November Premium Wine Club

Posted on October 27, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Robert Mondavi Winery
Oakville Cabernet Franc 2018
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Oakville Cabernet Franc is a complex wine with notes of black currant, black plum, and unsweetened cocoa on the nose. On the palate, there are flavors of juicy blackberries, savory herbs and fresh tobacco.

Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Oakville District, Napa Valley, California
Food Pairing: Pair with robust meats and complex vegetables

HARVEST:
The grapes selected for the Oakville Cabernet Franc are grown on low fertility, well-drained soils with optimal sun exposure; this allows the winery to yield great fruit maturity and aromatics which Cabernet Franc is prized for.

ABOUT ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY:
Robert Mondavi built his winery in Northern California in 1966, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and other key grape varieties to create some of the world’s finest wine. Today, Robert Mondavi Winery produces critically acclaimed, top-rated, world-class wines adored by industry experts, master sommeliers and consumers alike. Additionally, they are a Napa Green Certified winery and partnered with Napa County Resource Conservation District, creating the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group (NSWG). Learn more about the winery and their vineyards here.

Browne Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington

BOLD WINE STYLE

“Beautiful aromas of toasted oak with foxy grape and black fruit notes lead into flavors of dates, huckleberries and black cherries. Bold tannins stick to the palate leaving a lingering finish of licorice and berry compote. This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with wild game like elk or venison and earthy wild mushrooms.” – Winemaker, John Freeman

Analysis: 14.91% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
TA: 5.5 g/l
pH: 3.89
Aged: 21 months
Harvest Date: October 5th-November 1st, 2017

HARVEST:
The 2017 harvest was far more normal than the warmer and larger than average harvests from 2012-2016. A rainy spring led to a dry, warm summer, making for excellent fruit development in the Browne Family Vineyards. By the time of harvest, their fruit showed phenolic ripeness with balanced sugar, acids and tannins in the fruit skins.

ABOUT BROWNE FAMILY VINEYARDS:
Browne Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington and throughout the Columbia Valley AVA. Inspired by William Bitner Browne, the late grandfather of their proprietor, Andrew Browne, the winery continues to be committed to producing world-class wines with cellar-worthy vintages that stand the test of time. Learn more about the family winery and vineyard here.

Join our PREMIUM WINE CLUB, enjoy amazing wines every other month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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November Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on October 24, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Porto Menéres
Porto Fine Ruby
Douro, Portugal

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Porto Fine Ruby wine is rich and full bodied with notes of red fruit, such as plums and raspberry.

Analysis: 19.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao
TA: 3.7 g/l
Residual Sugar: 100 g/l
pH: 3.79
VA: 0.4
Vintage: NV
Wine Type: Ruby Port DOC
Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Douro, Portugal
Elaboration: Handpicked in small bins. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged in large oak casks.
Production: 500 cases
Winemaker: Alvaro Van Zeller

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

HARVEST AND PRODUCTION:
Grapes are sourced for the company estates of Quinta do Saião (220 acres) and Quinta de Zom (200 acres). The grapes are hand cut, harvested in baskets and delivered to the Quinta to be sorted and crusted with the stems. Prior to fermentation, they are cold macerated for a full day, then fermented with native yeasts in open top stainless steel vats under temperature control until about half of the grapes’ nature sugar is consumed. The fermenting wine is drained off its skins and stems when it reaches about 100-120 g/l of residual sugar; it is then fortified with a fine, 150 proof grape brandy from Spain. After the harvest, the wine stays at the adega (or winery), in the Douro. Here, it is left to settle until the following spring before it is taken to the lodges at the Vila Nova de Gaia (next to the Atlantic coast and Porto) where it is matured, blended and bottled. The Menéres Ruby Port is a blend of selected young ports matured in large oak vats (or “tonels”) keeping a young fruit character.

Porto Menéres
Porto Fine Tawny
Douro, Portugal

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Small oak barrel aging has lent the Porto Fine Tawny to have a softened mellow texture with an intense complex nose. This softness complements the raisiny fruity flavors.

