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Syrah-braised Lamb Shoulder

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syrah-braised-lamb-shoulderINGREDIENTS:
•  2 tablespoons ground cumin
•  3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•  Salt and freshly ground pepper
•  One 5-pound boneless lamb shoulder roast, tied
• 1 bottle Alberti El Necio Syrah
• 4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 12 thyme sprigs, tied with string

DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a small bowl, mix the cumin with 2 tablespoons of the oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the lamb.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Add the lamb shoulder and brown it well over moderately high heat, about 15 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a large plate. Wipe out the casserole.

Return the lamb to the casserole.  Add the wine, chicken stock and thyme sprigs and bring to a boil. Cover with a tight- fitting lid and transfer the casserole to the oven. Braise the lamb for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning the meat occasionally, until tender.Transfer the lamb to a large platter and cover with foil.  Discard the thyme sprigs. Boil the braising liquid until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 40 minutes.

Remove the strings from the roast. Slice the lamb, transfer to plates or a platter and spoon the sauce on top.  Recipe compliments of Bodega Calle

mellowElNecio_SyrahBodega Calle
Alberti 154 El Necio
Reserva Syrah
Mendoza, Argentina

Located in the prestigious wine region of Luján de Cuyo, Bodega Calle produces high quality wines in a sustainable way.   2012 marks their  sixth Syrah vintage.  Access to a superb vineyard in Argrelo allows Bodega Calle to make a small quantity of concentrated, memorable wine via organic farming.  Bright purple in the glass, with roasted aromas of dark cherry, ripe blackberry, bacon fat and vanilla.  Cocoa and licorice notes saturate the palate and wine finishes round and direct.

Winemaker: Matteo Viana
Appellation: Alto Agrelo, Argentina
Varietal Blend:  100% Syrah
Analysis: 15.0% alc/volume

Pork Medallions with Cherries

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pork-cherriesINGREDIENTS:
•  1 lb. pork loin cut into ½ inch medallions
•  Salt to season
•  1 sprig fresh rosemary
•  2 cloves garlic, minced
•  2 Tbsp Olive Oil
•  1 cup Sera Fina Barbera wine
•  ½ cup beef broth
•  3 tsp brown sugar
•  1 Tbsp honey
•  ¼ cup dried tart cherries

DIRECTIONS:
Lightly season medallions with salt, rosemary, and garlic. In a skillet, heat olive oil on high; when hot, add medallions. Cook 3-5 min each side until browned. Remove meat from pan; set aside. Add Barbera to skillet on high heat, scrapping bits from bottom of the pan. Reduce to medium high heat for 10 minutes. Stir in beef broth, sugar, honey and cherries. Continue to reduce for 10 more minutes. Add medallions and serve.

Sera_Fina_Barbera_WinemellowSera Fina Cellars
Barbera
Amador County, CA

The vineyards of Amador County range from 800 feet to over 1800 feet in elevation. Since they lie in the Sierra Foothills, cool air falling from higher elevations mitigates the warm daytime with much lower morning and evening temperatures. The soils are mainly decomposed granite and are relatively infertile. Therefore, the wines develop lushness, depth and character. Serafina Cellars is headquartered in Plymouth. In the gold rush years of the 1850’s, Plymouth was called Pokerville and was probably a wild town for miners.  Paul Scotto is both the winemaker and the owner of Serafina cellars.

Winemaker: Paul Scotto
Appellation: Amador County, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Barbera
Analysis: 14.25% alc/vol

Semillon Chicken

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semillon-chickenINGREDIENTS:
•  4 chicken breasts (boneless, with or without skin)
•  1 lemon
•  2 cloves garlic
•  Black pepper
•  2+ cups Steele Canyon Cellars Semillon

DIRECTIONS:Rinse chicken breasts and place in a plastic container.  Add garlic cloves, pepper to taste, juice from 1/2 lemon and enough wine to cover.  Cover tightly and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

Remove, drain the chicken, sprinkle lightly with lemon juice and grill over a medium fire until done; can also be baked at 375°F in the oven.  Serve warm with Steele Canyon Semillon as an entrée or sandwich filling.  Recipe compliments of Steele Canyon Cellars.

 

Canyon_Cellars_Steele_SemillonSteele Canyon Cellars
Silky_StickerSemillon
Napa Valley, CA

Steele Canyon Cellars is located in the rolling, heavily wooded hills of eastern Napa, just south of Lake Berryessa.   This 2012 release is Steele Canyon Cellar’s first Napa Valley Semillon.  It was hand harvested in small baskets from the Silverado Trail vineyard on October 23, 2013 at 23.7 brix.  The fruit was rushed to the winery to start a long, cool fermentation using QA 23 yeast.  After fermentation, the wine was divided into two parts, one aged in stainless steel and the other in second vintage French oak barrels in Steele Canyon Cellar’s aging cave.  This is an appealing white wine alternative to pour before meals, or serve with baked chicken or roasted turkey.

