Tag Archives: Food Pairings

May Beer Club: Iowa

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This month, our Beer Club members will enjoy a six pack of Unibroue’s best ales and a Cherry Chouffe Belgium Ale from Brasserie D’Achouffe.

Unibroue Mix
Variety Six Pack
Chambly, Quebec, Canada 

Unibroue_belgium_Variety PackIncluded in Variety Pack:

  • Blanche Chambly
  • Maudite
  • Don de Dieu
  • Trois Pistoles
  • La Fin du Monde
  • Ce N’est Pas la Fin du Monde

Bouteille_Blanche_de_Chambly_Bottle_Image

Unibroue
Blanche Chambly
Quebec, Canada

Featuring a straw-colored body and thick head, with a nose that features a subtle bouquet of spices, citrus notes, yeast bread, coriander and cloves. The palate has notes of wheat, orange and spices. It has good sugar/acidity balance with a honey finish.

Brewery’s Notes: This highly awarded beer was named in honor of Fort Chambly, the proud emblem of the city where our beer is brewed.

ABV: 5% alcohol / volume
Style:Belgian-style Wheat Ale
Beer Style:Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 10
Fermentation: Top
SRM: 4
Color: Pale golden
Serving Temperature: 39ºF-43ºF
Food Pairings: White fish, salads, and goat cheese
International Awards: 25 Gold, 15 Silver and 6 Bronze

Accueil_Maudite Bottle ImageUnibroue
Maudite
Quebec, Canada

Wrapped in a red cloak, this aromatic and complex beer reveals a scent of malt, orange, and spices with additional aromas or coriander, cloves and hoppy floral notes. The palate is velvety with notes of caramelized sugar and marmalade, slight roasted with a spicy finish.

Brewery’s Notes: It evokes the Quebec legend of La Chasse-galerie – or flying canoe – which tells the tale of men who would risk anything for a night of fun, even making a pact with the devil.

ABV: 8% alcohol / volume
Style: Dubbel
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 22
Fermentation: Top
SRM: 18
Color: Red amber
Serving Temperature: 54ºF-57ºF
Food Pairings: Spicy dishes, Crême brûlée, and strong-tasting soft washed-rind cheeses
International Awards: 23 Gold, 14 Silver and 4 Bronze

Accueil_DDD_Bottle ImageUnibroue
Don de Dieu
Quebec, Canada

This sweet and full-bodied white beer packs a serious punch with aromas of vanilla and fruitcake, beeswax, flowers and honey. The palate has a sweet alcohol flavor with notes of banana, hops and spices.

Brewery’s Notes: Every sip is a memorable moment, like the historic day when French explorers met with the First Nations people who came out to greet the Don de Dieu, the ship carrying Samuel de Champlain.

ABV: 9% alcohol / volume
Style: Belgian-Style Imperial Wheat Ale
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 10.5
Fermentation: Top
SRM: 5
Color: Blonde
Serving Temperature: 46ºF-54ºF
Food Pairings: White meats, mild sausages, and goat cheese
International Awards: 23 Gold and 6 Silver 

Accueil_3Pistoles_Bottle ImageUnibroue
Trois Pistoles
Quebec, Canada

Crafted with four types of malt and just as many exotic spices, this deep brown ale has a strong malt flavor on the nose that is slightly roasted with aromas of chocolate, brown rum, spices and herbs. It has a full-bodied palate with notes of lightly smoked rum, grains, herbs and spices.

Brewery’s Notes: Who can tame this powerful beast, the proud descendant of Trois-Pistoles’ legendary Black Horse?

