Wine is produced in all 50 states so why do we automatically think of California when we hear the term “wine country”? Saturday, November 7th marks the 3rd Annual Wine Tourism Day and in honor of this vinous holiday, I’m happy to share 4 US wine regions you need to add to your travel itinerary: 1.) Virginia: Wine production began here in 1607, when government... Read More
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Many wine lovers have heard the term “corked” used in reference to a faulty bottle of wine, but what exactly does the term mean? Below is all you need to know about our latest Wine Word of the Week. The term “corked” (aka “cork taint”) does not refer to a crumbly cork or cork bits floating in a wine. The term actually refers to a chemical compound,... Read More
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When I came across this recipe for Tuscan White Bean & Escarole Soup with Tuna in the July issue of Food & Wine Magazine I was a little perplexed. Canned tuna in olive oil in a soup – seriously, Justin Chapple? While initially wary, once I noticed the über-healthy and delicious list of ingredients, I decided to take a chance.... Read More
The post Fast & Fabulous: Tuscan White Bean & Escarole Soup with Tuna appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
When I came across this recipe for Tuscan White Bean & Escarole Soup with Tuna in the July issue of Food & Wine Magazine I was a little perplexed. Canned tuna in olive oil in a soup – seriously, Justin Chapple? While initially wary, once I noticed the über-healthy and delicious list of ingredients, I decided to take a chance. Thankfully my hunch paid off! This healthy dish is a study in deliciousness and I’ve also discovered a wonderful wine to pair with it.
Beautiful fresh escarole!
When making this recipe, be sure to use tuna packed in olive oil (I like solid albacore) which gives the soup nice body and flavor – resist the urge to substitute tuna packed in water! As suggested, garnish the soup with a delicious dusting of freshly grated Parmesan and also serve it with toasted or grilled slices of crusty French bread rubbed with a garlic clove which really makes the flavors “pop.” As for a wine pairing, we sampled a couple bottles and a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was too acidic and did nothing to enhance the flavor of the soup. The 2009 Clos de Nouys Vouvray Sec on the other hand, a 100% Chenin Blanc from France’s Loire Valley, complemented the dish very nicely! The wine’s slight sweetness took the edge off the acidity and it’s flavors of apple, fig and almond really hit all the right notes.
I hope you enjoy this soup as much as we did and have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a recipe or dish which expanded your culinary horizons? Please let us know in the comment section below!
Cheers,
“Tuscan White Bean & Escarole Soup with Tuna”
Justin Chapple, July Issue of Food & Wine Magazine
Serves 4
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
10 oz. escarole, chopped
2 teaspoons minced rosemary
6 cups chicken stock
One 15-oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. tuna in olive oil, drained
Salt and pepper
Shredded Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for serving
Heat the oil in a pot. Add the onions and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the escarole and rosemary and cook until the escarole is wilted, 3 minutes. Add the stock, beans and tuna and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve the soup with shredded Parmesan and crusty bread.
Our latest Wine Word of the Week is “en primeur” which refers to the practice of purchasing wine in advance of its release date, usually while it is still in barrel. Also referred to as “wine futures,” wines purchased in this manner aren’t usually released until 2-3 years after they are sold. Why spend money on wine that far in... Read More
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Our latest Wine Word of the Week is “en primeur” which refers to the practice of purchasing wine in advance of its release date, usually while it is still in barrel. Also referred to as “wine futures,” wines purchased in this manner aren’t usually released until 2-3 years after they are sold. Why spend money on wine that far in advance, you might ask? Purchasing wine en primeur is done primarily for two reasons: (1) to obtain wines which are produced in limited quantities, and (2) to lock in the best pricing of a wine, usually lower than the release price.
The practice of purchasing wines en primeur is most prevalent in France’s Bordeaux region where it has existed for centuries. Every April the grand cru classé properties produce barrel samples of their wines for the international wine trade who gather in Bordeaux to assess them. Based on these tastings, wines are given scores or ratings which reflect what they will taste like once they are bottled and how well they will age. The estates then release a portion of their total production at special pricing to wine brokers, known as négociants, who then sell the en primeur offers. Selling to négociants helps producers mitigate the risk of decreased demand in poor vintages: négociants are obligated to purchase their allocations in poor vintages for fear of not receiving any allocation in good vintages. The en primeur system works best when global demand outstrips supply and with skyrocketing prices of Bordeaux over the past decade due largely to Chinese interest, many US collectors have lost interest in the en primeur process.
Bordeaux is not the only region in the world to sell its wines en primeur; regions such as Burgundy, the Rhône, Port, Italy, and California also implement this practice. Consumers interested in purchasing wines en primeur from any country should consult a reputable wine merchant to handle the transaction since they’ll be waiting 2-3 years to receive their wine.
Thanks for checking out our latest Wine Word of the Week and to see previous “words,” please click here. If there’s a wine word you’d like to learn more about, please leave it in the comment section below – we’d love to hear from you.
Cheers,
With Summer upon us I’ve been craving the festive flavor of tacos, and I’m not talking about the kind that comes in a kit like Mom used to make on Tuesdays. I’ve been thinking of something more flavorful and authentic with tons of fabulous flavor! After experimenting with a few different recipes, I came up with this one for Chipotle... Read More
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