Ahhhh the bounty of late Summer! When I see all the beautiful produce at the Farmer's Market, it REEEALLY makes me want to do this.
The ripe, multicolored heirloom tomatoes seem to long for a drizzle of grassy green olive oil and generous sprinkle of crunchy Maldon sea salt, while the fragrant, downy peaches are begging to be bitten into, as their luscious juices trace their way to the tip of your chin.
And the corn - OH the corn! Roasted on the grill and slathered with butter, Kosher salt and coarsely cracked, black pepper - there are few things as gratifying. Which leads me to this heavenly recipe for Heirloom Tomato, Peach + Corn Salad with Burrata + Crispy Prosciutto that combines ALL of these delicious late Summer flavors in ONE marvelous, easy to make dish.
Yep, you heard me, I said easy. to. make!
This Summer I'm ALL about simplicity and I've also developed a legitimate aversion to firing up the oven. Maybe it's because the average temperature here in South Florida is a sweltering 110 degrees but, aside from the crispy prosciutto (which it TOTALLY worth it!), there is NO cooking required to make this recipe. Conveniently, you can even make the prosciutto a day or two in advance - IF you can keep your hands off it that long!
The crave-worthy, crispy prosciutto and decadent, creamy burrata cheese complement the flavors of the tomatoes, peaches and corn and round out this salad beautifully. Originating in Apulia, burrata cheese is made from fresh, Italian cow's milk. And if you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this lesser well-known cousin of mozzarella - buckle your taste buds, Lady, because you're in for a real T R E A T!
Like fresh mozzarella, burrata cheese is formed into milky white orbs which are sold bobbing about in a container of briny liquid to help retain moisture. And while burrata's outer shell consists of fresh, silky mozzarella, its center is filled with a heavenly combination of stracciatella and cream. When sliced open, the fresh cream and curds ooze out into a decadent, milky, yummy mess. If you happen to be entertaining vegetarians, you can even skip adding the prosciutto since the burrata itself is so hearty and satisfying.
For maximum enjoyment, finish the salad with a scattering of gorgeous green basil leaves, a drizzle of the delicious vinaigrette and serve with a crisp, fruity Provençalrosé. Rosé has enough structure and flavor to complement all the different flavors and textures in this dish, without competing with any of them. And as I've said before, there's something magical about the way rosé pairs with pork. Whether it's a beautiful charcuterie board or the crispy prosciutto in this salad, rosé's soft, subtle notes of red berry fruit highlight its salty, savory flavors perfectly!
We thoroughly enjoyed this Heirloom Tomato, Peach + Corn Salad with Burrata + Crispy Prosciutto paired with a divine bottle of Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé ($35). A blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache and 20% Cinsault grapes, this wine hails from the iconic Peyraud family who have been passionate pioneers and advocates of Bandol since the 1940's, when beloved husband and wife team, Lucie (aka "Lulu") and Lucien, assumed the reigns of Domaine Tempier shortly after they were married.
The couple did much to establish and celebrate Bandol's unique terroir during a time when Mourvèdre vines were being replanted with higher-yielding varieties. Lucien worked closely with the I.N.A.O. to establish Bandol as its very own appellation and the laws henceforth required the region's red wines to contain a minimum of 50% Mourvèdre which led to large scale replantings of the once maligned grape. Today, the Mourvèdre grape is intrinsic to Domaine Tempier's legendary, soulful wines which are widely considered the benchmark for Provence.
I truly hope you enjoy this delicious, late Summer-inspired salad as much as we do. Accompanied by a bottle of rosé, it's truly perfect for al fresco entertaining on a balmy Summer evening. For even more of my favorite recipes and wine selections that highlight and celebrate Summer, please click here.
In the meantime, what are some of your favorite Summer-inspired dishes and/or ingredients? Please let me know in the Comments section below.
Print Recipe“HEIRLOOM TOMATO, PEACH + CORN SALAD WITH BURRATA + CRISPY PROSCIUTTO”
Recipe Type: SALAD
Cuisine: HEALTHY
Author: STEPHANIE MISKEW | THE GLAMOROUS GOURMET
Serves: 4-6 servings
Serve this delicious salad with a crisp, refreshing Provencal rose that will celebrate + highlight its delightful array of flavors + textures.
