Tag Archives: Cachapoal

December Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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filet mignon on a grill with butter meltingFilet Mignon Steak with Blue Cheese, Rosemary Butter & Spicy Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 tbsp. blue cheese
  • 1 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary
  • salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 4 filets mignons, each about 1 ½ inch thick
  • olive oil as needed and 2 tbsp. butter for frying the steaks
  • fresh rosemary for frying the steaks

For the potatoes:

  • 4 large potatoes, peeled
  • 1 tsp smoky paprika chipotle seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic & onion spice blend
  • salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

To make the Blue Cheese & Rosemary Butter:
  • Whip together the butter until light and fluffy. Add the blue cheese and fresh rosemary; mix well. Fill a pastry bag (tip 1M) with the butter, and pipe small star shapes onto a tray (with parchment paper). Place in refrigerator until ready to use.

To make the Spicy Potatoes:

  • In a deep sauté pan over high heat, bring the water to a simmer. Generously season with salt and add the potatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the potatoes are just tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain well. Add the olive oil to the same pan and cook, tossing the potatoes occasionally, until browned. Season well with salt and pepper, garlic blend, and smoky paprika seasoning.

To prepare the steaks:

  • Remove the filets mignons from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper, patting the seasonings firmly into the meat.
  • Preheat an oven to 450°F.
  • Heat a large, heavy ovenproof frypan over high heat and pour in just enough oil to coat the bottom. When the oil is almost smoking, add the steaks and sear for about 5 minutes. Add butter and fresh rosemary. Turn the steaks over and cook another 3-4 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 125° to 130°F for medium-rare, 3 to 4 minutes, or until done to your liking.
  • Place each steak on a plate, top with the blue cheese and rosemary butter, and serve immediately with spicy potatoes.

© Recipe courtesy of Cooking Melangery.

DECEMBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoCalyptra Vivendo Assemblage wine bottle with a bowCalyptra Vineyards & Winery
Vivendo Assemblage
Alto Cachapoal, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

Ruby color, the nose reveals notes of black cherries, fresh plums, blueberries and hints of cinnamon and cloves. The palate is dominated by cassis, black plums and fresh cherries. Smooth tannins and juicy acidity lend the wine a fine texture and a long, fresh finish.

Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah
Appellation: Alto Cachapoal, Chile
Winemaker: Emiliano Dominguez Battocchia

WINEMAKING DETAILS:
Calyptra’s own grapes were grown in a ravine in the Andean foothills of the Cachapoal Valley and hand-harvested into 12-kg boxes. Following cluster selection, the grapes were destemmed and fell directly into the stainless steel tanks without the use of pumps. A cold pre-fermentation maceration for 3 days was followed by the alcoholic fermentation at 71.6ºF-75.2ºF for 8-10 days, and a post-fermentation maceration for 10 days. The blend was defined and then tank-aged for 12 months prior to bottling. The wine was bottle-aged for at least 12 months before being released for sale.

ABOUT CALYPTRA VINEYARDS & WINERY:
In 1989, Dr. Jose Miguel Zarhi Troy, a plastic surgeon and wine enthusiast, initiated a vineyard project by planting the first Chardonnay vines on his property in the Alto Cachapoal Valley. Over time, his passion project expanded to include various vine varieties and a winery, producing some of Chile’s top-tier wines. In 2018, Dr. Zarhi extended the Calyptra Winery venture by partnering with Lic. Fernando Rodriguez Merino, an IT businessman from Argentina who is deeply involved in the wine, hospitality, and gastronomic industry since 2007. This collaboration led to the acquisition of a plot in Los Árboles de Villegas en Tunuyán, a prime wine-growing region in the Uco Valley at 1,250 meters above sea level. Learn more here.

Information & Photo © Calyptra Vineyards & Winery – All Rights Reserved.

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Casas del Toqui Barrel Series Merlot

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Polenta (boiled cornmeal) with meat-based sauce - ragù alla bolognese.PARMESAN POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE RAGU

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. Italian sausages, casings removed
  • 1 red onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
  • 1 1⁄2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1⁄4 cup finely chopped basil leaves
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp. fine sea salt
  • 1 1⁄4 cups polenta (not quick-cooking)
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high; add sausage and cook, breaking it into small (almost meatball-like)pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add tomatoes and boil; simmer until thick, 30-40 minutes. Add basil, vinegar, kosher salt, and pepper; keep warm.
  2. When sauce is nearly ready, bring sea salt and 5 cups water to a boil in a 4-qt. saucepan; slowly add polenta and cook, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy, 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter, 1⁄2 cup Parmesan cheese, and kosher salt. Divide between bowls and top with ragù; garnish with more Parmesan cheese.

© Recipe courtesy of Pedroncelli.

MAY WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoToqui-Barrel-Series-Merlot-wine-bottleCasas del Toqui
Barrel Series Merlot
Cachapoal Valley D.O., Chile

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This Barrel Series Merlot has an intense ruby red color with hints of violet. The nose is complex and intense with notes of tobacco, chocolate and spices. It has nice tannins on the palate with interesting volume and good persistence.

Varietal: 100% Merlot
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Region: Cachapoal Valley D.O., Chile
Viticulture: Vertical espalier
Vinification: Fermentation at 80.6ºF-84.2ºF, post fermentation maceration and aged in oak barrels for 8 months.
Closure: Natural Cork
Serving Suggestion: Serve between 60.8ºF-64.4ºF
Food Pairing: Serve with game meats and casseroles.

