make this Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese?  While you’re out, stop by Bottles for one (or more) of the wines we suggest to pair with this absolutely delicious, rich and comforting dish. (Recipe below, courtesy of Edible Rhody.)

White Wine:

macncheese1

Evolucio Furmint. Grown primarily in the Tokaj region of Hungary, the furmint grape produces both sweet and dry wines. This crisp, refreshing easy-drinking bottle is a dry version, though given its ripe apple and floral aromas, it presents as a touch on the sweeter side. Which means it will echo the beautiful sweet squash, and its tangy acidity will slice through all that cheese.

macncheese4

Souscherie Savennieres Clos Des Perrieres. One of our favorite expressions of the chenin blanc grape is the beautiful wine made in the Savennieres region of France’s Loire Valley. This medium bodied, stunning and very special bottle has notes of honey and apricot (both of which have a natural affinity for cheese) and a vanilla finish, which is a lovely complement to butternut squash.

Red Wine:

macncheese2
Caiado Red Blend. A mix of cabernet sauvignon and two other relatively-obscure red grapes from Portugal, this terrific-value-of-a-bottle bursts with juicy fruit, is slick with silky tannins and is low in alcohol – all things we like when pairing wine with cheese-based dishes. It reminds us of the jam on a well-crafted cheese board: it’s the bright, sweeter yin to the cheese’s rich, creamy yang.

macncheese3

Laurence Remi Dufaitre Cote de Brouilly. Most wine pros have the gamay grape on their short list of wines that match mac ‘n’ cheese really well. And given its lighter style, and fruit-forward elegance, we have to agree. This in particular is a really fun, organic bottle from one of the more pristine of the Beaujolis cru. It’s succulent with bright fruit and a crispy acidity which will complement the squash and the cheese in equal measure.

FARMERS’ MAC ‘N’ CHEESE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH
By Amy McCoy, author of Poor Girl Gourmet and founder/blogger of TinyFarmhouse.com

Master recipe (serves 4–6):
3¼ to 3½ pounds whole butternut squash, peeled, seeded and sliced into ½-inch rounds
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound pasta, such as ziti or penne rigate, prepared al dente according to the manufacturer’s instructions
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
4 cups (1 quart) whole milk, warmed
8 ounces (approximately 4 cups), grated sharp cheese (Narragansett Creamery Atwell’s Gold, cheddar cheese or a mix), divided
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly oil a 13- by 9-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, toss the squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then transfer to a large, rimmed baking sheet and arrange in a single layer.

Roast on the middle rack for 50 to 55 minutes, until the edges are golden brown, and the squash easily mashes with a fork.

Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly. Transfer squash to a mixing bowl and mash.

(Can be done a day ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight.)

Place cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl.

Then make the béchamel sauce. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour gradually, using a whisk to blend it into the butter. Cook until the mixture is a light caramel brown shade, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, being careful not to burn. Slowly add the warmed milk, whisking constantly to keep the mixture from clumping. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the sauce is the consistency of pancake batter, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in half the shredded cheese and sprinkle with nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper.

Add the butternut squash and stir to combine evenly throughout the sauce. Mix the butternut-béchamel sauce with the pasta, stirring well to combine, then transfer to the baking dish. Top with remaining cheese, sprinkle with thyme leaves, season with salt and pepper and bake until the cheese is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes.

Notes: Can be prepared up to the point of topping with added cheese then covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Please note that the cooking time may need to be increased as the ingredients will be starting from a colder temperature right out of the refrigerator.

For a slightly creamier finished dish, increase the milk to 5 cups.

Bon Appetit!

Wines to Pair with Braises, Roasts & Stews

They’re the mainstay cooking methods in winter kitchens, and the backbone of virtually all of the comfort foods we are genetically inclined to crave when the mercury dips below 32. Here are our picks for the wines that will match the rich, warming flavors these techniques will bring to your table.

2010 Chateau Magneau Rouge
Graves, Bordeaux, France
A particularly dry wine with only hints of fruit and a pronounced minerality that goes especially well with the flavor of roasted lamb.

