August Wine Club Pairing Recipe

AUGUST WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoGeyser_Peak_Walking_Tree_Cabernet_Sauvignon_bottleGeyser Peak Winery
Walking Tree
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

A deep garnet with amethyst refections in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, ripe raspberry and flint follow through to the balanced palate. Bright acidity is supported by the addition of Petit Verdot, adding great roundness. Silky tannins extend on the persistent finish.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
  • Appellation: Alexander Valley, California
  • Analysis: 14.2% alcohol / volume
  • pH: 3.75
  • Residual sugar: 0.4 g/l
  • Total Acidity: 6.4 g/l
  • Critical Acclaim: 92 pts James Suckling 2021

VITICULTURE:
This vintage marks the 16th release of the Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit for this wine is sourced from two excellent Alexander Valley vineyards. The different soils, exposures, and microclimates of these two vineyards adds enticing complexity of aromas and flavors to the finished wine.

VINIFICATION:
Following traditional fermentation methods, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were fermented separately and expertly blended.

INTERESTING FACT:
Ancient oak trees dot the landscape of Alexander Valley, California. Walking Tree takes its name from one of these majestic trees that remarkably “walked” down a steep grade vineyard during heavy rains, all while remaining upright and very much alive.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Geyser Peak Winery has a long and storied history. Founded in 1880, it became the 29th bonded winery in California, and was named for the tremendous view of Geyser Peak Mountain directly outside the winery’s window. The brand has seen a storied past of over 140 years, founded by a local family, changing hands multiple times including management by corporate interests. Today, Geyser Peak has proudly returned to its roots as a family-owned-and-operated business, sourcing fruit from famed wine growing regions of California. The essence of California terroir can be tasted throughout the range of their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more here.


bbq-ribs-blogBarbecue Ribs

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 pounds pork spareribs
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup chile sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup rum
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 dash ground black pepper
  • cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Cut spareribs into serving size portions; wrap in double thickness of foil.

  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 ½ hours. Unwrap and drain drippings (drippings can be frozen to use later in soups). Place ribs in a large roasting pan.

  4. Mix brown sugar, chile sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rum, garlic, mustard, and pepper together in a bowl. Coat ribs with sauce and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.

  5. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Position the grate 4 inches above heat source; grease the grate with cooking spray.

  6. Cook ribs on the preheated grill for 30 minutes, basting with marinade.

Information & Photos © Geyser Peak Winery and © Quintessential – All Rights Reserved.
© Recipe courtesy of SEEsign and Allrecipes Test Kitchen.


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Eola Hills Classic Merlot

Smoked Pomegranate Baby Back Ribs

© Photo by The Modern Proper

Smoked Pomegranate Baby Back Ribs

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 onion
  • 1 head Garlic, halved
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons allspice berries
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 2 sticks cinnamon
  • cup salt
  • 2 rack baby back ribs
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate molasses
  • 1 small onion
  • ½ cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

  1. For the Brine: In a large stock pot bring 1 gallon of water along with onion, garlic, bay leaves, allspice berries, peppercorn, cinnamon sticks and salt to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. Place ribs in pot making sure they are fully submerged in the brine, adding more water if necessary. Cover and allow ribs to soak in brine for 24 hours.
  3. Pomegranate BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. BBQ sauce can be stored for up to 2 weeks in refrigerator.
  4. Ribs: Remove ribs from brine and dry with a paper towel.
  5. When ready to cook, set grill temperature to 180℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
  6. Place ribs directly on grill bone side down. Allow to smoke for 3 hours.
  7. Increase heat on grill to 375°F and preheat, lid closed. Using the pomegranate BBQ sauce, generously coat the ribs and allow to cook for another hour. Meat should be tender but not falling off the bones.
  8. To serve, garnish with minced cilantro. Enjoy!

© Recipe courtesy of The Modern Proper.

JULY WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoClassic MerlotEola Hills Wine Cellars
Classic Merlot

Oregon

MELLOW WINE STYLE

The Eola Hills Classic Merlot is red in color with aromas of plum, cherry, and rosemary blossoms. On the palate, it highlights flavors of red cherries, blueberries, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee beans. It is a rich and robust medium/full bodied wine.