Ingredients
2-3 pounds heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 large ripe peaches, pitted and cut into 1/4-inch wedges
2 3/4 cups of corn kernels, cut from 3-4 large ears of fresh corn
4 thinly cut prosciutto slices
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil, plus extra fresh basil leaves for garnishing
Juice of half a lemon
6 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 - 4 ounce balls of fresh burrata cheese
Maldon sea salt for garnishing
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place 4 slices of prosciutto on the parchment paper, making sure they are laying flat and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the meat is darker in color and the fat appears more golden, being careful not to burn. Transfer cooked slices to paper towels to drain, they will crisp up as they cool.
To make the vinaigrette, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, Kosher salt and pepper in a plastic container. Seal top of container and shake well to combine.
Place the tomatoes, peaches, corn and basil in a large bowl. Lightly moisten with some of the vinaigrette and toss gently, being careful not to pull apart the tomato slices.
On a large serving platter, evenly assemble the tomato, peach and corn mixture. Nestle the 4 balls of burrata (one per person) into the salad, one in each quadrant.
Consume one slice of the crispy prosciutto (Chef's treat!) and crumble the remaining 3 slices over the salad, leaving the pieces large enough so people can identify the glorious shards of prosciutto.
When ready to serve, scatter the whole basil leaves over the salad, sprinkle with Maldon or other sea salt and drizzle with additional vinaigrette (leaving some to serve alongside if desired).
If you're anything like me, the word "clone" immediately conjures a host of 1970's B-movies featuring body-copying aliens seeking to wreak havoc on the human race. When it comes to grapes, however, that source of many 70's childhood nightmares couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, a GRAPE clone is actually a very good thing!
While most plants reproduce sexually (just picture it, candlelight, a good bottle of wine and Diana Krall's cover of "Peel me a Grape" playing in the background) resulting in a combination of genetic material from both parents, clones are created through asexual propagation, where an actual cutting or graft is taken from only one "mother" vine.
But why not let love run its natural course?
Cloning is done in order to replicate a beneficial trait or desired quality of a particular vine. These traits could include a vine's natural disease resistance, fruit maturation rate, desired berry and/or cluster size, or even a particular flavor or aroma depending on the style of wine a winemaker is aiming for. Theoretically, once this genetically identical cutting is planted, it will result in a vineyard brimming with fruit featuring the desired characteristics of the mother vine, right?
Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple (frownie face).
Slight variations commonly occur among the millions of cells that make up a grapevine. And even though a cutting should be genetically identical to its parent plant, random mutations sometimes occur in the new vine causing it to exhibit different, unexpected characteristics. These differences can be good or bad and if the difference happens to be good, the vine may be further propagated to perpetuate the desired quality. This new, distinctive clone is then assigned an identifier (which can be a number or a name) to distinguish it from other clones of the same grape variety.
Although talk of grape clones has heretofore occurred mostly among members of the wine trade, viticulture professionals and extreme wine geeks, today it is becoming more mainstream among passionate wine enthusiasts. Know that, generally speaking, the older the grape, the more clones it will probably have, so Old World grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have quite a few. Some of the more popular "designer clones" you may encounter include Pinot Noir's Pommard, 115 and 777; Cabernet's 6 and 12, and Chardonnay's Old Wente, 4 and 5. For a deep dive on your favorite grape, simply Google the grape name followed by "grape clones" - Chardonnay alone returns 350,000 results!
I hope you enjoyed the latest Wine Word of the Week and if you have any “wine words” you’d like to learn more about, please feel free to share them in the Comments section below.
To see previous WWOTW posts, please click here and, as always, thanks for reading!
There aren't many wines that can boast the popularity of rosé in recent years. Much like the Duchess of Sussex, this imminently appealing wine seemed to come out of nowhere and take the world by storm. Years later, we STILL can't seem to get enough, and our desire shows no signs of waning anytime soon.
But the truth is, rosé has actually been around for a veeeery long time - like, we're talking Queen Elizabeth long! And since Provence is considered the birthplace of this glorious, dry pink wine - just who HAS been producing rosé all of these years or at least pre-Brad + Angelina?
That timely question brings me to this episode of The Wine Atelier podcast featuring François Matton, Co-owner of Provence's revered Château Minuty. Located a mere 5 minute drive from the Mediterranean coastline on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, this estate has been crafting exceptional, terroir-driven rosé wine for over 80 years.
In this interview, the charming François dishes on the history of his family's famed rosés and shares details of his fascinating life growing up in Provence. He also discusses what it's like running the estate with his brother Etienne and the key to creating such consistently wonderful wines. Simply click the slider above to listen to the full episode or click here to listen in iTunes.
1.) Why Château Minuty's rosés are different from newer brands that've emerged over the past decade.