2010 Domaine Bessa Valley
‘Petit Enira’
Ognianovo, Bulgaria
A sturdy red with a judicious amount of boastful red fruit that stands up just fine to the richest of roast beef dishes. It’s 100% merlot and it’s from Bulgaria (Bulgaria? Bulgaria!). Trust us, it’s a perfect match!

2014 Il Casolare (Verdicchio)
Marche, Italy
A white wine that is more savory than fruity with loads of flavor like roasted almonds, fresh herbs and sweet hay.  Great with herb-rubbed roasted chicken as the wine and chicken share many of the same flavors.

2014 Gia (Barbera/Dolcetta/Nebbiolo)
Langhe, Italy
Intense and highly appealing aromas and flavors that are a perfect match to the rich personality and creamy texture of Osso Bucco.

2012 Pujol Izard
Minervois (Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah)
Languedoc, France
A serious dish like short ribs requires a serious wine like this one.  Studded with intense flavors of dark red fruit with hints of black pepper, this full bodied beauty can stand up to the richest of ribs.

2014 Penya
(Grenache, Carignan, Syrah)
Cotes Catalanes/Roussillon, France
Silky and not too heavy, this blend from the South of France is a perfect match to your favorite Coq au Vin dish.  Perfect to cook with and great to drink!

2014 Terre Nere
Etna Bianco D.O.C.
Sicily, Italy
An interesting and rich white wine to go with a rich seafood, such as an oyster stew.
Definitely floral on the nose with a fresh and salty flavor profile that has hints of minerals, just like oysters!

2013 L’Argentier
(Cinsault)
Languedoc, France
A deliciously rustic wine that’s an ideal partner for cassoulet. Highly aromatic and medium bodied, this wine is perfectly at home with whatever your cassoulet recipe calls for.

2014 Astoria ‘Caranto’
(Pinot Noir)
Veneto, Italy
For a traditional Boeuf Bourguignon recipe, we’re shaking things up with a pinot noir from Italy. Perfectly balanced between light and heavy, the Caranto’s flavors make the beef sing while being heavy enough to not get lost.

Cheers and Bon Appetit!

Barbecue for me and you!

Folks, we are officially in the throws of summer! Rhode Island, the wiley mistress she is, has decided to give us a momentary reprieve. And so there’s no better time to pull out your grills and get cooking! Best Wine Pairings for Grilling and BBQ The beautiful thing about summertime grilling is the laid back nature; of throwing it on the grill and cracking open a bottle of something delicious.

The key behind pairing wine and food is to match the flavor characteristics. Sometimes foods flavors align with a wines palate, but other times it’s the age old idea that opposites attract which can be surprising!

Here at Bottles, we’ve decided to help you out by going ahead and removing the guesswork. From vegetables to beef and all things in between, we have your perfect summertime pairings! Wine Pairings for Grilled Foods

VEGETABLES

From the plethora of farmers markets that run all summer long in Rhode Island there is a virtually endless rainbow of produce to enjoy.

Berger Gruner Veltiner - white wine food pairings

Berger Grüner Veltliner 2013, $14.99

Clean, subtle & floral with notes of grapefruit and a refreshing peppery quality throughout. This Grüner is just oh so bright and crisp! Let me just say what a great value this wine is at a liter a bottle, that means a little more bang for your buck!

 

RIBS, STEAK, SAUSAGES

LambruscoMedici Ermete Grasparossa Lambrusco, $17.99
This is my wild card recommendation! Too often, Lambrusco has been pushed aside and forgotten, but not anymore. Yes, some Lambruscos can have a juicy, fruitier quality to them; however, when you’re enjoying something rich and fatty like pork or beef ribs, that is exactly the kind of flavor you want to counter that smoky saltiness from grilling. This particular wine has red berry ripeness to it; the light effervescence, however, keeps this wine from feeling too weighty.

Catena Malbec Wine PairingsCatena Malbec 2011, $19.99
What would a guide on grilling be without at least one Argentinian recommendation? The Argentinians are known the world over for their love of grilled meats, and taking a page from their book, I can think of no better wine to recommend. Without coming across as too fruity, this wine is ripe and juicy in all the right places with a sensual smokiness, making for the perfect accompaniment to grilled steak.