ABV: 9% alcohol / volume
Style: Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 15.5
Fermentation: Haute
SRM: 32.2
Color: Brown with burgundy hues
Serving Temperature: 54ºF-57ºF
Food Pairings: Braised beef, game, and triple-cream cheeses
International Awards: 1 Platinum, 22 Gold, 15 Silver and 2 Bronze

Bouteille_FDM_Bottle ImageUnibroue
La Fin du Monde
Quebec, Canada

This rich and sophisticated golden tripel has earned several international titles thanks to its refined taste marked by notes of grains, fruit and spice, supported by a slight bitterness. It has a floral bouquet and fresh baguette with aromas of honey, spices, coriander, malt and alcohol. It features a mildly hoppy palate with notes of grains, fruit and spice followed by a smooth, dry finish. The perfect balance of sugar, acidity, bitterness, spices and alcohol.

Brewery’s Notes: It is a tribute to Quebec, the land encountered by 16th-century French explorers who thought they’d reached the end of the world.

ABV: 9% alcohol / volume
Style: Tripel
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 19
Fermentation: Top
SRM: 5.5
Color: Blonde
Serving Temperature: 46ºF-54ºF
Food Pairings: Seafood, sausages, and blue cheese
International Awards: 13 Platinum, 35 Gold, 8 Silver and 5 Bronze

Accueil_CPFDM_Bottle ImageUnibroue
Ce N’est Pas La Fin Du Monde
Quebec, Canada

This golden ale has notes of barley candy, cloves, yeast, peaches and tropical fruit, resinous and spicy hops on the nose. The palate highlights flavors of cereal, tropical and stone fruit, cloves, sweet pepper, and boreal. It’s herbaceous and bitter with a warmth from the alcohol.

Brewery’s Notes: This deliciously hoppy golden ale combines the complexity of a Belgian tripel with the power of New World IPAs. It’s cultural fusion at its best. Just like the French voyageurs who explored the interior of the continent in search of new horizons, now it’s your turn to embark on an adventure.

ABV: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Style: Triple du Nouveau Monde
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
IBU: 50
Fermentation: Top
SRM: 5.5
Hops: Galaxy, Willamette, Cascade and Simcoe
Color: Golden
Serving Temperature: 46ºF-50ºF
Food Pairings: Spicy fish tacos, pineapple upside-down cake, and old cheddar cheeses
International Awards: 1 Silver 

ABOUT UNIBROUE BREWERY:
Founded in 1992, Unibroue is a team of pioneers of craft beer in Quebec, Canada. From their first brew of Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue is now a team of a hundred artisans with a shared passion for distinctive premium beers. Their ultra-modern site in Chambly, Quebec produces beers with unique flavor profiles through ancestral inspiration by Belgium traditions. To date, the brewery has accumulated more than 400 international awards and honors, making Unibroue the most-awarded brewery in Canada. Learn more here.

Photos and information © Unibroue – All Rights Reserved.

cherry-chouffe_bottle imageBrasserie D’Achouffe
Cherry Chouffe
Achouffe, Wallonie, Belgium

The aroma of Cherry Chouffe reveals notes of cherry, strawberry, almond, spices and sweet Port. It is round-bodied, soft and delicate with a satisfying finish and a very slight bitterness.

ABV: 8% alcohol / volume
Style: Belgium Style Ale
Beer Style: Fruity & Spicy
Serving Recommendation: Serve at 39.2ºF-50ºF in a room temperature glass. When pouring your beer, tilt your glass to a 45º angle and pour in 2/3 of the beer. With the glass upright, pour in the rest to get a wonderfully thick and creamy head. Enjoy!
Food Pairings: Tomatoes, red peppers, red cabbage, cauliflower, fennel, oysters, duck breast, stewed game dishes, almonds, raspberries, cherries and strawberries
International Awards: 2019 World Beer Awards – Belgium Bronze; 2020 World Beer Awards – Gold

ABOUT BRASSERIE D’ACHOUFEE BREWERY:
Initially considered a hobby, the Achouffe Brewery developed when brother-in-laws decided to purchase the farm in which they had been brewing for 4 years. Then, one after the other, they embarked on their venture full time in 1986. As the brewery grew, so did its family of gnomes, each representing one of the beers in the range, and each having their own story and characteristics. Learn more about Marcel (La Chouffe) here & learn more about the brewery here.