 

Winemaker: Paul Scotto
Appellation: Silverado Trail, Napa Valley, CA
Varietal Blend:  100% Semillon
Analysis: 13.5% alc/volume

Bittersweet Chocolate Bing Cherry Brownies

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bing cherry brownie wine pairingINGREDIENTS:
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup Bing cherries, pitted and quartered

DIRECTIONS:Whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and sugar until smooth. Slowly melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler. Add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture and whisk until incorporated. Sift together the flour and cocoa and fold into the mixture. Fold in the cherries. Spread the batter into a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until just done. Let cool in the pan and cut into 2-inch squares.  Makes 16 brownies

Canyon_Cellars_Steele_CellarsSteele Canyon CellarsBold_sticker
Pinot Noir
Napa Valley, California

Steele Canyon Cellars is located in the rolling, heavily wooded hills of eastern Napa, just south of Lake Berryessa.  It was originally constructed as a custom crush facility to ferment and age small lots of artisan wine made from the local vineyards.  The Scotto Family discovered the property in 2010 during their search for a Napa winery where they could produce limited release, hand crafted Napa wines.  Several months later, they also acquired the rights to all of the harvest from a nearby vineyard on the Silverado Trail, giving them the facility and the premium fruit required for their Napa releases.

Winemaker: Paul Scotto
Appellation: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend:  94% Pinot Noir, 6% Syrah
Analysis: 13.0% alc/vol

Surf and Turf Skewers

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surfturfskewersGLAZE:
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 4 teaspoons sherry wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground

SKEWERS:
• 6 skewers, metal or bamboo. If bamboo, soak in water at least 1hr before grilling.
• 18-20 extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12-18 cherry tomatoes
• 12-18 pieces sun-dried tomato & basil chicken sausage, pre-cooked, cut in 1 inch rounds
• 12-18 red onion wedges, cut 2-layer bite sized section

GARNISH
• Lemon & Lime

DIRECTIONS:
Can be done up to 6 hours ahead of time. Refrigerate until ready to grill.  Blend oil, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, sherry wine vinegar, sea salt and black pepper in bowl for glaze. Divide glaze into two small bowls. Reserve one for dipping sauce.

Skewer shrimp, cherry tomatoes, sausage pieces and onion wedges, alternating ingredients. 3 shrimp per skewer. Set grill to medium-high heat. Brush each skewer with glaze on both sides. Grill shrimp until opaque in center, about 6-8 minutes. Turn occasionally while cooking, brushing with glaze each time.

Remove from grill and arrange skewers on platter. Serve with reserved bowl of glaze. Garnish with lemon and lime slices. Recipe compliments of Cline Cellars.

Cline_Heritage_ZinfandelCline Cellars
Bold_stickerHeritage Zinfandel
Contra Costa, California

This luscious Zinfandel comes from Cline’s prized Big Break, Live Oak and Bridgehead vineyards located in Oakley, California. All within a two mile radius of one another, these vineyards are planted in deep sand soil, are dry-farmed and head-pruned, and employ farming practices that were originally used by the Italian and Portuguese immigrants that inhabited the area before the turn of the century. Grapes were harvested at natural high sugar levels and almost entirely de-stemmed and lightly crushed, with a large proportion of whole berries remaining in the must. After eight days of gentle “pump-overs” and near dryness, the wine was pressed and put down to French oak for 14 months.charlie-tsegeletos

“The Heritage Zinfandel is big and flavorful, with notes of chocolate, mint, sweet berries, spice and coffee – a classic example of the big-boned Zinfandels for which Cline Cellars has become known. The wine’s acidity and tannins are firm, but balanced, creating a luscious wine.” – Charlie Tsegeletos, winemaker.

Winemaker: Charlie Tsegeletos
Appellation: Contra Costa County, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Zinfandel
Analysis: 15.5% alc/vol

Smoked Trout Rillette

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trout-spreadINGREDIENTS:
• 8 oz. smoked trout or other smoked fish
• 6 oz. unsalted butter, softened
• Juice of one half lemon, or to taste
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne, or to taste
• 2 Tbsp. anchovy paste
• 1 ½ Tbsp. capers, rinsed, dried, minced
• Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Shred trout, removing any bones and skin or pulse in a food processor—about 3 pulses.

Melt butter in a saucepan with lemon juice, cayenne, and anchovy paste. Blend with a whisk and cook at low simmer for three minutes. Remove from heat and stir in trout and the capers. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to an eight-ounce crock or ramekin and chill until the butter is solid, preferable overnight to allow flavors to blend. Bring to room temperature before serving. Serve with crostini. The dish will keep in the refrigerator for a week.  Yield: 8 – 12 servings.

