Tag Archives: food

Wine Pairings for Striped Bass Season in Rhode Island

food and wine pairing idea striped bass albarino

It’s striper season in Rhode Island! You might have read our previous posts featuring food and wine pairings as they come into season in little Rhody. This week, we’re all about this mouth-watering combination: Striped Bass paired with Albariño, a white wine from Spain.

In Season Now
June – September

Striped Bass is a classic Ocean State food, and the Rhode Island state fish! Now is the season for catching your striper in the Narragansett Bay. Not a fisherman, or just unlucky? Pick up a few filets from local  fishermen such as The Local Catch at your farmer’s market. The Local Catch also has a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) program, sign up today!

Mild and sweet, light and flaky, Striped Bass tastes great cooked right on the grill, or pan-seared (in filet form!). Just add your favorite fresh herbs, lemon, olive oil or butter, and season to taste for the perfect Rhody summertime dish.

Read Edible Rhody Magazine’s simple Grilled Striped Bass recipe or Striped Bass with Tomato Basil Relish and Sweet Corn Purée recipe.

Wine Pairing

Albariño is a native grape of the Ríaz Baixas (pronounced “ree-ass by-shuss”) region on the Galician Coast of Spain. White wines from this region are delicate, lively, and aromatic. Ríaz Baixas is also a region with an ancient, pre-Columbian history of fishing and seafood. If it grows together, it goes together, so enjoy this fantastic wine with striped bass this summer!

Recommended Wine: Santiago Ruiz

Photo: Santiago Ruiz
  • History of the label: Santiago Ruiz’s daughter, Isabel, was celebrating her wedding at the winery house, and drew a little map to help guests find their way. Santiago saw it, added his handwritten text, and chose it to be the label for his wine.
  • Upon retiring at the age of 70, Santiago Ruiz dedicated himself to his true vocation and followed in the winemaking tradition of his ancestors. His maternal grandfather was one of the first to produce and bottle wines in Galicia in 1898.
  • Read more about Santiago Ruiz at www.bodegasantiagoruiz.com
Visit our store to get this wine
 

A Visit to Allens Farms in Westport with Darius

Know your local farmer! Wine and food are natural partners, and so what better way to enjoy the best of both by choosing local, fresh, and seasonal foods?

We  love enjoying seasonally appropriate wines (rosé sangria in summer! big reds in the winter!), and so eating seasonally makes a lot of sense, too. Your food will taste fresher, be full of flavor, and you will be supporting your local farmer. Buy produce directly from local farms if they have a Community Supported Agriculture service, go to farmer’s markets, or look for local producers in grocery stores. CSA programs allow you buy a share of a nearby farm, where you receive regular baskets of super-fresh produce.

With this sentiment in mind, we’ve decided to start featuring local farmers, and thus our visit to Allens Farms and The March Hare with Darius Salko. Only a short drive down I-195 will bring you to idyllic Westport, MA, where you will find a plethora of farms, breweries, and vineyards just across the bay. This is where Debra Barrett started her 50-acre, certified organic farm in 1987.  You can find their potted herbs, vegetables, flowers, and other farm-fresh produce at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, and their CSA program.

If you start following this blog, you’ll be in touch with our regular feature of wine pairings with foods that are coming into season. Thank-you Darius for the fantastic radishes, arugula and pea greens!

( Keep scrolling for our photo journey! )
allens farm westport ma
Darius and Nick (the Bottles Wine Director) checking out some seedlings.
Darius Salko
Darius showing us around the farm!
rhode island massachusetts organic farms
Baby lettuce & greens.
Nick enjoying the intoxicating smell of green garlic.
Pea greens in the field; eat them as a salad, or make a pesto!
Green garlic tops!
Darius, Deb, & Danielle in front of a greenhouse full of mustard and kale plants in seed.

Seasonal Rhode Island Food & Wine Pairings: Asparagus & Grüner Veltliner

Trying to match food and wine can sometimes grow into a complicated, out-of-control beast. Let’s pare it down. An easy way to start is to choose an ingredient that is in season, and then pick a complementary wine. As a wine store located in Providence, we tend to share Rhode Island farm (and ocean!) fresh foods as they come into season, and then give you our vote for the best wine pairing. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a handy online resource for fresh, local foods.

In Season Now
April – June

Asparagus is one of the earliest native vegetables to look forward to in Rhode Island. A type of young green shoot, asparagus is a versatile early spring to summer side-dish and ingredient. Roast it in a pan, throw it on the grill with olive oil and salt and pepper, or use it in soups, omelets, or chopped up fresh in a salad!

Wine Pairing

Grüner Veltliner is crisp, dry, and Austria’s #1 white wine. Where most white wines fail when matched with green vegetables, Grüner always wins. There is most likely an in-depth scientific reason for why Grüner Veltliner tastes so good with bitter vegetables like asparagus, but all we know is that it’s a fantastic combination of mineral flavors mingled with the taste of pure springtime.

Recommended Wine:
Gobelsburger Grüner Veltliner

  • The Gobelsburger vineyards and winemaking have been tended to by monks since 1171.
  • A high quality Grüner Veltliner at an affordable price!
  • More about this wine at www.gobelsburg.at

Visit our store to get this wine!