2.) THE single most important grape in making the Château Minuty rosés (and why) and which grapes are NEVER used.
3.) How François almost left the family business and why he ultimately changed his mind.
4.) What it's like running the family winery with his brother and WHO they rely on to settle any disputes.
5.) The fascinating stories behind three of the delicious Château Minuty rosés (M de Minuty, Rosé et Or and Château Minuty 281).
– What is a Grape Clone?
- For more info on the history of the Rosé Revolution, please click here.
– Click here for information on visiting Château Minuty. For help planning your itinerary or booking winery appointments during your travels, please contact Stephanie at Stephanie@theglamorousgourmet.com.
To share your thoughts + spread the word about the The Wine Atelier podcast:
– Please leave me a note in the Comments section below & click here to listen to previous episodes of The Wine Atelier podcast.
– To spread the word about The Wine Atelier podcast, please share this link on social media, in e-mails or anywhere else you like (Thank You in advance!).
– If you enjoyed the show, please click here to go to iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to so you don’t miss a thing – AND – your honest review on iTunes would be greatly appreciated!
Women in the wine world have made amazing strides in recent decades. Today, they are Sommeliers, winemakers, wine educators and even winery founders and owners and we have many brave and brilliant women to thank who paved the way for us. One of my favorite things about hosting this podcast is highlighting their amazing accomplishments and sharing the secrets of their success with you. Episode #22 of The Wine Atelier podcast features one such woman, vinous trailblazer and dynamo, Delia Viader, Founder and Owner of VIADER Vineyards and Winery.
This Argentine-born, European raised, single mother of four, forged her way into the Napa Valley during the 1980's. To the surprise of many (except herself and those who knew her well), she conquered the formidable slopes of Howell Mountain and established her successful, critically acclaimed winery that thrives to this day. So basically, while I was in college dancing to Madonna, sporting acid wash denim, and drinking more than my fair share of White Zinfandel, Delia was establishing her unique trellising system, pursuing her second doctorate degree, and crafting world class, Cabernet Franc.
In this fascinating interview, Delia shares her amazing story and how she overcame a variety of obstacles in order to pursue her life's passion, provide for her family and create a lasting legacy. And trust me, her incredible energy and passion for what she does will truly inspire you!
- The serendipitous way this student and Mom (who was born in Argentina and raised in Europe) discovered the special plot of land that was to become her future winery and which family member was intrinsic to her success.
- How she achieved a Master's degree from MIT and TWO doctorate degrees!
- How asking for help and being open to advice from trusted local and international advisors played an important role in her success.- Which delightfully unique grape variety (my personal favorite!) is the main focus of the Viader wines and which grape is conspicuously absent.
- How she acquired her well-deserved nickname, "The Wine Mother." - What it was like raising her children among the vines in Napa and what it's like now working with her son, Alan, Viader's current winemaker.
- How to visit Delia at Viader Vineyards and Winery during your next visit to the Napa Valley.
- The difference between Old World and New World wines
- What the heck is Phylloxera and why it's so devastating to grapevines.
- More info on what makes mountain fruit so special.
- Learn about legendary Bordeaux-based winemaker and consultant, Michel Rolland.
To share your thoughts + spread the word about the The Wine Atelier podcast:
– Please leave me a note in the Comments section below & click here to listen to previous episodes of The Wine Atelier podcast.
– To spread the word about The Wine Atelier podcast, please share this link on social media, in e-mails or anywhere else you like (Thank You in advance!).
– If you enjoyed the show, please click here to go to iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to so you don’t miss a thing – AND – your honest review on iTunes would be greatly appreciated!
As an Art History Major and wine lover, when I heard that Napa's FIRST Wine History Museum and Tasting Salon was opening this month I couldn't wait to find out more! I immediately reached out to its founder, wine industry icon and proprietor of The Boisset Collection, Jean-Charles Boisset and am thrilled to be able to share this interview with you.
While the Napa Valley is relatively new when compared to Old World wine regions, it's illustrious, colorful and undeniably fruitful 200 year history definitely deserves a fitting homage. Hence, the creation of 1881 Napa, the official name of the establishment which opens to the public later this month. And who better to helm this historic endeavor than enduring Napa champion, Jean-Charles Boisset.
Jean-Charles' flamboyant joie de vivre and passion for the Napa Valley make him perfect for the project. His excitement is readily apparent in our interview, and if you aren't already familiar with the charming Jean-Charles, you'll definitely want to learn more about his fascinating and multi-faceted life and career.
