Tag Archives: wine

Chameleons of the Sea

Seafood and rosé wine pairing! It’s a match made in heaven. You may have read our grilled tuna steak or swordfish kebab pairings, however, we have saved the best for last with this light & simple, yet slightly southern Pan Roasted Fluke & Fried Green Tomatoes with Jonah Crab-Chive Remoulade. Thank-you Edible Rhody Magazine for this fabulous recipe!

Brand new to the store, Bodegas Taron has been flying off our shelves and we are happy it is. Zesty, fruity, and earthy it is the perfect summer sipper for light seafood fare.

Fish Recipe & Rose Wine Pairing

Fluke
Found most commonly in the Mid-Atlantic from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Cape Fear, North Caroline, fluke (or Summer Flounder as they are also referred to) are left-eyed flatfish. Fluke are highly valued for their lean white meat and light, delicate flavor. As bottom feeders, they are able to change their coloring to blend in with the bottom of where they live, thus allowing them to be predators and to protect themselves from predators.

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Bodegas Taron
Bodegas Taron is the collaboration of four small towns in Rioja Alta, Spain who pooled their vineyards and generations of experience together in order to share what they do best with the world. Together with the know-how of the experienced and the spirit of the young, they have created a winery based on tradition and innovation, producing wines of outstanding quality.

50% Viura and 50% Garnacha, this pale pink rosado is smooth and light, with ripe fruit and floral aromas followed by a fresh crisp palate of ripe strawberry, offset by a subtle hint of earth. The perfect addition to the Pan Roasted Fluke for some added zippy acidity and subtle fruitiness.

Pan Roasted Fluke & Fried Green Tomatoes with Jonah Crab-Chive Remoulade

Executive Chef Karsten Hart, Castle Hill Inn & Resort, Newport

Fresh local seafood and vegetables from our Castle Hill Inn garden were the inspiration for this dish and, with it, a nod to my Louisiana heritage.

Jonah Crab–Chive Remoulade:
1 fresh farm egg yolk
½ teaspoon mustard
½ cup vegetable oil
½ clove garlic, finely minced
¼ cup minced celery
¼ cup minced red bell pepper
½ teaspoon fresh jalapeño or Serrano pepper, finely minced
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, plus additional for garnish
1 pound Jonah crab meat (or fresh lump crab meat)
Juice of 1 lemon

Fried Green Tomatoes:
2 fresh farm eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Kenyon’s jonnycake meal (or other white corn meal)
1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2 large green tomatoes, sliced ½ inch thick
Juice of 1 lemon

Fluke:
4 (6-ounce) fluke fillets (or flounder)
Freshly ground white pepper

In a stainless steel bowl, combine egg yolk and mustard. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle ½ cup vegetable oil into the egg mixture to form a mayonnaise (or substitute with your favorite mayonnaise). Once the mixture is fully emulsified, combine remaining remoulade ingredients. Adjust seasoning. Refrigerate.

For the tomatoes, whisk together eggs and buttermilk in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Dip tomato slices into liquid mixture first, then dredge in the flour mixture. Heat ½ cup vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 375°. Gently submerge tomatoes in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown. Place on a clean paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Keep warm.

Season both sides of fluke with salt and freshly ground white pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a sauté pan over high heat. Add fillets and sear both sides until golden brown and cooked through.

To serve, place 3 slices fried tomatoes on warm dinner plate. Place the fluke fillet on top of the fried tomatoes and cover the fish with the remoulade sauce. Garnish with fresh chives and enjoy! Serves 4 as a main course.

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.

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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

 

Learn How to Taste Wine Like a Pro!

How to Taste Wine

We all know how to drink wine, but do you know how the wine experts at Bottles taste a wine? Here’s a short video tutorial with the Bottles Wine Director, Nick Shugrue, that shows you how he does it.

The steps are simple, and they can help you quickly assess the aroma, color, flavors, and mouthfeel of a wine. Cheers and enjoy!

Want to learn more about wine? Subscribe to the Bottles YouTube channel>

Wine by Design: Tasting & Seminar at the RISD Museum!

This spring, the RISD Museum opened “Graphic Design: Now in Production” a large-scale exhibit that explores some of the most vibrant graphic design work produced in the past 10 years; including magazines, books, posters, branding and more. Last night we were able to host a magnificent wine tasting based on, what else, wine labels!

