Category Archives: Recipes

Coffee Rubbed Skirt Steak

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Fire up the Grill!
Great recipe to pair with the Big Game and Chapter Three Shiraz!

Coffee-Skirt-SteakINGREDIENTS:
•  2 lbs. skirt steak
•  2 tablespoons ground coffee beans
•  2 tablespoons ground black pepper
•  1 ¼ tablespoon sea salt
•  1 tablespoon smoked paprika
•  ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Mixed all dry ingredients and rub Steak both sides.   Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Prepare grill (preferable charcoal) and grill steaks two-three minutes per side on high heat.

Let rest 5 minutes.  Cut across grain and serve with a glass of Chapter Three Shiraz.  Serves 4
Recipe compliments of Epic Wines.

Bold_stickerChapter-3-ShirazMcPherson
Chapter Three Shiraz
Central Victoria, Australia

This is the third range to be released into the McPherson portfolio and has been created with the finest attention paid to viticultural practices and winemaking techniques to achieve wines of perfect harmony, great style and superb quality.  Fruit was harvested from 15-year-old vines in exceptional vineyard sites on top of the Strathbogie Ranges.The vineyards are situated on granitic sand and rock, which give the wine notable terroir.  Smooth, complex and elegant, this medium bodied, cool climate red evolves with stunning aromas of ripe sweet berries coupled with a floral, violet – like perfume and smoky, chocolate suggestions. The perfect accompaniment to fillet steak or venison – or for something a little different try it with some chocolate cake.

“Harmoniously balanced with brooding fruits and carefully integrated French oak, this wine offers intense blackberries and dark plums with a lingering spicy finish. Possessing an eternal palate of richness and spice, it is irresistible now, and will richly reward those who offer it time.”- Jo Nash, winemaker

Jo-Nash

Jo Nash, winemaker

Winemaker: Jo Nash
Appellation: Central Victoria, Australia
Varietal Blend:  95% Shiraz, 5% Viognier
Analysis: 14.0% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim: 5 Stars Central & Western Victoria Wine State National 2014; Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards UK 2013; Gold Medal Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit 2013

Chicken and Dumplings with Mushrooms

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chicken-dumplings-chardonnayCHICKEN STEW INGREDIENTS:
•  6 oz slab bacon, cut into ½ pieces
•  ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 chicken legs (drumsticks with thighs; about 2 lbs.)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•  1 ¼ pound mixed mushrooms
•  1 medium onion, chopped
•  6 cloves garlic crushed
•  ½ cup dry white wine
•  6 sprigs thyme
•  2 bay leaves
•  8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

DIRECTIONS: Crisp bacon in large Dutch oven over medium heat; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.  Place flour in a shallow bowl.   Season chicken with salt and pepper and dredge in flour.  Working in batches, cook chicken, skin side down, in the same pot over medium heat until deep golden brown and crisp (do not turn), 12-15 minutes. Transfer to plate.

Working in two batches, cook mushrooms in the same pot, seasoning with salt and pepper and stirring occasionally, until brown, 5-8 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl. Add onion and garlic to pot: cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, 5-8 minutes.

Add wine to pot; simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.  Add chicken, bacon, thyme, bay leaves and broth; season with salt and pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and gently simmer, partially covered, skimming occasionally, until chicken falls off the bone, 2 -2 ¼ hours.  Add mushrooms and simmer until flavors meld, 10-15 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

DUMPLING INGREDIENTS:
•  ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
•  1 cup all-purpose flour
•  ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
•  1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•  2 large eggs
•  ½ cup whole milk

DUMPLING & ASSEMBLY:
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.  Whisk flour, baking powder, nutmeg, pepper, and ¾ tsp. salt in a medium bowl.  Whisk in eggs and milk (batter will be slightly lumpy). Reduce heat until water is a strong simmer. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter into water; cook until dumplings are cooked through and doubled in size, about 5 minutes.  Remove with slotted spoon; add to stew just before serving. Servings: 6

Stew (without dumplings) can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.  Recipe courtesy of Bon Appẻtit, February 2014 issue.