Try pairing your Cherry CHOUFFE with a Chouffe-Style Cauliflower!

CHERRY-CHOUFFE_recette_chou-fleur_1200

© Brasserie D’Achouffe

CHOUFFE-STYLE CAULIFLOWER:
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 pinch chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or margarine)
  • 1 drop of chili sauce
  • 1 cauliflower
  • salt
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • black sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 oz. of gorgonzola
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF degrees.
  2. Combine the water, flour, paprika, cumin, cilantro and chili into a smooth paste.
  3. Melt the butter with the drop of chili sauce and a little salt. Add to the paste.
  4. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Dip them into paste and place them on a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray.
  5. Roast the cauliflower in the oven for 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, mix the ketchup, the honey, and the hot sauce. Brush the florets with the spicy sauce and return them to the oven for 3 more minutes.
  7. Mix the mayonnaise with the sour cream, the tarragon, and the gorgonzola.
  8. Before serving, top the cauliflower with the cheese sauce.
  9. Finish by sprinkling the whole thing with sesame seeds.

Photos and information © Brasserie D’Achouffe – All Rights Reserved.

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June Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubMumm_Napa_Brut_PrestigeMumm Napa
Brut Prestige
Napa Valley, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Brut Prestige is Mumm Napa’s signature sparkling wine. It is relaxed, yet elegant, featuring bright flavors of citrus, red apple, stone fruit and vanilla with notes of honey, and gingerbread spice. Its vibrant flavors are balanced by a fine acidity and a rich, lingering finish.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris & Pinot Meunier
Residual Sugar: 1.1%
Style: Brut
TA: 7.0 g/l
pH: 3.15
Time en Tirage: 18 months
Aging Potential: Drink now
Critical Acclaim: 91 Points Wine Enthusiast – March 2017

FOOD PAIRING: This wine pairs beautifully with hors d’oeuvres, crab cakes, smoked salmon, fresh greens, salads, or grilled chicken and vegetables.

VINEYARDS:
The Brut Prestige is a blend comprised of the best selected grapes from different grower locations across the Napa appellation. Each harvest, the grapes are hand-picked in the mornings to ensure they arrive to the winery in perfect condition.

WINEMAKING:
Fermentation is completed in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures, this preserves the fruit’s intensity and freshness. A few select logs are aged in French oak barrels to add depth, complexity and spiciness. From there, the finished blend goes through a second fermentation with about 18 month’s yeast aging, adding complexity, and layers of yeast dough and creaminess. Next, the wine is disgorged in brut style and part of the dosage is added back after being aged for another 3 months to balance the acidity. 

Mumm_Napa_Brut_Rose_Tech_Sheet_-_ConsumerMumm Napa 
NV Brut Rosé 
Napa Valley, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Mumm Napa’s signature Rosé is coral-pink in color. It features fresh aromas of black cherries, red berries, and citrus. On the palate, this Brut Rosé has mouth-filling flavors of rich, robust red fruit flavors, rounding out to a very elegant finish. The Pinot Noir is responsible for the soft texture and forward fruitiness, while the Chardonnay plays a roll in the wine’s structure and elegance.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa County
Residual Sugar: 1.15%
Style: Brut
TA: 7.0 g/l
pH: 3.10
Time en Tirage: 18 months
Critical Acclaim: 91 points Wine Enthusiast – December 2015

FOOD PAIRING: Pairs beautifully with creamy cheeses, grilled salmon, roast duck, or spicy Italian or Asian dishes.

VINEYARDS:
Each harvest, the Brut Rosé blend is selected from the best grapes from up to 50 grower locations throughout the Napa appellation. Similar to Mumm Brut Prestige, the grapes are hand-harvested in the early mornings to ensure they arrive at the winery in perfect condition.