Guests tasted wine, discussed design and were also guided along a tour of the exhibit with curator Jan Howard. RISD Graphic Design Professor, Bethany Johns teamed up with Bottles’ wine rockstar, Eric Taylor selecting wines to taste based on their beautifully designed labels.  It was a wonderful evening all around! Check out our photos below!

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Top 9 Rosé Wines of the Summer!

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Summertime means one important thing at Bottles – it’s officially rosé season!

Rosés are perfection partnered with easy, warm-weather foods. Think BBQ or light salads with insanely fresh veggies.

Don’t confuse rosés with those sweet White Zins or Blush Wines. Rosés are actually made from red grapes.  They’re dry and not sweet. And, they have fantastic strawberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit flavors that come from the red grape skins.

For your go-to summer wine, you really can’t go wrong with peppy, lightly citrusy rosé. Everyone will obsess over them!

Here’s a honed down list of our favorite rosé wines of the season. For even more choices, swing by the store and we’ll help you find just the right one. Cheers, and happy rosé season from Bottles!

Bieler

Bieler Pere et Fils (rhymes with Feeler)
Coteaux d’Aix en Provence
The staff’s favorite rosé this season!  Light and crisp, with delicious mouth-watering flavors of raspberries, watermelon, and fresh herbs. $11.99

Charles+Charles

Charles and Charles Rosé
Washington
A heavier style rosé made with mostly Syrah.  Big, bold, dark fruit flavors like Bing Cherries and ripe strawberries.  A great pick with messy BBQ ribs or chicken. $11.99

LesDauphins

Les Dauphins Rosé
Côtes du Rhône, France
A stunning value for a classic and prestigious wine growing region.  Expect ripe summer fruit, backed up with rich, spicy, and peppery flavors that make it a perfect pairing with grilled hamburgers or lamb kabobs.  $11.99

AtoZ

A to Z Rosé
Oregon
A lush and creamy rosé with loads of personality.  Aromas of hibiscus and honeycomb with bright and spicy fruit flavors, like citrus and strawberries that finishes crisp and clean. $14.99

Gobelsburger

Gobelsburger Rosé
Austria
Beautiful, light salmon pink color that must be seen in your glass to be really appreciated.  Made from Zweigelt, a grape native to Austria, this is a bone dry rosé with an incredible amount of acidity that begs to be paired with BBQ ribs.  Yes, ribs. $16.99

Peyrassol

Commanderie de Peyrassol
Côtes de Provence
Classic and sophisticated rosé from the iconic Cotes de Provence region in Southeastern France.  This rosé has a pale rose color and has a lovely fruit blossom aroma, with flavors of wild strawberries and Herbs de Provence (thyme, sage, rosemary). $21.99

Orlana

Orlana Rosé
Portugal
The best rosé value of the Summer!  Light and breezy, this rosé has a very light fizz to it and is deliciously gulp-able.  Light in color, aroma and flavor, this wine demands to be alongside you at every casual gathering this summer. $8.99

RoseChinon

Domaine Sourdais Rosé
Chinon, France
This rosé is as engaging as it is delicious.  Made from Cabernet Franc, this is a bit heavier than most, with flavors of bright red berries, ruby red grapefruit, and a delicious minerality. $17.99

ChateauPradeau

Chateau Pradeaux Rosé
Bandol, France
Bandol (in the Southeast of France) may be the most serious region for rosé production in the world.  This exceptional wine is very complex, rich and full bodied – a special treat! $32.99

How to Open a Bottle of Wine – Once and For All!

wine bottle, open wine bottle, wine, corkscrew, shoe

Let’s be real…that ‘opening a wine bottle with a shoe‘ thing does not work. You’re just going to end up in the hospital with a hand full of broken glass and drippy Merlot everywhere. It’s time to get serious and open these bottles like the badass wine drinkers we are!

We’re using a corkscrew wine key. They’re inexpensive, durable, portable, easy to use, and won’t break the cork. Plus all the bartenders use them. Check out our quick 30-second tutorial video below and enjoy that bottle!

[su_youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvIHxrL9TO8&list=PLDAD77F5118BC8465″]

Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more wine tips, tutorials, and guides!