Analysis: 19.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao
TA: 3.5 g/l
Residual Sugar: 106 g/l
pH: 3.68
VA: 0.2
Vintage: NV
Wine Type: Fine Tawny Port DOC
Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Douro, Portugal
Elaboration: Handpicked in small bins. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged in large oak casks.
Production: 500 cases
Winemaker: Alvaro Van Zeller
Critical Acclaims: 95 pts, Wine & Spirits

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

HARVEST AND PRODUCTION:
The Tawny Port follows the exact same harvest and production steps as the Menéres Ruby Port. The one key difference is that the Tawny Port is made of a selection of aged ports from small oak barrels, blended to obtain the house style before it is bottled.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Fernando Van Zeller owns and operates both the largest and fastest growing independent Port companies in Portugal today. The family operated company comes from 14 uninterrupted generations in the Port trade, making them the longest continual run family in the region. The company in its current form was created when the family sold Quinta Do Noval in the 1990s, a transaction made to gain additional funds to expand the estate vineyard holdings and to maintain/expand the library stocks the Van Zeller family has long been associated with. During this sale, the Van Zeller family was able to hold onto thousands of barrels of aged wine, making them the deepest and most sought-after stocks of aged tawny in Portugal. Today, Menéres is one of the four Port brands this independent firm produces, named after their family ancestor, Arnaldo Menéres. The Menéres house specializes in 20 Year Tawny, 40 Year Tawny, and heirloom Colheitas. It is the highest quality line of Port that the Van Zeller family produces. The wines are classic in style, complex and true to character.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

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Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on October 23, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage and Gruyère Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

4 Tbsp. (½ stick) (2 oz./60 g) unsalted butter, melted
1 loaf sourdough bread, about 1 lb. (500 g), crust removed and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes
5 slices bacon, chopped
1 lb. (500 g) pork breakfast sausage, casings removed
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 eggs
3 cups (24 fl. oz./750 ml) turkey or chicken stock
1 cup (4 oz./125 g) grated Gruyère cheese
¼ cup (1/4 oz./7 g) chopped fresh sage
2 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C). Using the melted butter, grease the bottom and sides of 9″x13″ (23cm x 33cm) baking dish.
Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until dried but not browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Leave the oven on.
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until most of the fat is rendered but the bacon is not yet crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Add the onion, celery and garlic and continue cooking until the vegetables are softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Add the stock and whisk until combined.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage mixture to a very large bowl; discard any fat and liquid remaining in the pan. Add the bread cubes and cheese to the bowl and toss to combine. Add the stock mixture to the bowl and toss until the bread cubes are evenly moistened. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. Stir in the sage and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared dish and bake until the stuffing is set and the top is golden brown and lightly crisped, about 40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Serves 10 to 12.

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Estate Cellars
2019 Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Coast, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red wines and at Clos LaChance there is no exception. Cabernet is the largest volume of acreage for a single varietal on their estate and made up of over six different clones on four different root stocks. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has always been a top performer for quality and the flag ship of the Clos LaChance portfolio. They stay true to the style and the terroir on their Estate that presents an approachable and elegant style of Cabernet that is crafted for your everyday indulgence. The wine is ready to drink now and can be laid down for several years as well.

TASTING NOTES:
Dark Plum in color, the 2019 Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied with medium acid and high tannins. On the nose, there are flavors of cassis, tea leaf, and blackberry jam. On the palate, there are notes of cedar, huckleberry and molasses.

Varietal: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec
Appellation: Central Coast, California
Analysis: 14% alcohol / volume
Aged: 16 months on 25% new French oak, 10% new American oak, 65% neutral French and American oak
Harvest Date: Oct. 2 – Oct. 31
Average Brix at Harvest: 25.0
pH: 3.61
TA: 0.62
Sugar: 0.13 g/L
Food Pairings: Braised Short Ribs, Vegetarian Lasagna
Cheese Pairings: Gruyére, or with the November Cheese Club selections.

Critical Acclaim: 95 pts. justwinepoints.com

WINEMAKER NOTES:
The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from some of the finest vineyards throughout the Central Coast of California, ranging from San Francisco and Livermore in the north to Paso Robles in the south. The grapes are handpicked and hand sorted prior to a 72-hour cold soak at 40°F. During fermentation, the wine is pumped over four times per day during peak fermentation to maximize extraction. Post fermentation, the wine is held on skins for 24 hours to extend maceration and provide even more color and tannin extraction. The wine is then aged on 25% new French oak and 10% new American oak, and the remainder is aged on a mix of neutral American and French oak.