WINEMAKING:
Each individual vineyard lot is fermented separately at cool temperatures in small stainless steel tanks, this helps to preserve the individual flavors, freshness and intensity of each fruit. A few select lots are aged in French Oak barrels to create further depth and complexity to the wine. To create the coral-pink color of the wine, a small amount of red Pinot Noir is added to the blend before being bottled. From there, the wine is yeast aged for an average of 18 months to add further complexity and creaminess to the wine. Next, the wine is disgorged and a dosage is added back to balance out the wine’s acidity. The dosage includes a Pinot Noir fermented in traditional Burgundian fashion, creating an extra layer of depth, color and robust fruitiness to the wine.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Established in California in the late 1970’s, Mumm Napa follows traditions from their French heritage. Their roots can be traced back to a leading International Champagne in France, GH Mumm. Today, the winery continues to follow traditional French wine making techniques to create their award winning, hand-crafted sparkling wines. Learn more about their story here.

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May Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine Club2016ArgyleVintageBrutBottleWebArgyle Winery
Vintage Brut
Willamette Valley, Oregon

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The 2016 sparkling wine vintage in the Willamette Valley was generous yet refined, highlighting the alluring precision the region has to offer. Knudsen Vineyard, in the protected Dundee Hills, brings supple depth and elegance.  While Spirit Hill Vineyard, in the windy confines of the Eola-Amity Hills, brings tension and mineral backbone. Fresh seashore, white peach, and toasted brioche are framed around a creamy center and long, graceful finish.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier
AVA: Willamette Valley AVA
Harvested: Aug. 23 – Sept. 2, 2016
Brix at Harvest: 18.6
Barrel Aging: 70% Stainless Steel, 30% Neutral Oak
Dosage: 3 g/L
Malolactic: 0% Malolactic Fermentation
Critical Acclaim: 91 Points Wine Spectator; 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

FOOD PAIRING: Serve with creamy, salty, or lean and lemony cheeses, such as a Brie, Triple Cream or Bleu Cheese. 

ABOUT THE WINERY:
In 1987, Argyle was founded by Rollin Soles to produce sparkling wines in cool-climate of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Today, Argyle Winery produces sparkling wines, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rieslings. All Argyle Sparkling wines are 100% Argyle grown, vintage dated, made from hand-picked, cold press grapes, bottle fermented, aged on yeast for a minimum of 3 years and ‘disgorged on demand.’ They have earned acclaim for their elegance, character, and uncommon ageability. Learn more about their history here.

© Photo by Argyle Winery

MSC_SparklingBrutRose2020_Bottleshot_3000px_300ppiMcBride Sisters 
Sparkling Brut Rosé 
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Grown sustainably in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Hawke’s Bay is one of the most prestigious fine wine regions in New Zealand and the source for McBride Sisters’ delicious non-vintage Sparkling Brut Rosé.

This Sparkling Brut Rosé has gentle floral notes of rose petals, strawberries and cream, and loads of freshly crushed red berries. The red fruits carry through the palate, where cranberry, peach, strawberry, and raspberry take center stage. There is a hint of toasty complexity and some creamy richness from time on lees that lead into a dry finish with lingering hints of spice.

Analysis: 12.6% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 64% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 6% Merlot
RS: 9.4 g/L
pH: 3.4
TA: 6.2 g/L
Critical Acclaim: 92 Points, Gold Medal, San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition

FOOD PAIRING: Pairs beautifully with everything from seafood to fried chicken.  

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The McBride Sisters were raised separately among the vines of Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand. Destiny led them to each other, and they quickly bonded over their shared passion for good wine and a desire to shake up the industry. In 2005 they started a wine company together. Today, the award-winning McBride Sisters Collection wines directly reflect the terroirs of the sisters’ youth, with wine styles and flavors designed for all palates. Learn more about the sisters’ story here.

© Photo by McBride Sisters

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