Monthly Archives: March 2014

Innocent Bystander Shiraz Pairing Recipe

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Marinated Sirloin with Gorgonzola Mashers

mashersINGREDIENTS:
• 1 to 1½ lb. sirloin steak sliced ¾ inch thick
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
• ¼ cup red wine (preferably Shiraz/ Syrah)
• 2 Tbsp. cracked black pepper

GORGONZOLA MASHERS:
• 3 to 4 large Russet potatoes
• 4 cloves sliced fresh garlic
• ¼ cup butter or margarine
• ½ cup milk
• 1/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• 2 tsp. Salt
• 2 tsp. Cracked pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Marinated Sirloin:
Combine marinade ingredients with sliced steak in large sealable plastic bag. Seal and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Preferably overnight. Remove steak from marinade and discard remaining sauce. Broil 3 to 5 minutes per side until desired doneness.

Gorgonzola Mashers:
Slice potatoes into ½ inch wedges, leaving skins on. In a large pot combine 2 quarts water, sliced garlic, and sliced potatoes, boiling on high for 25 minutes. Strain water and add butter and milk. Mash with a potato masher until milk and butter are incorporated and mixture has a slightly chunky texture. Add salt, pepper, and Gorgonzola, stirring with a wooden spoon until incorporated. Serve with mixed baby greens and balsamic vinaigrette. Recipe compliments of Gallo.com

InnocentBystander_ShirazInnocent BystanderBold_sticker
Shiraz
Yarra Valley, Australia

Winemaking is carried out in the Sexton’s artisanal winery, a facility designed for hand-crafting small, individual batches of wine. Taking advantage of the broad palate of flavors available to them, the Innocent Bystander team uses a combination of winemaking skill and intuition to blend a consistent range of wines offering unique personality and definitive regional expression. Beyond the pristine fruit of the Yarra Valley, Phil Sexton discovered numerous Central Victorian vineyards that inspired the Innocent Bystander range. The fruit for this vintage of Shiraz comes from the Forest Hut Vinyeard in the Pyrenees and Yarra Valley’s Miller, Tarraford and Sexton Vineyards.

Winemaker: Phil Sexton
Appellation: Yarra Valley, Australia
Varietal Blend:  99% Syrah, 1% Viognier
Analysis: 13.7% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim: 89 pts Stephen Tanzers Int’l Wine Cellar
87 pts Wine Spectator

Phil B&W“Aromas of five spice, campari, orange zest and juniper berries are supported by flavors of wild blackberries and raspberries and dark chocolate notes. The firm, bright tannins and brooding texture balance and carry the fruit through a long, savory finish.” – Phil Sexton, winemaker

McPherson Chardonnay Pairing Recipe

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Black Cod with Black Olive Sauce and Lemon Gremolata

olivesauce-cod-fishINGREDIENTS:

  • Zest of 2 lemons (and juiced)
  • A sprig of fresh rosemary, leaves picked
  • Four Black Cod fillets (4-6 oz each)
  • Olive oil

BLACK OLIVE SAUCE:

  • 2 large handfuls of good black olives, stoned and very roughly chopped
  • ½ a fresh red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
  •  A small handful of fresh herbs (basil, marjoram and parsley), finely chopped
  • 1 celery heart, yellow leaves chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  •  A couple of glugs of extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar

LEMON GREMOLATA:

  • 1 bunch Italian (flat-leaf) parsley-chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare Grill. Blend tablespoon of salt with the half of lemon zest and rosemary and rub this all over the fish fillets. Chill for an hour.

Black Olive Sauce- Mix all the ingredients except the vinegar together. Add vinegar to taste.

Lemon Gremolata – With remaining lemon zest, combine with all ingredients.

Pat the fish dry with some kitchen paper, wiping off the excess salt and then pat it with a little olive oil. Grill over medium coals for about 3 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. Serve the Cod on the Black Olive Sauce and garnish with Gremolata. Recipe courtesy of McPherson Winery.

MCF_Chard_smallMcPhersonSilky_Sticker
Chardonnay
South Eastern Australia

With a focus on traditional winemaking craftwork and state-of-the-art technology, McPherson wines are made to be easy-drinking, fruit driven styles with generous mouth-filling flavors. For almost 40 years the McPherson family have been committed to producing high quality wines with an affordable value. This wine was crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, sourced primarily from vineyards in the Murray Darling region, located within South Eastern Australia. Grapes were picked and crushed during the cool of night so as to retain their fresh, varietal flavors. A delightful, fruit driven wine displaying aromas of tropical fruits and peaches with just a hint of lightly toasted oak. McPherson Chardonnay is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods. Try with roast chicken and grilled fish.