ABOUT CASAS DEL TOQUI:
Casas del Toqui Winery was created with the intention to develop and produce high quality fine wines, to be shared both domestically and internationally. They are committed to excellence by continuously managing their quality, labor safety and environmental sustainability; allowing them to be a role model for the Chilean wine industry. Their philosophy is to achieve maximum balance, quality and identity to each of their wines, to ensure they are a direct reflection of their terroirs. Learn more about the winery here.

Casas-del-toqui-barrel-cellar

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Casas del Toqui Barrel Series Semillón

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Fried-Empanadas-Chilean-Shrimp-and-cheeseCHILEAN SHRIMP AND CHEESE EMPANADAS

INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 empanadas dough thawed (on Latin supermarket, on the frozen aisle)
  • 1 cup raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned, without the tail
  • 5 washed and finely chopped scallions white and green parts(green onions)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder or Merquén
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup of cheese coarsely grated, Havarti or Monterrey Jack are good choices
  • oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Make the filling: In a medium skillet, heat one tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-low heat, add the green onions and sauté until lightly browned and tender, about 3 minutes, add salt, pepper, and Merquén, stir well and add the shrimp and cook until they are getting pink. Remove from heat and let cool, add the cheese, and mix.
  2. Once the dough is thawed, separate carefully. Place two teaspoons of filling of shrimp and cheese. Close the empanadas, slightly wet the edge with water, and then crush with a fork to seal the border. You can also make small folds after sealing the edge, my favorite way.
  3. Heat oil in a deep pot to avoid splashing, test the oil with a piece of dough leftover, get out to the surface, and brown quickly in about 1 minute per side, or  400F. Place the empanadas to be fried, 2 or 3 at a time. Allow to brown on both sides, remove to a plate with an absorbent paper towel and let drain 1 minute, serve and eat hot.

© Recipe courtesy of Pilar Hernandez at Chilean Food & Garden.

MAY WINE CLUB:

Silky styleToqui-Barrel-Series-SEMILLON-wine-bottleCasas del Toqui
Barrel Series Semillón
Cachapoal Valley, Chile

SILKY WINE STYLE

This Barrel Series Semillón is wheat yellow in color. There are notes of citric fruits, white pear and honey on the nose. The palate is light, nice and fresh.

Varietal: 100% Semillón
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Region: Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Viticulture: Vertical espalier
Vinification: Fermentation at 80.6ºF-84.2ºF, post fermentation maceration and aged in third use oak barrel for two months
Closure: Screw cap
Serving Suggestion: Serve between 50ºF-53.6ºF
Food Pairing: Serve with fresh cheeses and seasoned shrimps

Casas del Toqui Vineyards with bicycles

ABOUT CASAS DEL TOQUI:
The Cachapoal Valley is renowned worldwide for its Mediterranean weather, where the Coastal Range and the Andes create one of the best soils in the region to produce high quality wines. The terroir of Casas del Toqui includes a wide range of soil types. Each plot of land is handled individually according to the unique characteristics of the terroir, which through a coordinated harvest, vinification and barrel management allows Casas del Toqui to keep individual lots to show the purest expression of each varietal. Learn more about the winery here.

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March Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Pork Chop Recipe

© Photo by Little Ferraro Kitchen

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme

  • 1 bone in double cut pork chop, about 2 inches thick
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp grape seed oil for drizzling
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3-4 garlic cloves gently crushed and skins removed
  • 1-2 sprigs of rosemary and thyme

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Start by removing the pork chops from the fridge and bringing it closer to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
  2. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper on all sides and get your cast iron pan hot on the stove top.
  3. Pre-heat the oven to 400°F and drizzle the skillet with a neutral oil, such as grape seed oil.
  4. Once skillet is hot, sear pork chops on all sides, about 2 minutes per side until nicely charred, then place in oven and roast for about 6-8 minutes until internal temp reaches 135°F (mostly cooked through).
  5. Place the skillet back on the stove top and add butter, garlic and herbs and as soon as butter melts, carefully tilt the pan with one hand and use your other hand to baste the infused butter onto the pork chop for another 1-2 minutes, not letting the butter burn.
  6. Once done, turn off heat and remove pork chop to another plate to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into it.

© Recipe courtesy of Samantha Ferraro of Little Ferraro Kitchen.

MARCH WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoTerroir Selection Carmenere 2019Casas del Toqui
Terrior Selection Carménère
Cachapoal Valley, Chile

BOLD WINE STYLE

Cherry red color with violet hues. Aromas of black fruits, chocolate and spices, with hints of currants, nuts and tobacco. On the palate there are silky tannins. This wine is juicy and well balanced, with a lingering finish.

Varietal: 100% Carménère
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Aging: Native yeast vinification in neutral French oak
Viticulture: Vertical espalier
Vinification: Fermentation at 80.6ºF-84.2ºF, post fermentation maceration and aged in oak barrels for 12 months
Closure: Natural cork
Pairing: Serve between 60˚F-64˚F with pork chops and sausages

ABOUT CASAS DEL TOQUI:
In 1994, Château Larose Trintaudon, a major French wine producer from the Bordeaux region, partnered with traditional wine producers from the Cachapoal region in Chile and together they founded Casas del Toqui. Recently, their legacy was recaptured by a Chilean family with a great passion for wine, contributing with their own unique and distinctive mark.

The Cachapoal Valley is renowned worldwide for its Mediterranean weather, where the Coastal Range and the Andes create one of the best soils in the region to produce high quality wines. The terroir of Casas del Toqui includes a wide range of soil types. Each plot of land is handled individually according to the unique characteristics of the terroir, which through a coordinated harvest, vinification and barrel management allows Casas del Toqui to keep individual lots to show the purest expression of each component before crafting the different blends.

© Photo by Casas del Toqui
© Photo by Casas del Toqui
© Photo by Casas del Toqui

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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