Tag Archives: Mellow Wine Style

January Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoAresca_Barolo_January_23_Premium_ClubFratelli Aresca
Barolo DOCG “Costareto”
Piedmont, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

The nose is very ample and complex with notes of violet and spices. The taste is rich of smooth tannins with notes of red mature fruity, tobacco and vanilla.

Analysis: 14-14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyards: South-facing vineyards located around Barolo production area. Grape-yield of 8 tons/hectare. Manual harvest.
Winemaking: Alcoholic fermentation and maceration for 16-19 days. Then maturation in wooden cask for 2 years and for 6 months in bottle before sale.
Pairing: Ideal with roast, game and stew.

WINERY’S NOTES:
Barolo is the icon of Piedmont wines. This Barolo is produced according to tradition with long maceration and maturation in big wooden casks. This is a Barolo to age in cellar, but is also great to drink when released.

Bold wine Style logoAresca_Barbera_Nizza_January_Premium ClubFratelli Aresca
Nizza DOCG “San Luigi”
Piedmont, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

Red intense in color, the nose is ethereal and complex with notes of red and black fruit, chocolate and cocoa. The taste has a good structure and complexity with notes of black cherry and sweet tobacco.

Analysis: 14-14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Barbera
Vineyards: Selected vineyards for soil quality and exposure (from south-east to south-west). Guyot training system, and manual harvest. Grape-yield of 7 tongs/hectare.
Winemaking: Temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation and maceration for 20 days. Aging for 12 months in barrel and for 6 months in bottle before sale.
Pairing: Ideal with red meat and game but you can enjoy Nizza “San Luigi” as a meditation wine.

WINERY’S NOTES:
The new designation Nizza DOCG is recognized as the summit of the appellations of Barbera grapes in Piedmont. Nizza’s production is restricted to selected vineyards around the Nizza Monferrato village. These vineyards benefit from great exposures (from southeast to southwest) and very low yield (7 tons/hectare). The result is a complex and intense wine with an extraordinary potential for aging. Nizza “San Luigi” is the icon wine of the Fratelli Aresca Estate and their best interpretation of Barbera. It’s named after their founder Luigi Aresca who always believed in the potential of this great grape variety. Nizza “San Luigi” ages for 12 months in barrel and for at least 6 months in bottle before sale. 

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located between Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, in a unique land recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the winery was a dream realized by Piero and Luigi Aresca back in 1952. These two winegrowers turned their passion into a family business that has never left the rows of Mombercelli. The vineyards are cultivated with respect to the traditions of these ancient lands and the uniqueness of the terroir. Learn more here. >

© Information and photos from Fratelli Aresca – All Rights Reserved. 

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Domaine De Lilotte Bordeaux

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Bowl,With,Delicious,Meatballs,On,TableBest Ever (Easy) Baked Meatballs

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup dried bread crumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 3 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. parsley minced (or about 1/2 Tbsp. dried)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Mix together onion, bread crumbs, garlic, egg, cheese, ketchup, salt, pepper and parsley in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add in ground beef and mix gently until combined. Do not overwork. Form into 1-inch balls and place on prepared cookie sheet.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are browned and cooked through.

© Recipe courtesy of Jenn of Yummy, Healthy, Easy.

JANUARY WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoDomaine_Lilotte-bottleDomaine de Lilotte
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Bordeaux, France

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Aged in vats, this dry, red wine expresses balance and spicy aromas when very young. Its freshness charms lovers of young wine who above all seek conviviality among friends. Drink now or lay down for 2 or 3 more years.

Varietal: 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
Analysis: 13.00% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.58
Appellation: Bordeaux
Winemaker: Hugues Mallet is in charge of the production in the vineyard and in the cellar
Pairing: Great with pork chops and a nice honey mustard sauce

WINERY NOTES:

In the Vineyard: The Domaine de Lilotte is located in the village of Tauriac, in Côtes de Bourg wine region, to the north of Bordeaux.  Produced by a 4th generation family, the estate was added to the Haut-Maco family business in the 1970s. Domaine de Lilotte is a clos of just 13 hectares on a clay, alluvium, and sand soil located near the river. The average age of the vines is 25 years old and grass is grown between the rows to create competition for the plants. Vines are de-leafed on the east side in July. Since 2018, the farm has been Certified HVE 3 (“Haute Valeur Environnementale Niveau” 3 or “High Environmental Value” Level 3) – the highest level possible in this French environmental certification.