Winemaker: Jo NashJo-Nash
Appellation: South Eastern Australia
Varietal Blend:  100% Chardonnay
Analysis: 13.5% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim: Victoria Wine Show 2012

“The palate exhibits fresh, ripe Chardonnay flavors of melon and fig with a delicate, creamy texture and a crisp, clean finish. Subtle oak handling complements, rather than overpowers the wine”.

Moonstruck Shiraz pairing recipe

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grilledsteakGrilled Steak Salad with Pesto & Crostini

INGREDIENTS:
•  Olive oil
•  2 slices of ciabatta bread
•  Flank Steak (12-16oz)
•  Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
•  5-6 oz. mixed salad leaves
•  1 Tbsp dried oregano
•  2 Tbsps of green pesto
•  Juice of 1 lemon
•  1 clove of garlic cut in half
•  A sprig of fresh rosemary leaves picked and chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Lay the steak on a chopping board and rub with a little olive oil. Season and sprinkle with the rosemary and oregano. Cover with grease-proof paper and pound lightly with a rolling-pin or the bottom of a saucepan until the steaks are slightly flattened out and the herbs and seasoning are nicely pressed into the meat.

Put a large griddle pan on a high heat and, as it’s heating up, toast the ciabatta on both sides. Keep the toast warm. Shake any crumbs out of the griddle pan, then return to the heat and lay the steaks in it, side by side. Cook for about 8 minutes, turning every minute, for a medium steak, or a little longer if you like your meat more cooked. Lift the steaks out of the pan and let them rest in a warm place.

Spoon a tablespoon of pesto on to each of two warm plates and smear out across the plate with the back of the spoon. Place a steak on each plate and pour any resting juices over the top.

Rub the toasted ciabatta with the garlic, drizzle with a little olive oil and put a piece on top of each steak.

In a mixing bowl, toss the salad leaves with the lemon juice, a lug (approx. one tablespoon) of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Divide the salad between the plates and serve.   Serves 2.   Recipe compliments of Jamie Oliver.

Moon-Struck-shiraz_smallMoonstruckmellow
Shiraz
Central Victoria, Australia

Fruit for the Moonstruck Shiraz was harvested from select vineyard sites within Central Victoria, Australia. The highly anticipated 2012 vintage has produced some excellent wines with beautiful balance and length of flavor. The harvest was short and fast with whites and reds ripening early in the season, and good Autumnal weather to follow. The resulting wine is ripe, complex and wonderfully rich and brooding, due to the distinct Shiraz parcels of fruit. Overall, the quality is remarkable and the resulting wines will live on for many years to come. Enjoy this wine on its own or with rustic tomato based pasta, charcuterie or steak.

Winemaker: Jo Nash
Appellation: Central Victoria, Australia
Varietal Blend:  86% Shiraz, 14% Tempranillo
Analysis: 14% alc/vol
Jo-NashCritical Acclaim:  Gold Medal 2013 New Zealand Int’l Wine Show
Silver Medal 2013 Royal Queensland Wine Show
Silver Medal 2013 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

“Rich, with elegant and chalky tannins, this wine is a lovely blend of blackberry and pepper with a hint of savory fruit and wonderful length. With well integrated French oak complimenting the spicy palate, this is an enticing wine to be enjoyed with food.” – Jo Nash, winemaker

The Carnelian Project: Pairing Recipe

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Braised Beef Ribs with Caramelized Sauce
Braised_Beef_small

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 to 4 pounds beef ribs cut into individual ribs
• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tsp dry mustard
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 2 Tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

Heat ribs and 2 cloves of garlic in large, heavy pot; with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Let simmer 1 hour, remove from heat, and drain.

Mix ketchup, vinegar, mustard, 2 cloves chopped garlic, molasses, and salt in a small saucepan; heat to boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.  Grill braised ribs 10 to 12 minutes, turning and brushing with sauce until glazed.

AWD_Carn_Project_smallThe Carnelian Project
mellow Red Blend
Paso Robles, CA

“Vast hues on an expansive terrain of ochres and earthy reds, with a nose of perfume and crushed rose petal oil surrounding sweet spices. Fresh strawberries on the palate with a suggestion of oak. Dark cherry fruits linger across taste buds.” – Douglas Danielak, winemaker

Winemaker: Douglas Danielak
Appellation: Paso Robles, CAwinemaker-Douglas
Varietal Blend:  34% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre, 18% Grenache, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Counoise
Analysis: 14.5% alc/vol