Tag Archives: carignan

Skylark Red Belly

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Down Home Dig-in Chili

© Bewitching Kitchen

© Bewitching Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 green bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 1/2 lbs stewing beef, chopped
  • 2 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt), chopped
  • 4 cans (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 bottle pale ale (12 ounce)
  • 7 Tbsp chili powder
  • 4 jalapeno chilies, seeded
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Hot pepper sauce (Tabasco type), to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  • Heat the oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Remove vegetables using slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Increase heat to high. Add beef and pork; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Return vegetables to pot. Add tomatoes, ale, chili powder chilies, cayenne and cumin. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer 2 hours, adding reserved tomato liquid if chili appears dry. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Uncover and simmer until thickened and meat is tender, 2 more hours.
  • Season chili with hot pepper sauce. Serve with green onions, cheddar cheese, avocado and sour cream.
  • © Photo courtesy of Bewitching Kitchen; Recipe from Bon Appétit, 1988

DECEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoSkylark Red BellySkylark Wine Company
Red Belly
North Coast, California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Purple in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, plum, black licorice and a violet floral top note completes the engaging and complex nose. The red and black fruits on the palate turn creamy, silky and supple; as the medium-bodied palate is polished with lovely fruit viscosity buffered by inner mouth perfume. This is an eminently drinkable vintage for Red Belly, enjoyable now and for the next decade.

Red Belly is Skylark’s ode to the South of France where blending varietals to create a unique synergy is the way of life. Blending compatible varietals together is a centuries old tradition, and the Skylark team loves the challenges and complexities that come with that tradition. The Red belly is comprised of 40% Niemi Vineyard Carignane, 36% Ashurst Vineyard Syrah and 24% Sawyer Vineyard Grenache. Each varietal is fermented separately, then after secondary fermentation in barrel, the cepage is finalized after multiple blending sessions. The goal for Red Belly is juicy fruit, integrated tannins and early accessibility with mid-term aging potential. Skylark has definitely have achieved that here.

John L and Robert P

Photo by Skylark Wine: John L. and Robert P.

Varietal: 40% Carignan, 36% Syrah, 24% Grenache
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.61
TA: 6.2
Aging: Native yeast vinification of individual varietals in neutral French oak
Harvested: Hand-picked
Vineyards: Niemi Vineyard – Ashurst Vineyard – Sawyer Vineyard
Produced: 37 barrels – 925 cases

“While we continuously explore the fertile California landscape for red wine vineyards that excite us, our current releases are native to the Rhone Valley in France. Our single vineyard Syrahs are inspired by the Northern Rhone wines of Cote Rotie and Hermitage. Our Grenache is reflective of the great wines produced in the south of France in tiny villages such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. We love the style of these wines and have discovered vineyards in Northern California that allow these varietals to truly shine.”

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Pairing Recipe August Wine Club

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August Wine Club

Abbotts and Delaunay
A Tire d’ Aile
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Cotes Du Roussillon
France

Cotes Roussillon bottleStemmed from the encounter of two passionate winemakers, Abbotts & Delaunay wines embody the know-how of Nerida Abbott and Laurent Delaunay.

A Tire d’Aile is a range of delectable, balanced and elegant wines from classic appellations in the Languedoc region. Respecting both the soil and the vines, healthy grapes are produced with good concentration much to the delight of the birds that live in the plots.

The grapes for this wine hail from three of Roussillon’s famed terroirs; Montner (a temperate zone producing grapes that lend depth to the wine), Tautavel (a hot, dry terroir whose grapes add complexity) and Caramany (a cooler area with grapes that lend elegance). The grapes are handpicked. The Syrah and Grenache grapes are vinified traditionally while the Carignan undergoes whole bunch maceration. Pairs great with grilled meats, poultry in puff pastry and Mediterranean cuisine.

“Deep in color with carmine hues, this wine has aromas of raspberry, violet, licorice and blackberry underscored by spicy notes. Full-bodied from the start with soft tannins and long on the finish.” – Laurent Delaunay, winemaker

 

Rustic Sausage Kale Pasta

Pairs well, complementing the earthy, fruit forward flavors in a Languedoc red.

Rustic Sausage Kale Pasta plate

INGREDIENTS:
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1b mild Italian pork sausage
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1-½ cups baby kale
• 7 oz. canned Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 lb dried penne pasta
• pinch red pepper flakes, optional
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 5 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese + more for serving

DIRECTIONS:
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add the pork sausage, breaking it up and cook until browned. Add the red onion slices and cook for another 5 minutes. Turn heat down to low.
• Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
• Drain the pasta. Add the beans to the sausage mixture, pasta, Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water. Stir to mix and gently mix in the baby kale. Serve with extra cheese. Serves 4.  © Photo and recipe Always Ravenous, adapted from French Country Cooking by Mimi Thorisson.