About the Harvest: To limit the yield, the winery will green harvest when it is necessary. The grapes are picked by a mechanical harvester with a de-stemmer integrated on the machine. The berries are sorted manually on a sorting table.

In the Cellar: Traditional vinification is used. The alcoholic fermentation is done in stainless steel vats with control of temperature and the Malolactic Fermentation. Maceration is for about 10 to 15 days. Aging is completed in vats and bottled frequently to keep its freshness.

Photos and information © Domaine de Lilotte – All Rights Reserved.

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Aresca Dolcetto di Ovada DOC

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Ragu bolognese PastaPasta with Marcella’s Bolognese Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter, plus 1 tablespoon for tossing the pasta
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • ⅔ cup chopped celery
  • ⅔ cup chopped carrots
  • ¾ pound ground beef chuck (or you can use 1 part pork to 2 parts beef)
  • salt
  • black pepper, ground fresh from the mill
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • whole nutmeg
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1½ cups canned imported Italian plum tomatoes, cut up, with their juice
  • 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds pasta
  • freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese at the table

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Put the oil, butter and chopped onion in the pot and turn the heat on to medium. Cook and stir the onion until it has become translucent, then add the chopped celery and carrot. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring vegetables to coat them well.
  2. Add ground beef, a large pinch of salt and a few grindings of pepper. Crumble the meat with a fork, stir well and cook until the beef has lost its raw, red color.
  3. Add milk and let it simmer gently, stirring frequently, until it has bubbled away completely. Add a tiny grating — about ⅛ teaspoon — of nutmeg, and stir.
  4. Add the wine, let it simmer until it has evaporated, then add the tomatoes and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients well. When the tomatoes begin to bubble, turn the heat down so that the sauce cooks at the laziest of simmers, with just an intermittent bubble breaking through to the surface. Cook, uncovered, for 3 hours or more, stirring from time to time. While the sauce is cooking, you are likely to find that it begins to dry out and the fat separates from the meat. To keep it from sticking, add ½ cup of water whenever necessary. At the end, however, no water at all must be left and the fat must separate from the sauce. Taste and correct for salt.
  5. Toss with cooked drained pasta, adding the tablespoon of butter, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan on the side.

© Recipe courtesy of Marcella Hazan on New York Time’s Cooking.

DECEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoAresca Dolcetto di Ovada DOC wine bottleFratelli Aresca
Dolcetto di Ovada DOC
Piedmont, Italy

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Ruby red in color with a very fruity nose and taste with hints of plums and raspberry.

Varietal: 100% Dolcetto
Analysis: 12.5-13% alcohol / volume
Vineyard: Located in Monferrato area with a yield of 8 tons/hectare. Manual harvest.
Winemaking: Temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation with short maceration on skins. Then aging in steel tanks for at least 6 months.
Pairing: Ideal with delicate dishes such as pasta and soup.

WINERY’S NOTES:
Dolcetto di Ovada is a fruity red wine with a dry lingering aftertaste. It is smooth and balanced with a touch of spiciness. It is the perfect everyday red wine.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located between Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, in a unique land recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the vineyards are cultivated with respect to the traditions of these ancient lands and the uniqueness of the terrior. Learn more here. >

Photos and information © Fratelli Aresca – All Rights Reserved.

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November Premium Wine Club

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Greywacke_PinotNoir-bottleMellow style logoGreywacke
Pinot Noir 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Imagine a black forest cake, chock-full of juicy cherries and Black Doris plums, served up with a generous dollop of blueberry compote, laced with nutmeg and cloves. This is a deeply colored Pinot Noir, exuding lush, ripe fruit – highly fragrant with a cedar-like spiciness and hints of hot-smoked nuts. The palate is dense and generous with rich fruit, fine tannins and a delicious spicy finish.