Foris GewurztraminerForis Gewurztraminer 2012, $15.99
I chose this particular vintage which comes from Oregon because it has warmer flavors of nectarines and pineapples, with heady aromas of lush citrus blossom and delicate rose. Despite being fruity, this wine is by no means sweet – the finish is pure with no cloying sweetness. Whether it is chicken sausages, lighter brats, or kielbasas when it comes to pairing ‘wursts, choosing a white that is a little richer in body will complement the fatty richness of the sausage.

 

SEAFOOD – FISH & SHELLFISH

What is summertime in Rhode Island without seafood? I love the simplicity of whole grilled fish dressed up with fresh herbs and citrus – for me, you just cannot get any better.

Stefano Massone GaviStefano Massone Gavi 2013, $14.99
Gavi di Gavi was made for summertime! Made from 100% Cortese grapes, this wine has a soft but bright palate. Clean flavors of apple and pear are grounded by a refreshing mineral note, making it the perfect wine to pair with delicate white fish.

 

Matua Pinot Noir - Wine Pairings

Matua Pinot Noir 2012, $12.99
Long gone are the days of solely drinking white wines with fish when enjoying meatier options such as salmon and swordfish. Light bodied reds are definitely the way to go! This New Zealand Pinot Noir has notes of bright red fruit and earthy herbs, and the palate is supple and easy drinking.

 

Lobsters, oysters, and littlenecks oh my! Is there anything more quintessentially New England than the scrumptious taste of shellfish? Pair it with this Portuguese white blend.

aveledafollies_alvarinho_t

Aveleda ‘Follies’ Alvarinho/Loureiro 2012, $10.99
A delicious Portuguese white blend that has a surprisingly ample palate with heavenly herbal and stone fruit notes. Despite being medium bodied, this wine still manages to have a light thirst quenching finish with crisp acidity! Fragrant and flavorful this white will stand up to the richness of shellfish.

 

CHICKEN

Chicken, everyone’s favorite protein! Versatile and easy, here are a few wines that will pair with your grilled chicken.

Macon VillagesAlbert Bichot Macon Villages 2012, $12.99
What a fantastic bottle of White Burgundy for such a great price! This Chardonnay is an absolute classic French white; the palate has light floral notes balanced by a streak of refreshing minerality throughout. Medium bodied with very little oak, this white manages to maintain a fresh and easy drinking quality about it making it a sure hit for all things poultry!

 

Jean Francois GamayJean Francois Merieau Gamay 2011, $15.99
Beaujolais in the summertime! A perfect light red to enjoy in the warmer months. Since it is lighter in body, it won’t come across as too heavy on the palate. Fresh vibrant red fruit notes like strawberries and raspberries pair with an earthy herbal character, this wine is just good and easy!

 

Rosé Wines

Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget about our UNIVERSAL wine pairing for summertime: Rosé! I am such a big advocate of rosés especially once they are in season. I have yet to meet the rosé that I don’t absolutely adore.

Rose Wine Pairings for Grilling

The beautiful thing about rosé is that they are no longer those sickly sweet wines of days gone by. Instead we now have a full spectrum of rosés for every taste! From the dry and mineral driven rosés from Provence, to the juicier, more fruit forward New World rosés, there is something tasty to be had no matter what style you prefer.

Because there are just too many wonderful rosés to pick from and describe here, please stop by Bottles and see for yourself! We have a bountiful selection of rosés to choose from, and you’ll have plenty of new and fun things to try all summer long!

If there is one idea behind my pairing recommendations it is that you have fun with it. Just as grilling is a casual summertime activity, so selecting a wine pairing.

No fuss, no muss, just easy and delicious!

Jackie’s FUN TIP: Be sure to chill your wines! Even reds can stand to be cooled down in the warmer summer months in order to allow their vibrant natures to shine through! So don’t be afraid, chill that red!