- How he was able to establish 1881 Napa on one of the Napa Valley's most historic properties.
- The legendary names he partnered up with to help realize his vision for 1881 Napa.
- The delightfully informative tasting experiences available to visitors as well as how to best plan your visit.
- All the deets on his exciting vinous partnership with singer, John Legend.
- How you can meet Jean-Charles on his upcoming book tour.
- His exciting plans for his 10th wedding anniversary with wife, Gina Gallo.
– Learn more about visiting 1881 Napa, Napa's first Wine History Museum and Tasting Salon, by clicking here.
– Learn more about Jean-Charles Boisset, Boisset Collection and his current projects and book tour by clicking here.
– Learn more about LVE wines, Jean-Charles partnership with John Legend, and their new Summer rosé by clicking here.
To share your thoughts + spread the word about the The Wine Atelier podcast:
– Please leave me a note in the Comments section below & click here to listen to previous episodes of The Wine Atelier podcast.
– To spread the word about The Wine Atelier podcast, please share this link on social media, in e-mails or anywhere else you like (Thank You in advance!).
– If you enjoyed the show, please click here to go to iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to so you don’t miss a thing – AND – your honest review on iTunes would be greatly appreciated!
It's amazing how time flies.
It seems like yesterday I was excitedly announcing our first food and wine group trip to Provence and before you know it, we've been back and six months have passed!
If you've been reading my blog over the past few years, you may know we've been spending more time in the South of France. Specifically, cooking at Julia Child's former Summer home, La Pitchoune; tasting our way through Provençal wine country; and exploring nearby towns like Cannes, which has become a real favorite.
And after a busy week of hosting cooking classes, wine tastings and excursions during our aforementioned group trip (if you'd like to learn more about our bespoke trips, please click here), we decided Cannes would be the perfect place to relax for a few days. And since our dear friends we usually stay with were not in town, we decided on the InterContinental Carlton Hotel.
The storied, century-old Intercontinental Carlton Hotel is truly an icon of old Hollywood glamour. And its majestic facade is essentially the crowned jewel of La Croisette, the famed stretch of road that hugs the Mediterranean coastline and features haute couture shops including Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. On our first trip to Cannes years ago, our dear friends Kaki and Phil picked us up from the Nice airport and whisked us off to a decadent lunch at the Carlton Beach Club. We savored succulent lobster rolls and oodles of rosé as we enjoyed the magnificent view complete with mega yachts bobbing about in the glistening Mediterranean.
Halfway through my lobster roll, I was smitten!
The Carlton Hotel, as it was first known, was originally the dream of Londoner Henry Ruhl. He partnered with architect and Nice native Charles Dalmas on its design and construction which commenced in 1911. Since its opening in 1913, the hotel has been a magnet for glamorous celebrity guests and political figures alike including Beyoncé, Eva Longoria, Clint Eastwood and Sharon Stone. It has also played a starring role in the famed Cannes Film Festival which launched in 1939. Soon after word of its grandeur spread, it quickly became a coveted location for shooting films as well.
Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, filmed portions of his classic "To Catch a Thief" at The Carlton. The film featured two of Hollywood's brightest stars of the time, Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. One of the film's most memorable scenes features Kelly in a magnificent blue evening gown in the hotel's Grand Salon.
During the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco had an arranged meeting and photo shoot at the hotel which is believed to have inspired their marriage a year later. Kelly's time spent at the Carlton will forever link her to the hotel and one of its most prestigious suites bears her name to this day.
After bidding adieu to our last guest at La Pitchoune, we packed up the car and headed South towards Cannes. As we pulled down the Croisette about twenty minutes later, the InterContinental Carlton Hotel beckoned in the distance as the gorgeous afternoon sun glistened and danced across its regal facade.
We were greeted warmly at the hotel and thankfully, our room was ready and waiting. As we rode up in the elevator I couldn't wait to get settled and tuck into a big, comfy bed for a looong nap after our busy week. As the Concierge opened the door, the room was illuminated by a beautiful, golden glow. As she proceeded to swing open the balcony doors and step back, we were met with the most glorious view!
The sun was setting on the azure Mediterranean as palm trees swayed gently in the breeze. There were two chairs situated on either side of the balcony doors and a table in between set with snacks and a bottle of Henriot Champagne! Our oceanfront room was absolutely dreamy and every bit as glamorous as I had hoped. After a few sips of Champagne and a couple lemony Madeleines I dozed off into a blissful sleep.