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Total Acidity:  5.2 g/L
pH: 3.70
Aging: Individual clones were barrel aged separately for 11 months, prior to blending in late February.
Bottling: November 2020

VITICULTURE:
All fruit was grown in Marlborough’s southern valleys and principally sourced from the Yarrum Vineyard, situated on the Brancott/Ben Morven ridge. Typical of this sub-region, the wind-blown loess soils are comprised of clay-loams with differing degrees of gravel content. The various source blocks are cultivated to a mixture of Pinot Noir clones, predominately the Dijon clones 115, 777 and 667, with smaller parcels of UCD5 and AM 10/5. The vineyards are primarily hillside plantings trained to two-cane VSP (vertical shoot positioning) with a high vine density of 3800 plants per hectare.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were hand-harvested and chilled overnight prior to hand sorting. Most of the fruit was then destemmed into open-top fermenters, the majority of which also had a percentage of whole-bunch inclusion. The fruity was left to soak on skins prior to the onset of indigenous yeast fermentation, then plunged daily. After fermentation, the wine was pressed, racked and filled into French oak barriques (30% new).

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Established in 2009, Greywacke (pronounced Grey-wacky) is the Marlborough label of the Judd family and the name of New Zealand’s most abundant bedrock – an understated grey river stone that is found throughout Marlborough’s rivers and alluvial vineyard soils. While the company now exports their wines all over the world, the winery is still very much a family affair; the ethos remains ‘keep it simple and hands-on’ with a small, dedicated team running the company at their headquarters, located in the heart of Marlborough’s Omaka Valley. All vineyards are sustainably managed and their fruit is sourced from mature vineyards in prime viticultural sites across Marlborough’s sunny South Pacific climate. Learn more about the winery and its team here.

> Click here to watch Greywacke’s Story <

Bold wine Style logoPenley-Helios_Cabernet_bottlePenley Estate
Helios Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Coonawarra, Australia

BOLD WINE STYLE

This Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, yet restrained with incredible depth, complexity and finesse. The dark fruits, combined with the savory notes and focused tannins result in a pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is complex, supporting French oak and full of cassis, mulberry, violet and licorice. The palate is quite bold and generous, driven by notes of succulent fruit and savory, textural tannins with great length.

Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Total Acidity:  6.6 g/L
pH: 3.5
Critical Acclaim: 95 pts. Wine Enthusiast; 94 pts. Wine Spectator

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located in the center of Australia’s most famous Cabernet region, Coonawarra, the Penley Estate continues a family tradition that spans five generations. Owners and sisters, Ang and Bec Tolley have 240 acres planted atop the Terra Rossa soils, where they constantly strive to make wines with carefree souls, that celebrate the fruit and honor the vine. In words of their mother, they want every bottle of their Coonawarra wine to… “Grow up and be fascinating”.  Learn more about the family history and winemakers here.

> Click here to watch Penley’s Story <

© Information from Greywacke and Penley Estate – All Rights Reserved. 

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Jan Harmsgat Pinot Noir

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Creamy Leftover Turkey SoupCreamy Leftover Turkey Soup

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 4 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 6 cups turkey broth OR chicken, OR vegetable
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • ½ pound baby potatoes, halved or quartered
  • ½ cup wild rice blend
  • 1 cup half & half
  • 4 cups cooked Turkey meat, shredded
  • ½ cup corn
  • salt & pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Cook aromatics: Heat butter and oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes.
  2. Cook mushrooms: Stir in mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until mushrooms have softened. Stir through garlic and cook for one more minute.
  3. Season: Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and flour evenly over mushroom mixture, stir well for 1 minute.
  4. Add broth: Gradually pour in broth, stirring constantly, to keep any lumps from forming.
  5. Simmer: Stir in carrots, potatoes and rice. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until rice is nearly done (about 20-25 minutes for parboiled rice, about 35 minutes for regular).
  6. Finish soup: Once rice is nearly ready, open lid and stir soup well. Add half and half, cooked turkey meat and corn. Stir well, then simmer over medium heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until heated through.
  7. Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.