Varietal: Merlot
Analysis: 14.4% alcohol / volume
PH: 3.44
Residual Sugar:
0.2 g/L
Production:
1,270 cases
Brix at Harvest:
23
Sourcing: Applegate & Columbia Valleys
Food Pairing: Look for savory dishes like sautéed wild mushrooms, rosemary infused lamb, pork ribs with pomegranate molasses, or beef roasted with garlic and red wine.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Eola Hills has been crafting Merlot for more than 30 years. This sauve varietal has the capacity to beautifully showcase terroir and various winemaking techniques and continues to be a passion of Eola Hills. This vintage is voluptuous and deliciously fruit-forward. With extended oak aging, this rich style takes on darker fruit characters tinged with the freshness of rosemary blossoms and the intensity of dark chocolate.” – Steve Anderson, Head Winemaker.

ABOUT EOLA HILLS WINE CELLARS:
In the early 1980’s, Oregonian Tom Huggins found himself intrigued by the notion of creating great regional wines in the heart of the Willamette Valley. With close friends and family members, they invested in purchasing 35 acres that Tom thought was ideal for growing grapes. Today, Eola Hills Wine Cellars is still locally owned and operated and one of Oregon’s largest wineries, farming over 325 acres of prime vineyard land. They produce over 80,000 cases of fine wines that are enjoyed across the country and internationally, capturing the spirit and flavors of Oregon. Learn more about their history here.
Boozie Banter Podcast

PODCAST WITH EOLA HILLS WINERY:
WineStyles team recently hosted special guest Brett Huggins of Eola Hills Winery on our Boozie Banter podcast. We talk Oregon wine, his family winery, gleaning, moving to the Midwest and taste 8 wines from their expansive portfolio. Learn more about other exciting wines from Eola Hills! Listen to the full broadcast on Spotify here >

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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Braised Short Ribs with Fine Herbs

braised short ribs

INGREDIENTS:
• 3 pounds beef short ribs
• salt and cracked pepper to taste
• ¼ cup olive oil • 2 slices bacon large dice
• 2 medium onions sliced thin
• 6 cloves of garlic sliced
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced (or 28 ounce can)
• 6 chives roughly chopped • 2 sprigs tarragon (save stems) chop leaves
• 3 sprigs fresh chervil (save stems) chop leaves *mix chervil tarragon and chives together and set aside
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ cup roughly chopped parsley (save stems)
• Butchers twine

DIRECTIONS:
• Season beef ribs with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Brown all sides well then remove the ribs to a plate and brown remaining ribs.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoon of fat in the pan. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat until it renders most of its fat but does not crisp. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Stir in the wine, tomatoes, salt, and a generous grinding of black pepper. Return the ribs to the pot and bring to a simmer.
• Tie up saved herb stems with twine. Tuck them between the ribs in the braising pan. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to very low. Gently simmer until the ribs are tender enough to pierce with a fork and the meat pulls off the bone, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Alternately, if your pan is oven safe, you can braise the beef in the covered pot in a 300-degree oven.
• Take the ribs out of the sauce with tongs and transfer them to a large platter. Remove and discard the herb bundle. Skim off any visible fat on the surface of the sauce. Stir in the chopped mix of herbs and increase the heat to high. Boil the sauce until it thickens enough to coat a spoon. Stir in the parsley. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Spoon the sauce over the meat and serve. © Recipe courtesy of Vintners Alliance.

FEBRUARY WINE CLUB PAIRING:

Chateau Maris Natural Selection Syrah GrenacheBold wine Style logo
Château Maris
Natural Selection
Syrah, Grenache
Languedoc, France

BOLD WINE STYLE

Robert Eden, vintner and co-owner of Château Maris, has lived in France since 1994. After traveling the world and working with renown winemakers, he began his pursuit of organic and biodynamic viticulture at Château Maris. Located within the terroir of Cru La Liviniere in the South of France, the winery is situated at the foot of the Black Mountains. Château Maris is a 79-acre estate divided into multitude of small vineyards on the hillside above the village of Laviniere, the first Cru Classe of the Minervois, in the Languedoc region. Eden’s unwavering pursuits in organic winemaking and biodynamic principles, spans over two decades, three continents and has gained world-recognition. His keen attention to environmentally conscious viticulture and top varietals of French terroir, creates wines that are reliable and a delicious choice for any dinner party with family and friends.

Winemaker Robert Eden“Notes of dark fruits, black currant. Inky purple on the glass. Full-bodied richness, beautifully integrated acidity, ripe tannin and no hard edges. It is soft with juicy tannins. Pairs well with red meat, filets or ribs.” – Robert Eden, Winemaker

Winemaker: Robert Eden
Appellation: Languedoc, France
Varietal: 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache
Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim: 91 pts Wine Advocate, 2017

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, 4 free tasting tickets and special discounts to attend wine tasting events, classes and more!