– by Jackie Blackwell

 

Our Top 9 Spring Wines

Top Spring Wines

For us, spring is the real beginning of the year.  So many exciting wines start to arrive, the most notable being rosé from all over the world. When thinking about springtime foods, they mirror the season very well – fresh, light and with vibrant flavors and colors.  To make a comparison, we think of Grüner Veltliner, Albariño and Cabernet Franc to be the Ramps, Fiddlehead Ferns and Asparagus of the wine world.

PRINTABLE WINE LIST >

 

Spring Wines

Look for our in-store display of spring wines, hand-selected to be perfect with almost any fresh and vibrantly flavored springtime dish.

Braised Lamb Shanks recipe // Wine Pairing Ideas

Stout-Braised Lamb Recipe >

2012 Château D’Oupia ‘Les Hérétiques’, Languedoc, France, $11.99 
2010 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France, $14.99
2009 Frederic Mabileau ‘Les Rouilleres’, Loire Valley, France, $17.99

Roasted Chicken Wine Pairing ideas

Herb-Roasted Spring Chicken Recipe >

2012 Matua Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, $12.99
2012 William Hill Chardonnay, North Coast, California, $14.99
2012 K Vintners Viognier, Columbia Valley, Washington, $24.99

Garlic, Ramp, and Mushroom Flatbread recipe

Veggie Flatbread Recipe >

2011 Burgáns Albariño, Galicia, Spain, $12.99
2012 Château Les Valentines ‘La Caprice de Clementine’, Provence, France, $14.99
2013 Anton Bauer ‘Gmörk’ Grüner Veltliner, Wagram, Austria, $15.99

Cheers!
– Eric Taylor
Bottles General Manager

 

Corn is in Season! Pair it with Marsanne

White wine that pairs with corn
 
 

When it comes to summer barbecues, corn is quintessential. This classic vegetable is currently in season in Rhode Island, and will be through October. Usually, one never thinks about what wine pairs well with corn, which is not often the centerpiece of a meal. However, when it comes to corn being a major component, what do you do then? We have cut out all the guesswork, tasted a bunch of wines, and discovered that Paul Mas Marsanne goes very well with corn.

In Season Now: Corn

July – October

Sweet, juicy and versatile, corn is not only a staple of summer meals, but also of fall-time. When it gets cool enough to enjoy that bowl of corn chowder, try making some southern dishes as well, such as succotash or Johnny Cakes. Corn has many incarnations: on the cob, kernels, cereals and cornmeal.

 

Wine Pairing

Marsanne is a commonly found grape varietal in Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Côte du Rhône wines. A full-bodied white wine from the Rhone Valley, Marsanne can be found in both dry and sweet styles. This wine lacks the fruit and perfume, and so many times it is mixed with more aromatic grapes. The high alcohol, low acidity, and flavors of pear, spice and melon make it a great wine to pair with seafood, cheese, and of course, corn. Or simply relax and enjoy it on the porch!

Recommended Wine: Paul Mas Marsanne

– Aromas of dried fruits, pear, and violet with hints of vanilla.

– A rich, fresh, and mellow palate with a long finish of toasted notes makes this wine pair well with the sweetness of corn.

– 25% of the Marsanne is aged in oak barrels, and the other 75% is aged in stainless steel tanks.

– The Mas family has been making wines in the Languedoc region since 1892.


Visit our store to get this wine!

Discover more food and wine pairings. Click here >

 

 

 

Fava Beans Pair with Chablis (Chianti if you want, too…)

Have you eaten fresh fava beans recently? No? Well, you are missing out on a wonderfully sweet, tender, and versatile legume. Only the perfect bottle of wine can make a fava bean dish even better. In this case, we’re pairing Chablis with this newly in-season vegetable. Discover more food and wine pairings on our seasonal recipes page.

In Season Now: Fava Beans
June – September

While common sense tells us to avoid the culinary recommendations of cannibals, fava beans are actually a great summer ingredient! Fresh, earthy, creamy in texture, and sweet like peas, you can make a delicious risotto, sauce, or pilaf with fava beans. Split the pod, remove the beans, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, and cool immediately in an ice bath. Drain, and now they’re ready for a killer salad. A simple way to serve fava beans is tossed with extra-virgin olive oil, salted to taste, and topped with pecorino cheese.