We spent the next 72 hours relaxing in the hotel, strolling La Croisette and savoring our remaining days in the South of France. We visited some of our favorite shops in Cannes including LaDurée, Chanel, Harmont & Blaine and our favorite wine shop, 1862 Wine & Spirits. We also enjoyed a leisurely dinner at the nearby French bistro, Pastis (thanks, Kaki & Phil!).
The hotel's Carlton Bar with its fabulous Belle Epoque atmosphere was also a favorite for enjoying Cocktails on the Croisette. I thoroughly enjoyed the Lady Carlton Cocktail (26 €) featuring Champagne and fresh strawberry coulis while Steve opted for the deliciously classic Negroni (25 €). Our drinks were the perfect accompaniment for the delicious dishes such as Steak Tartare (32 €) and decadent Foie Gras Crostini (28 €). In addition to the delightful cocktails and food, the Carlton Bar is a wonderful place for people watching as well!
Our stay at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes was truly the perfect ending to an amazing trip and I couldn't recommend the hotel highly enough. While a true icon of glamour, we thoroughly enjoyed the hotel's sense of relaxed elegance that kept it from feeling too stuffy and formal.
And while the hotel is a wonderful place to stay all year round, it's a hot spot for national conferences. Of course, the best known is the Cannes Film Festival which takes place in mid-May, but here is a calendar of others to keep in mind when making your plans. Rooms tend to book up quickly and the town is really busy during these times.
Even if you're not a guest of the hotel, if you ever find yourself in Cannes you should definitely pop into The Carlton Bar for Cocktails by the Croisette or lunch at the Carlton Beach Club. In addition to the delicious food and drinks and decadent atmosphere, you never know who you'll run into!
InterContinental Carlton Cannes | 58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06414 | Cannes, France | +33 4 93 06 40 06
I've always been fascinated by Chile as a wine region. So on this Memorial Day weekend, I'm thrilled to share my podcast interview with a member of the "First Family" of Chilean wine and Chief Winemaker of the iconic Viña Montes, Aurelio Montes, Jr.
Aurelio's father is a pioneer of Chilean wine who relentlessly pursued his vision of producing wines of superior quality to the ones being produced in Chile at that time. The result of his labor was ViñaMontes, the first Chilean winery to produce and export Premium and Ultra Premium wines including their acclaimed Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon and Montes Alpha M.
Although Aurelio, Jr. was born into the wine world, his story is anything but straightforward. Rather than automatically assuming the reigns of the family winery as one might expect, he took a circuitous and quite fascinating route to his current position as Montes' Chief Winemaker. During his vinous odyssey he gained valuable experience in both life and wine, essentially earning his way into his family's iconic winery in the process.
In this interview, Aurelio shares the details of his whirlwind journey through the vineyards of Australia, Napa and France and reveals the inherent and sometimes challenging intricacies involved in working with his legendary father.
Aurelio also shares a fascinating behind the scenes look at his approach to winemaking and rationale behind key decisions including the importance of sustainable farming over the long term, and why becoming a "partner with the vine" is so important for producing excellent wine. He also does a deep dive into some of Montes' best known wines, discussing their nuances in great detail from the importance of their estate vineyards and the trials and tribulations of working with Chile's signature red grape, Carmenere.
I think you'll come away from this interview truly inspired by Aurelio's passion for winemaking and his attention to every detail that goes into making it. This includes his rationale for implementing the Chinese art of feng shui and playing Scottish Gregorian chants for the wine in order to achieve the best wine possible!
Many thanks to the charming Aurelio Montes, Jr. for taking the time to chat with me! To listen to this interview, simply click the "PLAY" on the slider above OR click here to listen in iTunes. Please stay tuned for more interviews with the world's most interesting people in food and wine!
- Learn more about the infamous phylloxera epidemic that ravaged the vineyards of Europe in the late 1800's by clicking here.
- Learn about the importance of stainless steel fermentation and fermenting "on the lees" by clicking here.
- For more details about white wine production, check out my post White Wine 101, please click here.
- For more details about red wine production, check out my post Red Wine 101, please click here.
To share your thoughts + spread the word about the The Wine Atelier podcast:
– Please leave me a note in the Comments section below & click here to listen to previous episodes of The Wine Atelier podcast.
– To spread the word about The Wine Atelier podcast, please share this link on social media, in e-mails or anywhere else you like (Thank You in advance!).
– If you enjoyed the show, please click here to go to iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to so you don’t miss a thing – AND – your honest review on iTunes would be greatly appreciated!
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
© 2024 The Wine Atelier