Basilisk-ChardonnaySilky_StickerMcPherson
Basilisk Chardonnay
Central Victoria, Australia

The fruit for the Basilisk Chardonnay was sourced from the Goulburn Valley on the vineyards neighboring the winery. This region has long, warm sunny days and mild evening temperatures which are perfect for the growing of good quality Chardonnay. The grapes were harvested during the cool of the night to maintain fruit freshness and gently pressed to minimise phenolic characters. A rich and textual wine displaying lovely aromas of tropical fruits with a hint of apple and spice. The palate is mouth-filling and generous with excellent length and harmony carrying the fruit to a full clean finish. A marvellous wine match with any meal and is best served slightly chilled to allow the full texture of the wine to flourish.

Jo-Nash

Jo Nash, winemaker

“A rich, full bodied Chardonnay that is best enjoyed with foods such as roast chicken, rich seafood or roasted duck. This wine is great all-round and will complement most styles of cuisine.” – Jo Nash, winemaker

Winemaker: Jo Nash
Appellation: Central Victoria, Australia
Varietal:  100% Chardonnay
Analysis: 13.0% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim: 89 pts James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2015

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shank

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Moroccan-spiced-lambINGREDIENTS:
•  3-4 lbs. lamb shanks
•  1 tsp salt
•  1 tsp black pepper
•  1 tsp cumin
•  1 tsp cinnamon
•  1 tsp paprika
•  1 pound carrots (chopped into pieces)
•  2 garlic cloves
•  bunch cilantro
•  ¼  cup dried cherries

DIRECTIONS:
Mix spices together and rub on shanks (salt, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, paprika).

Chop tomatoes, garlic and cilantro stems.  In a 2 quart Dutch Oven, add carrots, garlic, cilantro, dried cherries and shanks.  Add ½ cup water and bring to a boil.   Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook for 2 to 2 ½ hours.

Garnish with Cilantro leaves and serve with Cous Cous.  Recipe compliments of Epic Wines.

Basilisk-Shiraz-MourvedreBold_stickerMcPherson Basilisk
Shiraz Mourvedre
Central Victoria, Australia

An enchanting combination of serpent and rooster, the Basilisk is a creature of folklore whose name and legend have inspired the creation of our premium wine range.  This enigmatic blend of two creatures’ parallels McPherson’s concept of uniquely styled wines, each individually crafted by combining exceptional parcels of fruit with passionately applied winemaking techniques to create a wine true to its variety and regional origin.   Rich, with elegant and supple tannins, this Rhone inspired wine is an enigmatic blend of cool-climate spicy Shiraz combined with mild climate full-bodied Shiraz, finely tempered by the savory tannins of Mourvedre.  The Basilisk Shiraz Mourvedre is a wonderful partner to rich red meat dishes and pastas, and for those who are a little more daring why not try it with dark chocolate.

“This delicious, exciting and harmonious wine exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, pepper and spice combined with the elegant integration of French oak.  Rich dark berry fruit flavors are abundant on the palate with underlying savory notes such as leather and spice.” – Jo Nash, winemaker

Jo-Nash

Jo Nash, winemaker

Winemaker: Jo Nash
Appellation: Central Victoria, Australia
Varietal Blend:  95% Shiraz, 5% Mourvedre
Analysis: 14.5% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim:
89 pts James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2015
Silver Medal Royal Sydney Wine Show 2014
Silver Medal Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit 2013
85 pts eRobertParker.com 2013

New York Strip with Miso Butter and Roasted Asparagus

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Cabernet and steak are almost synonymous with one another. This Paso Robles Cabernet has a nice freshness to it and the layered fruit and spice will make it a good accompaniment to a little Asian flare.

NewYork-strip-steak-recipeINGREDIENTS:

•  2  (12 ounce) New York Strip steaks
•  5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
•  5 sprigs green onion
•  2 tablespoons red miso paste
•  2 tablespoons minced ginger
•  1 tablespoon soy sauce    (or to taste)
•  2 teaspoons sesame oil
•  2 tablespoons white wine or   sake
•  1 bunch asparagus
•  Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Pre-heat oven to 375̊°F degrees.   In a mixing bowl, lightly mix butter, about 3 sprigs chopped green onion, ginger, miso paste, and soy sauce. Place miso butter aside.

Place asparagus in baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle salt & pepper to taste. Roast in the oven until desired doneness.

