Skylark Red Belly

Balsamic Brussels SproutsRoasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half through the core — leave the teensy ones whole
  • 4 ounces pancetta, sliced ¼ inch thick, optional
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, or more or less to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon syrupy balsamic vinegar or 1/2 cup standard, store-bought balsamic

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. (If your oven runs cool, set it to 425ºF .)
  • Place the Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet, including any of the loose leaves. Cut the pancetta into ½-inch dice and add to the pan. Add the olive oil, the 1 ½ tsp. salt (or less — start with a teaspoon if you are sensitive to salt) and the ½ teaspoon pepper and toss with your hands. Spread out the mixture in a single layer.
  • Roast the Brussels sprouts until they’re tender and nicely browned and the pancetta is cooked, 20 to 30 minutes, tossing once at the 20-minute mark.
  • Meanwhile, if using standard balsamic vinegar, place it in a small saucepan or frying pan and simmer gently until it is reduced by half and looking syrupy — be careful here! Err on the side of under reducing — once the balsamic starts thickening, it can burn quickly. At the first sign of the balsamic getting too thick or dark, transfer it to a small bowl.
  • Remove pan from the oven, drizzle immediately with the balsamic vinegar and toss again. (or use entire quarter cup of reduced balsamic, but add to taste.) Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of Alexandra Cooks. All rights reserved.

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Skylark-red-belly-wine-bottleMellow style logoSkylark
Red Belly
Mendocino County
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. – Jeb Dunnuck, 90 pts.

WINEMAKING DETAILS:
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 loved the challenges and complexities that came with that tradition. The 2018 Red belly is comprised of 40% Niemi Vineyard Carignan, 40% Ashurst Vineyard Syrah and 20% Sawyer Vineyard Grenache. Each varietal is handpicked fermented separately by native yeasts, 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. They definitely achieved that here.

“To reflect our palates, the portfolio at Skylark includes crisp, flavorful, aromatic white wines and full-bodied, rich, spicy red wines. As we have long admired the beautiful white wines produced in Alsace and Austria, our Pinot Blanc is a California rendition of a classic European varietal.” – John Lancaster and Robert Perkins

Information & Photos © Skylark Wine Company – All Rights Reserved.


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!

Learn More >

 
 
 

 

Skylark Orsi Vineyard Pinot Blanc

Butternut Squash SoupButternut Squash & Apple Soup

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, diced 
  • ½ tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced (about 5–6 cups/800 g)
  • 1 13.5 ounce can of light coconut milk
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Bring a large soup pot to medium-heat and add the oil (for oil-free add a splash of vegetable broth). Add the onion and apple, then sauté until the onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the garlic, rosemary, sage, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, then add in the squash, coconut milk, and vegetable broth.
  3. Raise the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the squash is fork-tender. Carefully use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or transfer to an upright blender and blend on high speed to do the same.
  4. Serve as desired; leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, or can be frozen for up to one month.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of From my Bowl. All rights reserved.

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Crisp Wine StyleSkylark_Pinot_Blanc-wine-bottleSkylark
Orsi Vineyard Pinot Blanc
Mendocino County
North Coast, California

CRISP WINE STYLE

Light straw yellow. Aromas of green apple, lemon skin and tangerine. The palate is sleek and refined, with a mineral component lending structure to the fleshy fruits of apple and citrus. The beautiful interplay of fruit and acidity results in a silky fruit impression folding into a fresh and palate-cleansing finish. – Jeb Dunnuck, 90 points

WINEMAKING DETAILS:
This vintage is a beautiful rendition of Orsi Vineyard Pinot Blanc. The Skylark team has been farming this Mendocino vineyard with Berni Orsi since 2005, watching this heritage site deal with the fickle harvest weather with stubborn grace. The year began with a difficult flowering where frost reduced yields in April. Summer was warm but not hot until late August, when daily 100 degree temperatures scorched the North Coast. The grapes were picked on August 31, right before the heart of the heat spike, preserving natural acidity with plenty of phenolic ripeness. This vintage will be remembered as a small harvest in California with memorable wines – Orsi Vineyard Pinot Blanc will fit right in that category.

“We strive to produce wines that crystallize our passion within each bottle. Because of our relationships with meticulous and respected grape growers, we have been able to produce wines of distinction and character that represent the best of what Northern California vineyards have to offer. We are proud of Skylark and hope to continue share these wines with family and friends, old and new.” – John Lancaster and Robert Perkins

Information & Photos © Skylark Wine Company – All Rights Reserved.