JacuzziNecker_ArneisJacuzzi Family Vineyards
crispArneis
Sonoma, California

These grapes were planted in two California vineyards; one planted in the Sonoma Coast AVA and the other in Paicines. The Sonoma Coast vineyard is located in the Petaluma Gap, an area where the challenging dark adobe soil and cool weather challenges grapes to ripen. In Paicines grapes are planted in heavy, well-drained limestone soil much sought after for grape varieties like Pinot Noir. This Arneis is “deficit irrigated” which means irrigating below full crop-water requirements. This keeps the vine in a slight state of water stress early in its growth period leading to less wood, smaller berries and higher flavor concentration.charlie-tsegeletos

“Arneis is an ancient variety grown near Alba in Piemonte, Italy. Arneis has been referred to as “Barolo Bianco” and the name means “little rascal” in the regional dialect. The grape can be hard to grow as it is late in ripening and prone to rot. The wine is distinctive, medium-bodied and aromatic with refreshing mandarin orange and lime nuances.” – Charlie Tsegeletos, winemaker

Winemaker: Charlie Tsegeletos
Appellation: Sonoma, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Arneis
Analysis: 14% alc/vol

Spicy Sausage Pasta

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pasta-sausageINGREDIENTS:
• 1 ½ lbs hot turkey Italian sausage
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp dried basil
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 3 (28 oz) cans chopped tomatoes
• 6 oz tomato paste
• ½ cup Aglianico
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1 lb spaghetti

DIRECTIONS:
In a large pot over medium-high heat; brown sausages on all sides. Remove from heat; set aside. Heat oil; add onion, garlic and seasonings; sauté 5 minutes. Cut sausages into 1-inch pieces. Add sausages, tomatoes, paste, wine and butter to pot. Reduce heat; simmer 1 hour. Cook spaghetti according to directions. Serve sausage and tomato sauce over cooked spaghetti.  Enjoy with a glass of Jacuzzi Aglianico.

Jacuzzi_AglianicoJacuzzi Family Vineyards
AglianicoBold_sticker
Paso Robles, CA

Aglianico is an ancient variety that was thought to have been planted in Southern Italy in Campania and Basilicata in the seventh century B.C. The name is derived from “Hellinica” which means “Greek” providing a clue to its origins. Jacuzzi’s Aglianico is grown in a Paso Robles vineyard shadowed by Black Mountain. The vineyard receives less than 11 inches of rain per year and is influenced by cool air due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The Aglianico grapes are handpicked and de-stemmed without crushing. This is a very gentle process that minimizes the pick-up of bitter components from the skins and seeds. The fermenting wine is tasted daily and once the desired tannin level is achieved the wine is pressed using our low-pressure “tank press”.charlie-tsegeletos

“Aglianico’s rich blackberry flavors are intertwined with savory notes of coffee, wild mushrooms and figs finishing with moderate tannins. It’s best with baked pastas, roasted lamb or a big sausage-topped pizza.” — Charlie Tsegeletos, winemaker

Winemaker: Charlie Tsegeletos
Appellation: Paso Robles, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Aglianico
Analysis: 13% alc/vol

Garam Masala-crusted Chicken with Fig Jus

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GARAM MASALA:roasted-chicken-recipe
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup coriander seeds
• 1/4 cup cardamom pods, seeds removed
• 1 bay leaf
• Two 3-inch cinnamon sticks
• 1 1/2 tablespoons whole cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Finely grind the whole spices in batches in a spice grinder. Transfer each batch to a coarse strainer set over a bowl. Sift the ground spices into the bowl and add the mace, ginger and nutmeg. Whisk to blend. (Garam masala can be stored in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dry place

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Two 3 1/2-pound chickens
• Salt
• 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
• 4 dried Black Mission figs, stemmed and quartered
• 1/4 cup honey
• Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a small bowl, mix the garam masala with the oil. In a roasting pan, rub the chickens all over with the garam masala oil and season with salt. Roast the chickens for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue roasting for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting twice. Return the oven temperature to 450°F and crisp. Transfer the chickens to a carving board and let them rest for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock with the garlic and tamarind paste and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the garlic is very soft, about 40 minutes. Strain the stock through a coarse sieve and press the garlic through. Stir in the figs and honey, cover and let steep until the figs are
tender, about 10 minutes. Carve the chicken. Reheat the fig jus, season with salt and pepper and serve with the chicken. Makes 4 servings. Recipe courtesy of FoodandWine.com

Carnelian_Grenache_wineThe Carnelian Project
FruityGrenache
McLaren Vale, Australia

The McLaren Vale wine region is blessed with a wonderful climate for viticulture. It is located just south of Adelaide in South Australia. McLaren Vale is the Grenache stronghold of Australia. Quite a few of the older plantings of this fine variety survived the vine pull schemes of the 1980’s and are now regarded as living treasures. The fruit for this wine is considered such a treasure – sourced from two 40+ year old vineyards, the fruit was low yielding, concentrating flavors. Grenache is an excellent pairing for complex, spicy and earthy dishes as its bright fruit forward character and mild tannin structure balance the contrast of flavors. We chose a spice rubbed chicken with fig and honey as an inspired pairing for this wine.