Sprinkle both sides of the New York Strip with salt and pepper to taste. Heat sesame oil over high heat in a skillet, cook to desired temperature. Transfer steak to plate. Add miso butter to the skillet and add in sake or white wine, let the mixture reduce and thicken (about 2 minutes). Let it stand for 5 minutes before plating over asparagus and top with a sprig of green onion.   Recipe courtesy of Wine Trees.

CosteroBay_BottleShotBold_stickerCOSTERO BAY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
PASO ROBLES, CA

Costero translates to coastal, a perfect name for a wine sourced just off the central coast of California.  Costero Bay pays homage to the distinguished wine regions that line the coastline of California, areas like Paso Robles and Monterey. Cabernet Sauvignon has become widely planted in this area as it thrives in growing conditions that allow for cool mornings and evenings and long warm, sometimes even hot days.  Paso Robles is the largest AVA in San Luis Obispo county. Soils feature a mixture of both calcerous and siliceous rocky soils, creating structured, dense styles of Cabernet Sauvignon. The growing season was long and dry, producing small berries amply concentrated with juice.  A warm September allowed for grapes to fully ripen and winemakers were blessed with fairly perfect conditions for harvest.

 Douglas-Danielak-winemakerDOUGLAS DANIELAK, WINEMAKER

“A robust, plush style of Cab with notes of macerate blackberry, plum and currant.  A soft finish with ample fruit and subtle hints of spice make for a great accompaniment to roasts, hearty stews and aged cheeses.”

VARIETAL: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
APPELLATION: Paso Robles, California
ANALYSIS: 13.9% alc/vol

FEATURED WINE CLUB WINE: January 2015

Crab Cakes with Curry Aioli

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Sauvignon Blanc is a great pairing for seafood, but because it is still cold outside, we wanted something comforting that could easily be whipped up during the work week. The curry aioli adds a nice heat element to this dish and highlights the brightness of this wine.

crab-cakes-recipeINGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon Madras curry powder
•  ¾ cup mayonnaise
•  2 tablespoons crème fraiche
•  2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
•  1 tablespoon snipped chives
•  1 tablespoon minced parsley
•  1 tablespoon minced tarragon
•  1 cup panko bread crumbs
•  1 pound lump crab
•  ½ cup canola oil
•  1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar
•  Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl, whisk ½ cup of the mayonnaise with ¼ teaspoon Madras curry powder. Let chill.

In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining mayonnaise with crème fraiche, lemon juice, chives, parsley, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in the crab, form into 4 patties and coat with the panko. Transfer crab cakes to a lightly oiled baking sheet and let chill.

Preheat the broiler and position a rack 8 inches from the heat. Drizzle the crab cakes with 2 tablespoons of oil and broil for about 12 minutes or until golden and crisp (ok to turn once). Transfer to plates and drizzle with curry aioli.  Add a lightly dressed arugula salad if desired.   Recipe courtesy of Food & Wine magazine.

Limited_SB13_BottleshotSilky_StickerLIMITED CAMBRIDGE CELLARS
SAUVIGNON BLANC
DRY CREEK VALLEY, CA

Cambridge Cellars strives to produce wines that embody the designations from where they are grown. Their  “LIMITED” wines represent those rare, exception lots from distinguished appellations throughout California’s wine country.  Dry Creek Valley is anchored in by two distinct areas of water – Lake Sonoma to the north and the Russian River to the south.  Sauvignon Blanc is the standout white varietal as it thrives in moderate conditions that are neither too cool nor too warm. Dry Creek is blessed with a steady fog in the morning coming in from the San Francisco Bay and by afternoon temperatures are warm and dry, allowing the Sauvignon Blanc grape to reach maximum potential.

Douglas-Danielak-winemakerDOUGLAS DANIELAK, WINEMAKER

“Our Limited is a beautiful example of crisp, ripe and fresh Sauvignon Blanc. Bright fruit notes of pink grapefruit, peach and apple open on the palate, with vibrant acidity and a rich mouth-feel through the finish. ”

 VARIETAL: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, California
ANALYSIS: 13.2% alc/volume

FEATURED WINE CLUB WINE: January 2015

Orange and Spiced Glazed Pork Belly

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We like to keep the holiday spirit going well into winter. This recipe is comforting, warm and rich in spices and flavor. Napa Valley Syrah is dense, bold and full of character and it requires a dish with power to stand up to the complexity and strength. We like this recipe because it makes for a great shared Sunday dinner with family and friends.