© Recipe courtesy of Nora from Savory Nothings.

 

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoJan-Harmsgat_Pinot-NoirJan Harmsgat
Pinot Noir
South Africa

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This Pinot Noir is light and soft in style. On the nose, there are notes of dark cherries and strawberries with a slight earthiness. The palate has a soft tannic structure and smooth texture.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.75
VA: 0.64
VS02: 26 mg/L
TS02: 62 mg/L
RS: 2.23 g/L
Wood Maturation: 3 Months, 225L French Oak, 4th fill.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The newest addition to the JHG boutique wine collection is the Pinot Noir. The very first attempt at making this wine, JHG won the trophy for the best Pinot Noir in the Robertson Wine Valley at the Young Wine Awards.

ABOUT JAN HARMSGAT:
Founded in 1723, the Jan Harmsgat Farm (JHG) is situated on the most southern tip of the Robertson wine valley, along the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape of South Africa. This area is locally known as the “valley of wine and roses”. JHG’s philosophy is to create delicious single-block wines — the smallest production unit for vineyards that may not exceed six hectares per cultivar. Their unique position borders with dry conditions of the Karoo (semi-desert region), along with cool sea breezes from the coastal regions. Learn more about the winery’s history here.

© Information and Photos provided by Jan Harmsgat.

Jan Harmsgat Winery South Africa

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Reguta Refosco Peduncolo Rosso

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Beef GoulashPolenta con Goulash (Polenta with Braised Beef Ragù)

INGREDIENTS:

  • For the Polenta:
    • 375 grams (1 packet) polenta
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
    • 4 tablespoons coarse salt
  • For the Goulash:
    • 2 pounds beef chuck or pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sweet or hot paprika
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
    • 1 cup tomato purée
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 4 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
    • Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed

DIRECTIONS:

  • To prepare the Polenta:

    1. In a medium saucepan, bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil. Very slowly, begin to sift the cornmeal into the pan through the fingers of one hand, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.

    2. Gradually sift all the cornmeal into the pan while stirring, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to stir constantly until the polenta is smooth, thick, and pulls away from the sides of the pan as it is stirred, about 8 minutes with the Valsugana Instant Polenta. Whisk the butter into the polenta, then fold in the freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste for seasoning, and adjust with salt, to taste.

  • To prepare the Goulash:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    2. In a bowl, combine the meat, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 2 tablespoons of flour, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

    3. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan, and brown the meat. Remove the meat, and set it aside on a plate. Add the butter, and sauté the onion, garlic, and remaining paprika. Add in the vinegar, tomatoes, tomato purée, bay leaves, and beef broth, then return the meat to the pot. Cook the meat, covered, in the oven for 2-3 hours until a tender stew has formed.

    4. To plate the dish, spread a layer of polenta on a serving dish and top it with the beef goulash. Garnish with the chopped parsley, and serve hot.

© Recipe courtesy of Eataly.

SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoReguta_RefoscoReguta
Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso
Friuli, Italy

MELLOW WINE STYLE

The Reguta Refosco is garnet red in color, tending to purple. The nose is intense with strong fruity notes of cherry and blackberry, along with a floral sensation of wood and violet. The palate has a full mouth feel, with a pleasantly bitter finish.

Varietal: Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso
Serving Temperature: 60.8ºF-64.4ºF
Food Pairings: Suitable for tasteful main courses and legumes. Best with beef, goat, lamb and liver.

ABOUT REGUTA:
The Reguta winery was founded in 1928 by Ettore Anselmi. Today, the winery is still owned and operated by the Anselmi Family in Pocenia in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Second and third generations – Giuseppe and Luigi Anselmi and their sons continue the family’s traditions while expanding their high quality products. Located in a microclimate next to the Adriatic Sea, the winery boasts 250 hectares of vineyards. The soils are clayey in nature with a sandy component – allowing optimal development of the vine and an ideal habitat to produce and mature generous fruits. Learn more here.

© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery

 

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Jan Harmsgat Pinot Noir

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Flat,Breads,With,Lamb,Meatballs,,Yogurt,,Cucumber,And,TomatoesGRILLED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH MINT YOGURT

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lb. ground lamb
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ¾ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • few cracks fresh black pepper
  • ¼ cup + 1 tbs tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 8 lemon wedges, for serving
  • grilled pita, for serving
  • Mint-Yogurt Sauce:
    • 1 cup Greek yogurt
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1/3 cup chopped mint
    • salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Begin by making the yogurt-mint sauce. Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until combined. Season with salt to taste. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
  2. For the meatballs, add all of the ingredients for the lamb meatballs to a large bowl. Gently mix everything together with your hands, taking care not to over mix (this will ensure the meat stays tender).
  3. Roll the meat into 16, two-tablespoon-sized meatballs.
  4. Heat an outdoor grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grate, then place the meatballs on the grill and cook for 12 minutes, 6 minutes on each side. Alternatively, you can cook these meatballs on a lightly oiled grill pan set over medium-high heat, and cook for the same amount of time.
  5. Serve the meatballs with a large dollop of the mint-yogurt and with a wedge of lemon.

© Recipe courtesy of Kristan Raines from La Crema.

AUGUST WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoJan-Harmsgat_Pinot-NoirJan Harmsgat
Pinot Noir
South Africa

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This Pinot Noir is light and soft in style. On the nose, there are notes of dark cherries and strawberries with a slight earthiness. The palate has a soft tannic structure and smooth texture.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.75
VA: 0.64
VS02: 26 mg/L
TS02: 62 mg/L
RS: 2.23 g/L
Wood Maturation: 3 Months, 225L French Oak, 4th fill.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The newest addition to the JHG boutique wine collection is the Pinot Noir. The very first attempt at making this wine, JHG won the trophy for the best Pinot Noir in the Robertson Wine Valley at the Young Wine Awards.

ABOUT JAN HARMSGAT:
Founded in 1723, the Jan Harmsgat Farm (JHG) is situated on the most southern tip of the Robertson wine valley, along the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape of South Africa. This area is locally known as the “valley of wine and roses”. JHG’s philosophy is to create delicious single-block wines — the smallest production unit for vineyards that may not exceed six hectares per cultivar. Their unique position borders with dry conditions of the Karoo (semi-desert region), along with cool sea breezes from the coastal regions. Learn more about the winery’s history here.

© Information and Photos provided by Jan Harmsgat.

Jan Harmsgat Winery South Africa

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Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Shiraz

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grilled chicken wings on a wooden board

Lampe’s Chicken Wings with Sweet-and-Spicy Pantry Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

  • 16 chicken wings, with the two joints attached, tips removed
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Make a slash on the inside of the chicken wing joints without cutting through the bone and in a few other places. In a large, shallow baking dish, combine the ketchup with the mustard, hot sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar. Add the chicken wings and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Light a grill. Remove the chicken wings from the marinade (pantry sauce), leaving some of it on them, and reserve the remaining marinade. Grill the wings over a medium-hot fire, turning and basting them with the reserved marinade, until nicely charred and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Stop basting during the last 5 minutes of grilling and discard any remaining marinade. Serve the wings hot or at room temperature.

© Recipe courtesy of Ray Lampe on Food & Wine.

JULY WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoKillermans-Run-Shiraz-bottle-webKilikanoon
Killerman’s Run Shiraz
Clare Valley, South Australia

MELLOW WINE STYLE

There are pronounced aromatics of dark fruits, sweet spices, and forest floor. The palate is welcoming with generous flavors of black cherry, dusted chocolate and plum. It evolves beautifully in the glass, a wonderfully textured wine that finishes on a savory note.

Varietal: Shiraz
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Maturation: 15 months in new and seasoned French oak barriques
Winemaker: Peter Warr
Appellation: Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
Pairing Recommendations: Marinated pork spare ribs, BBQ chicken wings or pizza
Critical Acclaim: 91 pts. Wine Spectator; 90 pts. Wine Enthusiast

BACKGROUND:
Named after a legendary Clare Valley squatter, Killerman, who planted and tended vines on a paddock adjoining the Kilikanoon property. As legend has it, Killerman made his own wines in a galvanized iron lean-to.