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!

Learn about our Memberships >

 
 
 

 

 

Château Haut Barrail Red Bordeaux

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 WISCONSIN WINE CLUB:

Chateau Haut Barrail wine bottleBold wine Style logoChâteau Haut Barrail
Cru Bourgeois
Red Bordeaux

Médoc, France

BOLD WINE STYLE

Château Haut Barrail is situationed in the Bordeaux region called Médoc. The wine grows on gentle hillsides facing Gironde, with good natural drainage.  This wine has intense garnet color with black tendencies. Aromas of ripe fruit and toasted almonds, with a soft and fruity lingering finish. Médoc wines go extremely well with numerous foods and show their full power when accompanied with white and red meats, game, fish in red sauce and firm-bodied cheese.

Varietal: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis:
14%.5 alcohol / volume
Aging: 12 months in 60% new barrels and 40% old barrels
Critical Acclaim: 92 pts James Suckling 2018; 91 pts Decanter 2018; 90 Vinous 2016

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Produced with sustainable agriculture practices and pruning in double Guyot. Leaf-stripping and traditional winemaker. Cold maceration during 24 hours minimum, with natural yeasts. Fermentation in stainless steel thermo-regulated vats.

ABOUT CHÂTEAU HAUT BARRAIL:
Château Haut Barrail and its windmill, has been around since 1362. The oldest parts of the current house were built at the beginning of the 17th-century.  Nowadays, it represents the typical architecture of the 18th-century, with engraved vines and wheat on the stonework. The Cyrill Gillet Domains are situated in the center of the Médoc area on the Begadon district, spread across 37 acres. Owners since 1987, the Gillet family has done a lot to restore the estate. The first vintage of Château Haut Barrail was 1995.

© Information and Photos provided by Château Haut Barrail and Decanter.


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!

Learn about our Memberships >

 
 
 

 

Anne de Joyeuse Orchis Chardonnay

Butternut Squash GratinButternut Squash Gratin

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for the baking dish
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 1 garlic clove thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ pounds (about 1 large) butternut squash peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
  • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
  • ¾ cup grated Comté cheese
  • few chives finely chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter a 10-inch (25-centimeter) baking dish.
  2. In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, 4 minutes.
  3. Add the butternut squash slices and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Transfer the squash mixture to the baking dish. Smother with the cream, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, scatter the cheese on top, and dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces.
  5. Bake until the surface is golden and bubbly and the butternut squash is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the chives, if desired.

© Recipe courtesy of Leite’s Culinaria.

NOVEMBER WISCONSIN WINE CLUB:

Silky styleAnne de Joyeuse ChardonnayAnne de Joyeuse
Orchis
Chardonnay
Pays D’OC
Languedoc, France

SILKY WINE STYLE

Produced in the Languedoc-Roussillion region in France, by Cave Anne de Joyeuse, this Chardonnay comes from the Vin de Pays D’OC appellation. Bright pale gold in color with scents of white flowers on the nose, evolving on the palate towards notes of white fruit and a fresh, citrus finish.  Fine and well balanced, it will accompany all sorts of fish dishes and will also be ideal as an aperitif. 

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Analysis:
13% alcohol / volume

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Grapes were pressed directly on their arrival at the cellar, then vinified traditionally and fined at cold temperatures. They are then fermented under controlled temperatures.

ABOUT ANNE DE JOYEUSE:
The Anne de Joyeuse cooperative is named after a well-known 16th-centruy figure, the Duke of Joyeuse, who was bestowed the lordship of Limoux by Henry III.  The cooperative includes 350 winegrowing families and 3000 hectares under vine.  The producers of the Anne de Joyeuse company have constantly worked on the evolution of their vineyard since 1929. The wines are created in their state-of-art cellar with genuine passion, reflecting their love the terroir and desire to produce the best value possible.  For the last 25 years, Anne de Joyeuse has focused on the environment, reinforced in 2007 by the creation of their sustainable development charter, Protect Planet, helping cooperative producers implement sustainable winegrowing techniques.  Their vineyards are at the crossroads of four major climate zones and seven types of soil. This exceptional location shapes the quality and uniqueness of their wines. Learn more >

© Information and Photos provided by Anne de Joyeuse.

Map of vineyards


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!

Learn about our Memberships >