glazed-pork-bellyINGREDIENTS:

•  2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground
•  1 tablespoon black pepper
•  ½ cup coarse salt
•  ½ light brown sugar
•  1 (3 pound) pork belly
•  Zest 1 orange
•  1 ¼ cups fresh squeezed orange    juice
•  2 sticks cinnamon
•  1/3 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
•  2 cups chicken stock

DIRECTIONS:

In a small skillet over medium heat, toast cumin seeds. Remove from skillet and finely grind. Transfer to mixing bowl and add black pepper, salt and sugar. Remove two tablespoons of the mixture and set aside for the glaze.

Rub remaining spice mixture all over the pork belly. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours.

In a small sauce pan, combine the reserve spice mix, orange zest, ¼ cup OJ, cinnamon sticks and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside (takes about 5 min).

Preheat oven to 300°F. Remove pork belly from refrigerator and rinse off spice mixture; pat dry with paper towels. Add remaining  1 cup  OJ and chicken stock to roasting pan. Place over medium-high heat and cook until liquid comes to a simmer. Add pork, fat side up, to roasting pan. Transfer to the oven and cook until meat is tender (about 2-2 ½ hours).

Increase oven temperate to 425°F.  Cook pork belly until skin is brown and crisp. Baste with reserve glaze every 10 minutes.    Remove pork from roasting pan and transfer to cutting board; let it stand for 10 min before slicing.   Recipe inspired by Martha Stewart.

TierraYMar_BottleBold_stickerTierra y Mar Syrah
Page-Nord Vineyard
Napa Valley, California

Tierra y Mar translates to Earth and Sea, a nod to the special relationship between land and water.  At Tierra y Mar, they produce wines that are the ultimate expression of nature’s balance and harmony, allowing the wines to speak for themselves as they are the unique creation of the grape, soil, water and climate of where they are grown.

This Syrah is produced from vineyards in select parts of Napa Valley. Soils are predominately gravelly silt loams, which generally contain more nutrients and moisture that allows for better infiltration of water.  Napa Valley is also blessed with a cool morning fog that rolls in from the San Francisco Bay, keeping temperatures moderate and afternoons warm and dry.  A long, steady growing season with ample sun and moderate temperatures gave winemakers the gift of picking what they wanted at complete ripeness.

Douglas-Danielak-winemakerDouglas Danielak, Winemaker

“This Syrah is indicative of that, with classic aromas of plum, raspberry, blueberry and clove on the palate.  A bold mouth-feel exhibiting grippy tannins, with juicy red and dark fruit balancing the spice notes and  deep texture of this wine.”

VARIETAL: 100% Syrah
APPELLATION: Napa Valley, California
ANALYSIS: 14.4% alc/vol

 FEATURED WINE CLUB WINE: JANUARY 2015

Entrecote a la Bordelaise Bordeaux Pairing Recipe

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Entrecote Bordelaise is a classic French meat dish that marries well with a good bottle of Marquis de Lalande, Bordeaux Rouge.  Serve with sautéd potatoes or fries and green beans.

french-steakINGREDIENTS:
• 2  New York Sirloin cut steaks
• 7  tablespoons of butter
•  2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup of red wine
• 1 cup of beef stock
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• salt / black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the pan to smoking point and add half the butter. Place the steak in the pan and brown it on both sides – give it about two to three minutes on each side to sear it first, and then let the meat cook through to your taste. Prepare both steaks in this way and then set them aside.

In the same pan, (drain excess butter if needed), cook the shallots. Put them in the pan and stir from time to time until they are soft and starting to turn golden.   When the shallots are done, add the red wine to the pan and give it a good stir to deglaze the pan.

Now, add the beef stock to the pan and stir until everything is blended. Let it to simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced.  Cut the remaining butter into small pieces and add them to the sauce one at a time, mixing so that they melt into the mixture: this will give the sauce a rich flavor and give it an appetizing glossy finish.