 

Italian Food & Wine Pairing: Emilia-Romagna & Pork Tenderloin

 
As part of our in-store wine display, we are featuring regions of Italy by pairing yummy recipes with matching wines. Keep reading to learn about the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and some wines that pair with the Wood-Grilled Pork Tenderloin dish. A big thank-you to Edible Rhody for providing Italian recipes from local chefs from around Rhode Island.
wine map emilia romagna
 
EMILIA ROMAGNA
Emilia-Romagna’s location in Italy allows for an enormous diversity and abundance of cuisine.  From the coastal areas that are famous for its eels and clams, to the interior that is known for its wild game and pork based foods like Prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella from Bologna.  This pork recipe includes traditional ingredients from Emilia-Romagna like Crimini mushrooms, and aged Balsamic Vinegar from Modena.
WINE RECOMMENDATIONS

2011 Tre Monti Albana Secco White

If you prefer white with pork, this is a perfect match!  Albana is a full-bodied white with mouthfilling flavors of ripe peach and plum. It has a delicious savory bitter almond element on the finish that balances out the intense, luxurious fruit.  A great match with charred flavors with the pork and the savory, earthy flavors of the crimini mushrooms.
2011 Tre Monti Campo di Mezzo Sangiovese Superiore
The elegant and straightforward style of this Sangiovese pairs well with the rich flavors of the grilled pork and won’t overpower the flavor of the fine olive oil and fresh cherry tomatoes. Look for aromas of crisp dark fruits and red flowers with flavors of richly flavored dark cherries and baking spices.

*Tre Monti wines were also featured on Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservations.’

 

Photo by Edible Rhody


WOOD-GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN

over Shaved Mushroom Crudo with Aceto Balsamico di Modena
Chef/Owner Brian Kingsford, Bacaro, Providence
After the long cold winter, the freshness of the raw mushrooms with their earthiness is gently kissed by the oil of sun-drenched olives—a perfect marriage for the first charcoal fire of the season.
3 pounds fresh pork tenderloin
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup virgin olive oil (Sclafani, Bertolli, Filippo Berio, etc.)
Kosher salt and fresh-cracked black pepper to taste
1 pound Crimini mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
Estate-grown olive oil (Capezzana, Regaleali, Olio Verde, etc.) as needed
Mediterranean sea salt (small grind) as needed
Pinch of chopped fresh rosemary
Aged balsamic vinegar (Aceto Balsamico di Modena) as needed
Cherry tomatoes, sliced (optional)
Place the pork in a single layer in a deep, nonreactive baking dish. Mix the lemon juice with the ½ cup olive oil and a pinch to ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Pour the liquid over the pork and marinate for 2–3 hours.
Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-hot. Season the pork with kosher salt and pepper and place it on the grill, being cautious of flare-ups. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to a rack suspended over a plate to collect drippings; cover loosely with foil and rest in a warm place for about 5 minutes. (For medium doneness, the internal temperature should reach 150° after resting.)
Meanwhile, drizzle the mushrooms with the estate-grown olive oil and a touch of sea salt. Slice the pork ¼ inch thick across the grain and fan the slices over the mushrooms. Pour the pork drippings over the meat and sprinkle on the rosemary and additional sea salt to taste. Drizzle with estate-grown olive oil and vinegar. Garnish with cherry tomatoes if desired. Serve with a salad of fresh organic mixed greens with a touch of lemon and olive oil.
Serves 4 to 6. 

Thanksgiving Wine & Drink Pairing Guide

Thanksgiving pairing recommendations from the experts at Bottles are here!! From craft beer, to specialty cocktails, and to finding just the right wine for each occasion, we’ve got you covered! Watch these 4 videos: Pre-Dinner Drinks, Appetizer Pairings, Dinner Pairings and Dessert Pairings, and then scroll down for a list of the best Thanksgiving pairings and different kinds of red and white wines that work with Thanksgiving dinner.  Bottles is a wine store located in Providence, Rhode Island, so if you’re in the area, visit us!

Click below to watch all 4 videos

Pre-Dinner Drinks

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’ve come up with suggestions for pre-dinner, football game time drinks and cocktails to have on hand.
Full Sail’s Sessions Lagers
Only $14.99 for a 12-pack, these are low in alcohol and high in flavor
Mayflower Brewing’s Thanksgiving Ale
Perfect for the craft beer enthusiast in your family, nothing else says Thanksgiving like this beer
Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs
Looking for something bubbly? This sparkling wine is a great pre-dinner drink that everyone will love.
Boulevardier Cocktail
Similar to a Negroni, this easy & classic cocktail has Bourbon, Campari, and Sweet Vermouth


Appetizer Pairings

What wine do you serve with appetizers? Find out what Joanna’s picks are.
Beaujolais Rosé
A great wine for pairing with fruit plates
Picquepoul
A nice French white wine that is crisp and delicate, pairing perfectly with cheese platters and savory vegetable dishes
Cranberry Cobbler Punch
An easy punch you can me before-hand; combine Gin, cranberry juice, Rose’s Lime Juice and Cranberry Bitters



Thanksgiving Dinner Pairings

When Thanksgiving dinner is ready, you’ll want wines that go well with everything on the table.
Pinot Blanc
A white wine that lends itself wonderfully with turkey, yams and herb stuffing; round and rich, Chardonnay fans will love it!
Anton Bauer Pinot Noir
People always reach for the Pinot Noir; Try this elegant Pinot Noir that is rich & velvety, but not too heavy.
Secateurs Cotes du Rhone
A red blend that is incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairing; it will show off everything on your Thanksgiving table!


Dessert Pairings

Eric talks about what to drink after dinner, as you are relaxing with friends and family, and enjoying Thanksgiving dessert.
Tawny Port
Perfect with traditional Thanksgiving desserts like pecan pie, this port is medium-dry and on the lighter side.
White Dessert Wine
Just a little bit sweet with honey and fruit flavors; serve cold or room temperature with fruit and cheese.
Bailey’s
Serve it with coffee!
Amaro Montenegro
A digestif from Italy, herbascious & slightly sweet, serve this with a lemon twist to settle those stomachs!
Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
Scotch aged in Sauternes casks that gives it a honey, slightly fruity flavor that is wonderful with desserts