 

 

Stout-Braised Lamb Shanks with 3 Great Wines

Braised Lamb Shanks recipe // Wine Pairing Ideas

Spring is an exciting time of year for us! With the arrival of fresh and light wines, we always think of what foods would pair perfectly with each wine. Today, we’ve chosen three fantastic wines to match your spring Lamb dishes, like this Stout-Braised Lamb Shank recipe featured by Edible Rhody magazine. Look for our large in-store display of spring wines, and keep on scrolling down to find out more. Cheers, and happy spring!

Red Wine and Lamb Dish

Château D’Oupia ‘Les Heretiques’, 2012, Languedoc, France

Wonderfully clean and pure, with an exuberant personality and gobs of rich, peppery red and black fruit.  Made from a grape called Carignan from 40 year old vines in the south of France.  Goes great with fresh and clean lamb dishes where the flavor of the lamb is highlighted. $11.99

Lamb Wine Pairing

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, 2010, Rhone Valley, France

This wine is made by one of the most iconic wineries in the world and from one of the best vintages ever to come out of the Rhone Valley.  The Syrah and Grenache grapes give it a full body with rich and intense aromas of fresh red berries with a round smooth mouth feel.  Great with heavier lamb dishes with a flavorful sauce or gravy. $14.99

Wine that goes with lamb

Frederic Mabileau ‘Les Rouilleres’, 2009, Loire Valley, France

A fresh, fragrant and pure wine with very focused flavors of red cherry and berry with a lovely mineral fragrance.  Holding true to the varietal, 100% Cabernet Franc, there is an intriguing mineral and vegetal element (think sweet green bell peppers).  These beautiful and fresh organic flavors make it a perfect match with any lamb dish preparation, either simple and light or with a deeply flavored sauce. $17.99

 

Stout-Braised Lamb Shanks with Lemony Roasted Carrots and Potatoes

by Amy McCoy, PoorGirlGourmet.com

PRINT THIS RECIPE >

3 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium lamb shanks
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1 bottle Guinness stout
1 cup water
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 pound new potatoes, scrubbed and quarted
1 pound carrots, peeled, trimmed, sliced in half crosswise, then sliced in half lengthwise

In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Season lamb shanks with salt & pepper. Add to pan & sear each side until golden-brown, 5-7 minutes each side. Remove shanks and set aside.

Lower heat to medium. Add shallot and tablespoon fresh thyme. Sauté until shallot is translucent, 1-2 minutes. Add mustard and stir well.

Sprinkle flour over the mustard, then stir until all flour is absorbed. Slowly pour the stout into mustard-flour mixture, whisking to dissolve flour into liquid. Add 1 cup water.

Return shank to the pan & bring liquid to simmer. Cover & reduce heat to maintain gentle simmer. Turn shanks every 15 minutes, until lamb is falling off the bone, 1 1/2 hours. While shanks cook, prepare vegetables. Preheat oven to 400º.

In medium mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil and lemon juice and toss in potatoes and carrots. Add 1 teaspoon fresh thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange veggies in single layer on a lined, rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and are easily pierced with a fork, 40-45 minutes.

To serve, defat the lamb cooking liquid, divide potatoes and carrots between 2 shallow bowls and top with shanks, drizzle with gravy and sprinkle with lemon zest. Serves 2 as main course.

Top 10 Easter Wines Under $20

Top 10 Easter Wine picks

We love feasting holidays, and the arrival of spring also means Easter is on its way. Pairing wines for Easter is a treat for us, because rather than the heavier and richer wines that you’d have on Thanksgiving, wines that pair with a traditional Easter dinner are lighter and fresher. We’ve hand selected ten of our favorite wines that will pair with glazed ham, roasted lamb, fresh veggies and everything on the table.  Come in and look for more wines marked with orange flower tags, or ask any of our knowledgeable staff for assistance. We are here to help!

PRINTABLE EASTER WINE LIST >

easter wines

Botter Moscato
A little sweet, a little fizzy – great by itself or with light salads.  A perfect way to start off the day during Easter brunch.

Ca’ Furlan Prosecco
Our favorite inexpensive sparkling wine! This makes a mean Mimosa or Bellini, but it’s also great on its own.

Feudi di San Gregorio Lacryma Christi
This virile and powerful red from Campania translates to “Tears of Christ”.  We can’t think of a more appropriate wine for Easter, and it pairs really well with Lamb!