Cut the meat across the grain into thick slices and arrange them on a plate.  Add some chopped parsley to the sauce, and then pour little of the sauce over each steak.  Serve the rest of the sauce in a gravy boat.   Serve with sautéd potatoes, fries and some green beans. Recipe courtesy of Food.com

Marquis-de-Lalande-Bordeaux-RougeMarquis de Lalande
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France

Armand Lalande, great economist, member of the Medoc and Consulate of Austria-Hungary, founded the house wine trade “A.LALANDE & CIE” in 1840.  As one of the jewels of Bordeaux located in the historic district Chartrons, House A. Lalande & Co. specializes in the breeding and trading of Bordeaux wines worldwide. This Bordeaux rouge is made from select Merlot grapes; a blend of young wines providing fruit and richness, and older wines accounting for depth, complexity, and a beautiful structure. After bottling, the blend is cellared for several months in order to achieve a fine balance.  Beautiful, brilliant, rich, cherry-red color, that already displays slight bricking on the rim. Starts out full-bodied and rich on the palate, going on to reveal an elegant tannic structure and spicy red fruit flavors.

DougFrost“This vintage in Bordeaux is a newbie and the best examples show black cherry fruits allied with minty, savory notes; combining fruit and herbs to create classic Bordeaux complexity.” – Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine

Appellation: Bordeaux Controlee, France
Varietal Blend:  100% Merlot
Analysis: 12.5% alc/vol

Mussels in Cream with French Fries

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WC_Dec_2014_Marquis_Blanc

mussels-creamMUSSEL INGREDIENTS:

•  8 – 9  lbs of mussels
•  2 cups of dry white wine
•  2 large tomatoes
•  1 cup (10 – 12) shallots
•  1 bouquet garni(thyme parsley laurel)
•  1 large head of garlic (approx. 10 cloves)
•  4 tablespoons of chopped parsley
•  6 tablespoons of salted butter
•  4 tablespoons of cornstarch
•  1  and 3/4 cup of heavy cream

MUSSEL DIRECTIONS:

Rinse the mussels under water, and discard any broken or open mussels. Cut the tomato into slices, coarsely chop the shallots.   Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the mussels, white wine, shallots, tomatoes, thyme, 1/3 of the of the parsley and bouquet garni. Heat on high and stir regularly until all the mussels are open. Remove the mussels, leaving a maximum amount of juice in the pan and reduce by half. Strain the mussel juices through a colander lined with paper towels (the goal is to remove the sand).  Collect the juice and save for the sauce.

Chop the garlic and remaining parsley. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan and add the garlic and parsley. Cook for 3 minutes, add the cornstarch, mix well and cook again on medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the fresh cream and the juice of the mussels, stir regularly over low heat until cream thickens.Return the mussels to the pan, pour the sauce over and reheat on medium for 5 minutes.

FRENCH FRIES INGREDIENTS:

•  2 lbs of russet potatoes
• Oil for frying (traditionally white Belgian fryers use beef, sometimes with the addition of pork fat or mutton, which gives this particular taste for frying fries, however, oil will make the chips lighter and more digestible)

FRENCH FRY DIRECTIONS:

Peel the potatoes, wash them and cut into strips. Wash again and dry them in a clean dish towel.    Cook for the first time in oil heated to 300° F for 7-8 minutes. Do not overload the fryer,  cook 1/3 of fries at a time.   Cool fries, time to take a drink or prepare the rest of the meal.

Cook the fries a second time in oil heated to 375° F  for about 3 minutes (they should be crisp but not hard).   Serve fries immediately, along with a salt shaker. Not recommended to salt in advance, because fries then soften and some people prefer unsalted fries.    8 – 10 servings.   Recipe courtesy of Marquis Lalande

Marquis-de-Lalande-blanc-2013Marquis de Lalande
Bordeaux Blanc
Bordeaux, France

Armand Lalande, great economist, member of the Medoc and Consulate of Austria-Hungary, founded the house wine trade “A.LALANDE & CIE” in 1840.  As one of the jewels of Bordeaux located in the historic district Chartrons, House A. Lalande & Co. specializes in the breeding and trading of Bordeaux wines worldwide.   Marquis de Lalande has a beautiful pale yellow color with green tints.  This wine has a fine and delicate nose with good minerality.  On the palate, it is intense and harmonious.   Best served at 48°F as a lovely aperitif or a perfect pairing with grilled fish or shellfish.DougFrost

“While the last several vintages of red Bordeaux might be slightly off the regions top form, not so the white wines.  These pear and lemon tinged wines are fun, tangy and delightful with a myriad of seafood and shellfish dishes.” – Doug Frost, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier

Winemaker: Eric Marin
Appellation: Bordeaux Controllee, France
Varietal Blend:  100% Sauvignon Blanc
Analysis: 12% alc/vol
Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine

Stuffed Tomatoes Pairing Recipe

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INGREDIENTS:
• 4 ripe beefsteak tomatoes (or zucchini, red peppers, potatoes)
•  1 pound ground beef
•  1/2 cup bread crumbs
•  1 yellow onion
•  1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
•  1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
•  1/4 cup olive oil
•  1/3 cup Gruyere
•  Sea salt
•  Pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400° F.  Cut the tops off of each tomato and reserve the top. It will become a little hat, or as the French say, le chapeau.  Using a spoon, remove the seeds and scoop out the innards being careful not to pierce through the tomato flesh. Sprinkle tomatoes with sea salt and turn them upside down so that the excess water drains out.
With the exception of the olive oil, mix together all the other ingredients by hand until combined.  Place the stuffing in each tomato, sprinkle with Gruyere, and cover with the cut tomato top. Drizzle a little extra olive oil on top, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.   Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, then allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.  Serve with a side dish of rice or mushroom risotto.  Recipe compliments of Château Rouchereau.

Rocher-LideyreChateau Lideyre
Cotes de Castillon
Bordeaux, France

Merlot is the main grape variety in the hillside vineyards located next to the Saint-Emilion appellation. This is blended with the other great Bordeaux grape variety, Cabernet Franc.  Philippe Bardet comes from a long line of wine growers and has been applying an environmentally-friendly approach with just the right technological balance in his vineyards for over fifteen years.  Bardet is always among the last to pick his grapes, which are entirely hand-sorted. Automated temperature fermentation control systems make it possible to keep the wines on the skins for a long time while maintaining perfect control of extraction.  Depending on the wine’s age, it goes perfectly well with grilled meats, duck and lamb chops, as well as roast chicken and medium-strong cheeses.

winemaker-eric-marin“Intense garnet-red color with crimson highlights and a full-bodied, subtle bouquet featuring berry fruit, very ripe black currants and violets.  The  after taste follows through with aromas of toast and spice.” – Eric Marin, winemaker

Winemaker: Eric Marin
Appellation: Cotes de Castillon Controlee, France
Varietal Blend:  87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc
Analysis: 13.6% alc/vol
Aging: 75% American Oak, 25% French Oak, aged 14 month

Giving thanks for Olianas Italian wine!

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Cherry Corn Bread Stuffing

Cherry-stuffing-recipeINGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. frozen sweet cherries, thawed
  • 1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage (or turkey sausage)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 large onion
  • 4 stalks celery, diced
  •  6 cups crumbled day old corn bread
  •  1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:Drain cherries in a sieve and press between several layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture and coarsely chop; set aside.

Remove sausage from the casings and crumble into a medium skillet.  Cook for 10 minutes or until no longer pink; drain excess fat.

Melt butter in a large skillet.  Add the onion and celery; cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft.  Mix together the sausage, vegetables and corn bread in a large bowl with the broth and rosemary.  Season to taste with pepper and fold in the cherries.  Makes enough stuffing for a 16 lbs. turkey.

Or transfer to a buttered 13” x 9” baking dish and bake at 375 °F for 45-60 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned on top.  Makes 12 servings.

Bold_stickerOlianas_Cannonau_NVOlianas
Cannonau
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC, Italy

Olianas is the first entirely Bio-integral winery. Over the years they have developed a new concept of ethical agriculture that is based on the protection of the environment as an essential prerequisite for the future. Olianas works their soils with cart horses, to improve the vitality of the soil and allow the plants to root in the deeper layers of the soil to ensure the longevity of the plants.  A young, fresh and lively wine, ideal with appetizers and main courses.

“An explosion of small berries with hints of dark chocolate and tobacco, on the palate shows silky tannins and a good concentration, well-balanced by the pleasant acidity.” – Stefano Casadei, winemaker

winemaker-StefanoWinemaker: Stefano Casadei
Appellation: Cannonau di Sardengna DOC, Italy
Varietal: Cannonau
Analysis: 14% alc/vol
Aging: Partially aged in French oak barriques of second use for 5 months.  Rest aged in stainless steel for same period.