HARVEST NOTES:
The 2019 Estate Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon, similar to the previous two vintages, was notated as one of the latest starts to their season’s harvest. The winters have prolonged their growing seasons as the increasingly wet soils allow the vines time to mature at a healthy rate. The above average rainfall in the spring gave rise to a later than average bud break and bloom, which allowed the weather time to warm up and decrease any concerns of destructive frost. The summer temperatures were well below the seasonal average with only four days of 100+ degree temperatures (in previous years, they saw 11-16 days over 100 degrees). These even and mild temperature changes gave the winery an ideal growing season that pushed them well into November. They believe this hang time has shaped up to provide high quality wine and one of their best vintages to date.

ABOUT ESTATE CELLARS:
From the family owned and operated winery Clos LaChance, based in the Northern Central Coast region of California, Estate Cellars was established as their secondary, high-quality line made to reach additional markets with a unique label. Clos LaChance Winery and Estate Vineyard is proud to be Certified Sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The winery stays true to the style of their terroir by creating approachable and elegant wines. Learn more here.

Join 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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October Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on September 28, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Willi Haag
Juffer Brauneberg Auslese
Grosse Lage Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Honeysuckle and crushed minerals give a modest introduction to this light-footed Auslese (select harvest) wine. The palate is bursting with ripe flavors of yellow-peach and pineapple. The wine’s sharp, zippy acidity lends balanced to a long finish.

Analysis: 8.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Riesling
Region: Brauneberg, Mosel, Germany
Critical Acclaim: 91 points – Wine Enthusiast

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Willi Haag Estate has been in the family more than 500 years – now run by Marcus Haag, the grandson of Willi Haag. Marcus took over the entire management in 1997 after completing his viniculture studies. Today, Marcus combines his family’s wine-making traditions with modern viniculture approaches to produce award winning wines. Learn more about the winery and its vineyards here.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

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Alella Vinícola Costa Del Maresme

Posted on September 27, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Credit: © Tina Rupp

Skirt Steak with Moroccan Spice Rub and Yogurt Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

1 ¼ pounds skirt steak, cut into 6-inch lengths
3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons Moroccan Spice Rub
¾ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, smashed
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
salt and freshly ground pepper
4 large pita breads, for serving
Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Light a grill. Rub the steaks all over with 3 tablespoons of the spice rub and let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, scallions, garlic, jalapeños and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice rub. Stir in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Brush the steaks lightly with olive oil and grill over high heat, turning occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare meat. Brush the pitas with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks across the grain. Transfer the steaks to a platter and serve with the toasted pita, yogurt sauce and lettuce leaves.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Alella Vinícola
Costa del Maresme
Alella, Spain

MELLOW WINE STYLE

The Costa del Maresme is 100% Mediterranean in character. The nose and palate both highlight the ripe bunches of the Red Grenache and Syrah grapes.

Varietal: 90% Red Grenache, 10% Syrah

Vineyard: Viña Rials

Analysis: 14.0% alcohol / volume
Aging: Aged over lees around 8 months
Yield: 22 Hl/Ha
Vine aged: 35 years
Farming: Organic without herbicide, insecticide and inorganic fertilizers
Pruning: Royat doble
Height and exposition: 100 m, SE
Soil: Granites (“Sauló”)
Climate: Maritime Mediterranean
Winemaker: Xavier Garcia
Annual Production: 12,000 bottles
Aging Potential: Drink now or mature for up to 4 years

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Depending on the final ripeness of the different vineyards and varieties, each harvest’s final blend is formed. Varietal base was shared by Red Grenache and complemented with Syrah.” – Alella Vinícola

ABOUT ALELLA VINÍCOLA:
Alella Vinícola is a family winery passed down from generation to generation since 1906. Located just 9 miles north of Barcelona, the winery currently produces, makes and bottles wines and cavas in two designated origins, D.O. Alella and D.O. Cava. Now owned and operated by brothers Samuel and Xavier Garcia, they produce around 90,000 bottles each year, comprised of a dozen different wines. The brothers continue ensure they are producing all of their wines organically, free of herbicides, insecticides and inorganic fertilizers. Learn more about winery here.