WINEMAKING:
The Killerman’s Run Shiraz uses low yielding grapes from premium vineyards, hand-selected from exclusively Clare Valley vineyards. The grapes are then vinified by traditional winemaking methods and matured in small French barriques before careful blending and unfiltered bottling.

ABOUT KILIKANOON:
Kilikanoon is a boutique Clare Valley winery founded in 1997 by Kevin Mitchell; it is known for producing regionally expressive, terroir-driven wines. The Kilikanoon property, featuring a circa 1860s stone cottage housing Kilikanoon’s tasting room, was orginally settled by early English migrants who named it after a historic old mansion in Cornwall. When purchasing the historic property in 1997, Kevin Mitchell inherited 30 year old Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache and Riesling vineyards− many of which were planted by his father, Mort, in the 1960’s. Learn more here.

© Photo by Kilikanoon Wines
© Photo by Kilikanoon Wines

© Information provided by Old Bridge Cellars.

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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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March Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoMaterra Cunat Family Vineyards
Midnight Red Blend
Oak Knoll District
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Midnight Red Blend is deep purple in color with aromatic notes of cranberry, red currant, and vanilla cola.  Up front, there is a zingy acidity with a bit of nice spice on the palate.  The wine is medium-weight, but finish is powerful and persistent.

Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 46% Malbec, 31% Petit Verdot, 23% Merlot
Appellation: Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California
Oak Aging: 45% new French Oak for 19 months
Production: 802 cases
Serving: This wine will drink beautifully upon release, or will age well up to 7 years in your cellar. It is incredibly versatile with food pairings.

ABOUT MATERRA:
Proprietor Brian Cunat, grew up on a Midwest farm, developing a passion for agriculture and farming. He and his wife, Miki, found themselves traveling extensively, touring wineries and enjoying the cuisines of the local countries. In 2007, Brian and his brother purchased a 50-acre property in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. By 2014, they hired an expert team of vineyard managers and winemakers and transformed their property into a state-of-the-art winery capable of producing 150,000 gallons of wine. The Materra winery maintains ongoing efforts to improve their sustainability and since 2017, they have been Napa Green certified. Learn more about the winery here.

Mellow style logoWorks and Days Pinot NoirCoursey Graves Winery
Works and Days
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast, California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is elegant and refined. There are notes of fresh cherry, a hint of strawberry, star anise, dried flowers and crushed stone. The long, persistent finish makes the second drink next to impossible.

Analysis: 14% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Production: 252 cases
Serving: Drink now or regularly over the next 12 years.

VINEYARD:
This wine is a blend of Dijon, California Heritage, and Swiss clones from two Sonoma Coast vineyards planted in 1999 and 2007. Spring Hill is located near the Pacific Ocean on light, sandy soils in western Sonoma County; while the Hill Justice Vineyard is located 5 miles inland on volcanic soil, 1200 feet above sea level. 

VINTAGE AND WINEMAKER NOTES: 
A warm winter with good rainfall led to slightly early bud-break. Early shoot growth was normal and excellent weather encouraged flowering. This led to a larger-than-average crop with great fruit uniformity. 2018 avoided the heat spikes of years prior, meaning even ripening and developed tannins. Vineyards were handpicked and clusters were pressed whole. Wine was native yeast fermented and sur lie aged 12 months in Terracotta Amphora vessels. An additional 5 months of stainless steel barrel aging occurred on lees. The wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered, and free of additives. Minimal amounts of SO2 preserve freshness.

ABOUT COURSEY GRAVES WINERY:
The Coursey Graves Winery operates under the philosophy that farming and winemaking are one practice. Their vineyards are organically farmed without any herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. They are dedicated to preserving their estate with a clean eco-conscience and nurture the essence of the fruit to reflect the time and the place in which it was made. Learn more about their winery here. 

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