Mulderbosch Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon
Deeply colored, boldly flavored and mighty delicious, we really recommend this rosé as one of the best pairings with ham.

The Immortal Zinfandel
A really great Zin from vines that were planted in the 1880’s.  Big bold fruit with a bit of strawberry and cocoa.

Dr. Loosen Riesling
Perfect with ham and lighter dishes.  Not too sweet, but loaded with ripe peach and grapefruit.  Sophisticated and delicious!

Château de Segries Côtes du Rhone
A very well made, very elegant wine that will please any red wine drinker.  Pair with lamb or anything roasted.

Château Magneau Graves
A stunning Bordeaux that has both beautiful fruit flavors but also a pronounced mineral element that makes it the best pick for pairing with Lamb

Toad Hollow Chardonnay
Perfect for those that want to serve a Chardonnay but doesn’t want loads of oak and butter.  Crisp, clean and drinks just like an expensive French Burgundy.

Tintero ‘Grangia’
A tiny bit fizzy and very delicious.  Aromas and flavors of white flowers and ripe stone fruit.  Springtime in a bottle – pair with Easter Egg Hunts and anything you’d eat for lunch.

Cheers!
Eric Taylor
Bottles General Manager

 

Welcome Springtime with Local Scallops and a Bottle of Muscadet

Scallop and Wine Pairing

Winter is coming to an end and Spring is just around the corner. What better way to transition to the next season than with seared, fresh Sea Scallops gathered from Narragansett Bay? To enhance the mild flavor of the scallops, we recommend a bottle of Muscadet, a dry, bright, and minerally white wine. Down with the reds! Bring on the whites and rosés!

Scallops and Wine Pairing 

Sea Scallops

Found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, sea scallops are harvested anywhere from Newfoundland down to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Generally shiny and creamy white in color, scallops have a sweet, rich taste that is mild or briny. Don’t worry about a slight orange or pinkish tint when raw; it’s natural and won’t affect the flavor. High quality scallops have an ivory translucence to them and should keep their oval shaped structure.

  • The Local Catch provides fresh, available seafood at the Wintertime Farmers Market. Sea Scallops are there now!
  • For a list of wholesalers and local seafood farms check out this list at Farm Fresh.
  • For some of the best scallop recipes in New England, interviews from Nantucket scallop fishermen, shuckers, world-renowned chefs and history check out Scallops: A New England Coastal Cookbook.

Muscadet Wine

Domaine de la Pepière
Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie

Located in the far western portion of the Loire Valley, in France, wine grower Marc Ollivier makes some of the top Muscadets from the AOC Muscadet Sevre et Maine appellation. Hand-picked by Ollivier himself, this Muscadet is unique because of the use of natural yeasts. Taking longer to ferment, the wine is bottled later, but it is well worth it.

The Muscadet vines are grown in terroir that is thick with granite stones and debris, giving the wines a particularly lemon-tinged, mineral edge that makes it perfect for seafood. His Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie has beautiful, bright and energetic aromatics that are fruit forward and floral. The palate displays similar characteristics, with lots of pleasing texture and substance.

This Muscadet is a fantastic complement to this simple seared scallop recipe that only takes 10 minutes to prepare. We recommend enjoying this pairing on your veranda on a fresh spring day.

Sea Scallops Recipe

Sautéed Scallops with Garlic & Parsley 

Ingredients
1 lb Sea Scallops
2-3 tsp grapeseed oil or olive oil
2 large cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
A handful of Parsley, chopped
1 tsp unsalted butter
Fresh ground pepper
Juice from half a lemon
Sea Salt

Method of Preparation
1. In a bowl gently toss the scallops with the oil, garlic and parsley. For increased flavor, store in the refrigerator for some minutes before cooking.
2. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a sauté pan.
3. Once the butter starts to bubble, add the scallops, season with ground pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
4. Very carefully, turn over the scallops. After about 1 minute squeeze the lemon juice over top and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Once they have become opaque, stop cooking them!
5. Serve over salad greens and sprinkle with sea salt. Yields 4 servings. *Recipe by Savoring the Thyme

PRINT RECIPE CARD >

Looking for other spring food and wine pairings? Try Asparagus with Grüner Veltliner or Arugula with Sauvignon Blanc.

Cheers!
by Kim Vroegindewey