Join 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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Marfil Blanc Sec

Posted on September 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Spanish Paella

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive Oil (Spanish EVOO if you have it)
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (or try ½ red and ½ green)
4 cloves Garlic
3 Roma tomatoes, very finely diced (or 8 oz. tomato sauce)
bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
1 pinch saffron threads*
salt and pepper
¼ cup white wine
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces*
¼ cup flat leaf parsley chopped, divided
2 cups Spanish Rice*
5 cups chicken broth*
½ cup frozen Peas
½ lb. jumbo shrimp or prawns , about 12 – peeled, tail on
½ lb. mussels (about 10-12), cleaned properly (beards off)
8 oz calamari rings
lemons, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add chopped tomato, bay leaf, paprika, saffron salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add white wine and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
Add chicken pieces, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and rice to the pot. Cook for 1 minute.
Pour the broth slowly all around the pan and jiggle the pan to get the rice into an even layer. (Do not stir the mixture going forward!).
Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Give the pan a gentle shake back and forth just once or twice during cooking. (We don’t ever stir the rice, so that a crispy crust forms at the bottom, called a socarrat).
Cook for about 15-18 minutes (uncovered), then nestle the shrimp, mussels and calamari into the mixture, sprinkle peas on top and continue to cook (without stirring) for about 5 more minutes. Watch for most of the liquid to be absorbed and the rice at the top nearly tender. (If for some reason your rice is still not cooked, add ¼ cup more water or broth and continue cooking).
Remove pan from heat and cover pan with a lid or tinfoil. Place a kitchen towel over the lid and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Alella Vinícola
Marfil Blanc Sec
Alella, Spain

CRISP WINE STYLE

The Marfil Blanc Sec is bright straw and light golden in color. It has an intense nose with herbal notes of mint, lime and fresh apple. The palate has good length and a bold texture with fine extract, acidity, herbal spiciness, and notes of crispy fruit.

Varietal: 100% Pansa Blanca

Vineyard: Viña Rials

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Aging: 6 months on lees
Yield: 25 Hl/Ha
Vine aged: 22 Years
Farming: Organic without herbicide, insecticide and inorganic fertilizers
Pruning: Royat doble
Height and exposition: 100 m, EST
Soil: Granites (“saulo”)
Climate: Maritime Mediterranean

Aging Potential: Drink now or mature for up 4 years

Annual Production: 11,000 bottles
Winemaker: Xavier Garcia

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Marfil SEC is one of our white wines that has been sold worldwide for one hundred years. In the past, it used to be produced and aged in large capacity wooden casks for more than three years, so Pansa Blanca acquired a very unique bouquet which was highly valued during most of the 20th Century. In the last few decades, the market tendencies have gradually had an influence on the vinification techniques of this wine, and the aging in wood slowly but surely disappeared. This paved the way for giving prominence to the fruit, Pansa Blanca, which, without losing its fullness on the palate, gained in primary freshness and aromas of fresh white, aniseed-flavored, floral and sweeter fruit.” – Alella Vinícola

ABOUT ALELLA VINÍCOLA:
Alella Vinícola is a family winery established in 1906, and Marfil has been the symbolic brand of the cellar since the 1920’s. In the 20^th century, it was considered ‘the’ white wine of Barcelona and was exported worldwide. Today, most of the vineyards used are located in the town of Alella, about 9 miles north of Barcelona. The winery works to minimize the environmental harmful effects that many food and beverage companies can generate. For 20 years, all grapes that enter their cellar are free of herbicides, insecticides and inorganic fertilizers. Learn more here.

Join 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 >

September Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on August 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Luca Bosio Vineyards
Dark Red Semi Sweet
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Deep red in color, this wine is full of red fruit aromas with notes of wild berries lifted by its crisp acidity. These sweet aromas of ripe red fruits showcase the authenticity of the Brachetto grape. The Dark Red Semi Sweet wine is made with 100% natural fruit and gluten free.

Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Brachetto
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Pairing: Serve slightly chilled on its own or with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Basic Brachetto is playfully fizzy with two atmospheres of pressure and is known for having low alcohol at 5.5%, a natural range of sweetness. After fermentation, the residual sugar remains relatively high, making the wines sweeter than dry wines. Because the extra sugar stops fermentation early, non-fortified sweet reds tend to be lower in alcohol than dry wines.” – Luca Bosio Vineyards

Luca Bosio Vineyards
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Straw yellow in color, the Moscato d’Asti DOCG is sweet and smooth with notes of fruit and flower on the palate.

Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
RS: 130 g/L
Total SO₂: 170 mg/l
Cultivation Area: Santo Stefano Belbo
Vineyard Altitude: 200/300m above sea level
Training System: Guyot
Soil: Clayey-Calcerous soil
Aging: 2 months on its own yeast
Fermentation: 5 days in steel tanks at a low temperature (59° F)
Vinification: Without skins
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif or at the end of a meal with fruits, aged cheeses or hazelnut cake.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located in the center of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Bosio Family Estates was established in 1967 by farmers Egidio and Angela. After being past down through three generations, and with tremendous success, innovation, and support from the family, the company has now taken the name Luca Bosio Vineyards. Learn more here.