DougFrost“A bright and fruity wine comprised of red raspberries and strawberries, with just a touch of black pepper and notes of mint and basil too. The oak notes creep up in the finish: toasty, even slightly chocolately.” – Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine

Winemaker: Douglas Danielak
Appellation: McLaren Vale, Australia
Varietal Blend:  100% Grenache
Analysis: 14.8% alc/vol

Grilled Mahi Mahi with Mango

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INGREDIENTS:grilled-fish-mahi-mango
• 4 Mahi Mahi filets, 5–6 oz each
• 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil, Extra Virgin
• 1 Lemon, juice
• 2 Tbsp Mango Chutney

DIRECTIONS:Combine garlic, spice, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor until well blended. Marinate the fish up to 1 hour before grilling.

Heat grill to medium heat (about 400°F). If you have a fish plate for your grill, allow it to preheat as well. Place fish on the grill, skin side down first. Cook for 4–5 minutes before flipping. Cook opposite side for 4–5 minutes, until fish is opaque in the center.

Serve topped with mango chutney and a sprig of cilantro. Serves 4. Complement with a side of cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables.

CambridgeCambridge-ChardonnayRich
Chardonnay
Carneros, California

After two consecutive challenging harvests, this vintage was just what the wine doctor ordered. A mild, frost-free winter led into a calm spring, creating ideal conditions for fruit to set on the vines. The summer months were warm but absent of any crushing heat waves. Most importantly, fall was sun-filled and tranquil, allowing growers to ripen their crop to its fullest potential. This was truly a vintage for the artists among wine makers. In the Carneros appellation, many mornings began with a cool fog blanketing the vineyards. By noon the fog retreated and the sun bathed the chardonnay grapes in calm, warm conditions. Pairs well with grilled mahi-mahi with a mango chutney and a salad of mixed bitter greens.

DougFrost“A gentle and balanced style of Chardonnay,this Carneros-based wine shows rich and peachy flavors of California Chardonnay but without the wild, buttery character so typical of its Napa neighbors further inland. Tropical notes and a touch of spice are very lightly tinged with spicy oak character” – Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine

Appellation: Carneros, California
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Analysis: 14.4% alc/vol
Aging: 30% in one year old French oak barrels, 70% in stainless steel tanks

Good Eats Meatloaf

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Meatloaf-recipe-webINGREDIENTS:
• 6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and broken
• 3 whole cloves garlic
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 18 ounces ground chuck
• 18 ounces ground sirloin
• 1 1/2 teaspoon
• kosher salt
• 1 egg

GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup catsup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Dash hot pepper sauce

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 325 °F. In a food processor bowl, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Pulse until the mixture is of a fine texture. Place this mixture into a large bowl. Combine the onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper in the food processor bowl. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, but not pureed. Combine the vegetable mixture, ground sirloin, and ground chuck with the bread crumb mixture. Season the meat mixture with the kosher salt. Add the egg and combine thoroughly, but avoid squeezing the meat.

Pack this mixture into a 10-inch loaf pan to mold the shape of the meatloaf. Onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, turn the meatloaf out of the pan onto the center of the tray.  Insert a temperature probe at a 45 degree angle into the top of the meatloaf. Set the probe for 155 °F.

Combine the catsup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes. Yields 6 to 8 servings. Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown, foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown

Carnelian_CabernetThe Carnelian ProjectBold_sticker
Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra, Australia

Coonawarra is renowned as one of Australia’s finest wine regions and is particularly known for producing world class red wines especially Cabernet Sauvignon. This Coonawarra Vintage is described as “excellent” by all winemakers. Coonawarra and its famous ‘terra rossa’ strip of limestone rich soil is home to some of Australia’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. A cooler, maritime climate and limited rainfall are conducive to growing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. An easy partner to a variety of foods, including hearty pastas and dishes with good spicy and smoky notes.

DougFrost“A tangy, red fruits version of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, this is very much a Cabernet begging for grilled chicken or pork. Its crisp side is more evident than the more heavy, dour face that many other New World Cabernets might show. Its aromatic character (mint, cedar and eucalyptus) reflects the landscape around Coonawarra in South Australia, where these grapes are grown.” – Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine

Winemaker: Douglas Danielak
Appellation: Coonawarra, Australia
Varietal Blend:  91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Shiraz, 1% Sangiovese
Analysis: 14.5% alc/vol