Wine Pairing

Chablis from Chablis, France are some of the best Chardonnays there are. The term ‘Chablis’ has been  misused to refer to generic white wine, which is not what we’re talking about in this case. You should give real Chablis a try! Dry, steely, fruity, and super refreshing, Chablis is not your grandma’s buttery Chardonnay. Enjoyed with your favorite fava bean dish!

Or, just grab a bottle of nice Chianti…

Recommended Wine:
  • Domaine d’Elise Chablis is a white burgundy (100% Chardonnay grapes).
  • Wine has been made in the village of Chablis in Burgundy, France since the ninth century!
  • The limestone soils of Chablis give this wine a great minerality that matches the flavor of fava beans.

Rosé Wine Pairing with Peach Barbecue Ribs

bbq ribs recipe wine pairings
Photo by Chip Riegel

What wine is essential for summertime? Rosé! Right between a red and white wine, rosés are dry, and not sweet like White Zinfandel or Blush wines. Rosés have a light berry flavor, which comes from contact with the red grape skins during the winemaking process. But unlike a red wine, rosés are very crisp and full of pep, vigor, and light citrus flavors. They also happen to be great partners with food for your next party!

A perfect food and wine pairing we’ve had are BBQ ribs and rosé. Edible Rhody Magazine was kind enough to let us share with you a fantastic Peach Barbecue Ribs recipe. Written by Chef/Owner Nick Rabar of Avenue N American Kitchen in Rumford, Rhode Island, these ribs use a simple dry rub and a barbecue sauce to swoon over. Reward yourself for a job well done with a bottle of Mulderbosch Rosé!

mulderbosch rosé wine pairing

2012 MULDERBOSCH ROSÉ
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Mulderbosch has produced a rosé that’s both sturdy and seductive. The dark pink color lets you know you’re in for a seriously good treat. On the nose, expect blood orange, cherry and sandalwood. Look for bold flavors of ripe black cherries and herbs balanced by zesty acidity. This powerful rosé will love hanging out with you and your ribs.

Visit our store to get this wine
(Or, have it delivered to your door if you are located in Rhode Island!)

peach barbecue ribs recipe wine pairing
Photo by Chip Riegel
 

PEACH BARBECUE RIBS
Chef/owner Nick Rabar, Avenue N American Kitchen, Rumford

This is the perfect recipe for summer when my grill and smoker are cooking at full throttle. It makes an ample amount of the dry rub and sauce—which go well with chicken too. Feel free to halve the recipes or save the extra for more good stuff on the grill.

INGREDIENTS

3 racks lamb ribs or pork baby back ribs (approximately 6 pounds)
1½ cups dry rub*
2–3 cups peach barbecue sauce*

DIRECTIONS

Coat ribs with dry rub and let stand for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 325°. Place ribs in baking dish and bake for 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Heat grill to medium or prepare coals. Place ribs on grill, mopping with barbecue sauce until sauce has caramelized and ribs are tender and sizzling, being careful not to burn. Remove and serve with extra sauce. Serves 6.

Note: For smokier flavor, omit the oven step and prepare fire by banking coals to 1 side of the grill. Cook ribs wrapped in foil off the direct heat for two hours, adding coals as needed for a steady, even heat. (Or use top rack on a gas grill.) Finish over heat as directed above.

*Dry Rub
½ cup kosher salt
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon each chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, ground ginger, mustard powder
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped fine

*Peach Barbecue Sauce
3 strips bacon
1 Vidalia onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
2 quarts (8 cups) ketchup
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup brewed coffee
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons honey
3 dried chipotle chiles, ground in a spice mill or with mortar and pestle
2 cups peach juice or nectar

For the dry rub, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix, taking care to break up brown sugar. Store in container with tight lid.

For the barbecue sauce, sauté bacon in a 4-quart stockpot until fat is rendered, removing bacon and saving for another use. Add onions and continue to cook until caramelized. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer for 1 hour on low heat, stirring often. Makes 3 quarts. Can be made in advance. Refrigerate for 1 week or freeze up to 6 months.

 
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