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!

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September Premium Wine Club

Posted on August 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Long Meadow Ranch
2016 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

“Deep ruby red color. A bewitching nose, complex with dried earth, musky roses, and spice aromas. This shows a refined and silken texture, and remains fresh and lively across the palate with great intensity of fruit and length. Intriguing, balanced and complex, it is a great picture of the finesse and intensity of Pinot Noir in Anderson Valley.” – Winemaker, Stéphane Vivier

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Estate: Anderson Valley
Maturation: 12 months in 25% new French oak, 75% neutral French oak
Food Pairing: Pair with duck breast and a cherry mostarda, or grilled salmon with chanterelle mushrooms. Try the winery’s pairing recipe for Chicken and Adouille Sausage Jambalaya here.

GROWING SEASON:
The 2016 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir had an early bud break, wet spring soils, and a long growing season. There was rapid growth in the spring, which slowed as it was met with average summer temperatures; producing reduced yields. The result was a moderate crop of well-concentrated, fully ripened fruit, creating a high quality vintage.

Long Meadow Ranch
2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
California

BOLD WINE STYLE

“Classic in style and always respectful of varietal character, the 2016 Napa Valley represents everything you expect from a Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet. This balanced blend of fruit from our mountain and valley estates has an inviting nose of fresh black cherry, marionberry, and plum. More subtle notes of vanilla, cedar and green tea leaves bring nuance to a palate bright with the mountain fruit acidity and rich in the valley fruit’s velvety tannins. This wine is lovely to drink now and for years to come.” – Winemaker, Justin Carr

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate Grown at Mayacamas & Rutherford Estates
Food Pairing: Long Meadow Ranch Grass-fed beef, braised lamb shanks or roasted game. Try the winery’s pairing recipe for Balsamic Braised Grass-fed Lamb Shanks here.

GROWING SEASON:
Growing season for the Cabernet Sauvignon was very similar to that of the Pinot Noir. The wet spring started a fast and rapid growing season, which was then met with average summer temperatures that slowed the development and reduced yields. This produced a moderate crop of excellent quality, and well-concentrated fruit that were fully ripened.

ABOUT LONG MEADOW RANCH:
Owned by Ted, Laddie, and Christopher Hall, Long Meadow Ranch (LMR) uses all integrated, organic and sustainable growing methods. LMR is home to wine making, olive orchards, cattle and horse breeding, egg-laying poultry, and organic vegetable gardens – each contributing to the overall health of the ranch. All crops are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and are grown without using any herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Learn more here.

Photo- Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Michael Woolsey

Join our PREMIUM WINE CLUB, enjoy amazing wines every other month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn more about our Premium Club >

Craftwork Old Vine Zinfandel

Posted on August 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Simply-Recipes-Santa-Maria-Tri-Tip-LEAD-4-5b7dca68a93f45f1b26f0ca5d8bf3a4a

Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip

INGREDIENTS:

1 (2 1/2 pounds to 4 pounds) tri-tip steak
Santa Maria rub (enough for a 4 pound roast)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon finely ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or fresh, finely minced)
- ½ teaspoon dried sage

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the rub ingredients together in a bowl. Place the roast in a roasting pan or a baking pan with edges (this will help contain the rub spices). Sprinkle the rub on the meat on all sides, and massage the rub into the meat.
Cover the roast with foil or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for an hour to take the chill off and allow the rub to work its magic on the roast.
Prepare your grill for hot direct heat on one side, and indirect heat on the other.
Sear the roast for 3-4 minutes per side. Carefully watch the roast during this process as one side of the roast is typically quite fatty and as the fat heats up it can drip down and cause flare-ups. Keep moving the tri-tip away from the flame if flare-ups occur.
Once the tri-tip is seared on all sides, move it away from direct heat and place it fat-side up on the grill rack.
– Note: If you are using a gas grill with a top rack, it is recommend to place the roast on that rack, with an aluminum tray on the bottom rack underneath to catch the fat drippings.
– If you are grilling on charcoal or wood, you may want to turn the roast over every few minutes, for more even heating.
– Try to maintain a grill temperature of 250°F to 300°F.
Cover the grill and cook until the temperature of the interior of the tri-tip reaches 120°F for a rare roast, 130°F for medium-rare and 140°F for medium.
– At this point the meat will take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes to cook, depending on how hot your grill is, how well done you want it, and the size of the cut.
– Note that the interior temperature will continue to rise at least 5°F after you take the roast off the heat.
Once the roast reaches temperature, remove it from the grill and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for 10-15 minutes. Slice across the grain to serve.

SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB:

Craftwork
Old Vine Zinfandel
Monterey County, California

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This Old Vine Zinfandel has aromas of plum and black currant, juicy black cherry and ripe strawberry jam. This wine has well-balanced tannins that open out to a rich, layered finished.

Varietal: Zinfandel
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Aging: 10-day fermentation in Stainless tanks, then aged in Hungarian and American Oak
Food Pairings: This Zinfandel pairs beautifully with tri-tip steak, sausage, pizza and pasta dishes.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Upon arrival to the winery, the grapes are destemmed, crushed, and fermented in small lots in open top fermenters. The firm cap of skins are gently punched down several times a day. Punching down is a traditional method that gives the skins as much contact with the fermenting wine as possible, ensuring that maximum color and phenols from the skins is transferred to the wine. After a 10-day fermentation in stainless tanks, the wine is age with a combination of Hungarian and American oak to round out and soften the rich, black fruit flavors.” – Craftwork

ABOUT CRAFTWORK VINEYARD & WINERY:
Craftwork’s wines are handcrafted from estate grown grapes in their vineyards in Monterey County, California. Their Zinfandel grapes are sourced from estate vineyards in San Lucas and Hames Valley. The majority of this blend comes from San Lucas, which is known for its beautifully rolling topography, sun-filled days and cool nights. The other portion of this blend comes from Hames Valley, about 20 miles south of San Lucas, located on the southern edge of Monterey County. Hames has temperatures that vary greatly from day to night. Growing in these two vineyards allows the grapes to reach their full flavor potential. Learn more about the vineyards and winery here.

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Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on August 25, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, about two lemons
¼ cup fresh lime juice, about 3 limes
½ cup fresh squeezed, orange juice
4 whole plum tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
2 whole jalapeño peppers, seeds and vein removed, minced
1 cup diced jicama or diced peeled apple
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
1 avocado pitted and diced
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Chop the shrimp into ½ inch pieces and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon, lime and orange juice to combine. Pour ½ cup of the citrus juice over the shrimp and toss to combine. Allow the shrimp to marinade in the juice for 15 minutes.
Add the tomato, jalapeño, jicama (or apple), cilantro and red onion to the shrimp. Toss the ingredients to combine and allow to marinade for an additional 10 minutes. Stir in the avocado and remaining juices.
Season the ceviche with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, if desired.
Shrimp Ceviche is best enjoyed the same day it’s made.

SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB:

Craftwork
Sauvignon Blanc
Monterey County, California

CRISP WINE STYLE

The Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc has prominent aromas of grapefruit and guava. There are hints of fresh herbs that lead to flavors of ripe apple and melon. It is crisp and bright with balanced flavors of tropical fruit lingering on the finish.

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Monterey County
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume

Aging: Stainless Steel
Food Pairing: This wine can be enjoyed as an apéritif, or broad range of foods, including citrusy ceviche, grilled shrimp or scallops, gazpacho, and Asian stir fry.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“The grapes are whole cluster pressed, chilled and racked clean to a refrigerated stainless steel tank to accentuate the crisp, zesty qualities and retain its distinctive freshness. A select yeast is used to start a long, slow, and cool fermentation to enhance fruit esters. The finished wine continues to age in stainless steel and is stored cold to retain bright aromatics, crisp acidity and fresh character.” – Craftwork Winery

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The warm days followed by the cool late afternoon winds of Monterey County, make excellent climatic conditions for this classic wine variety. Craftwork utilizes trellis systems in their vineyard to shelter grapes and filter sunshine through the canopy, allowing their grapes to gently and evenly ripen. These conditions bring out tropical fruit flavors with notes of mineral edginess.

ABOUT CRAFTWORK:
Located in Monterey County, California’s golden Central Coast; this growing region has a multitude of soils, microclimates and elevations that allow Craftwork to grow a wide array of varieties. Craftwork strives to showcase the natural flavors of the vineyard, variety and vintage in every bottle. Learn more here.

Join 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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