There’s only one thing more fun then receiving gifts during the Holiday Season. And that’s giving the perfect gift to that special someone and watching their eyes light up with glee! If you’re shopping for a wine lover who has a penchant for the finer things, our Wine Lover’s Glamorous Holiday Gift Guide is chock full of ideas that are sure to delight!
1.) For the Red Wine Lover…
Round Pond Estate Cab Lovers Gift Set ($180): Hailing from one of our favorite properties in the Napa Valley, this gorgeous set of acclaimed wines features 2 styles of Round Pond’s Cabernet Sauvignon, the Reserve and Rutherford, to show just how deliciously diverse one grape variety from the same vineyard can be. Specifically for the lover of big, bold Napa Valley Cabs, this gift set is sure to be a favorite as it brings together Round Pond’s 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (94 points Antonio Galloni) and the 2014 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon in a beautiful, artisan gift box.
2.) For the Art Lover…
Cuvaison Andy Warhol Series One Collection ($250 – 2 bottle set): In the early 1980s, Alexander Schmidheiny, owner of Cuvaison Winery and friend of Andy Warhol, commissioned the iconic artist to create screenprints for his Cuvaison wine labels. Done in his signature Pop Art style, the prints have rarely been seen until now! Cuvaison and The Andy Warhol Foundation celebrate this historic collaboration with this limited edition Andy Warhol by Cuvaison Collection. This first release in a series of three includes exclusive wines from Cuvaison’s two Napa Valley estates: a Chardonnay from Carneros and a red Bordeaux blend from Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Both the beautifully-crafted wines and collector’s box feature original artwork created by Andy Warhol.
3.) For the Book Lover…
Mark Oldman’s How to Drink Like a Billionaire: Mastering Wine with Joie de Vivre ($23): Want to know the mysteries of how the 1% drink? Mark Oldman, one of America’s most popular wine experts, demystifies the secrets of the wine world. Oldman distills his vast knowledge of wines into this easy-to-read, humorous guide, complete with in-depth how-tos on everything from tasting, swirling, and buying wine the same way billionaires do—without the price tag! From detailing little-known ways to hone in on the best value bottles to the secret maneuvers you can do to master wine in restaurants, shops, and at home, How to Drink Like a Billionaire will have you approaching wine with the shrewdness, style, and unapologetic joy of the 1%.
4.) For the Holiday Host & Hostess…
Magnum of of Taittinger Brut La Francaise Champagne ($140): This delightful Champagne from Taittinger is definitely one of our favorites with it’s lively, festive bubbles and brisk acidity. This special bubbly is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier aged on the lees for almost 4 years more than the legal minimum of 15 months! This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality. There’s nothing more festive then bubbly around the holidays and you’re guaranteed to be invited back year after year if you present your gracious Host and/or Hostess with a magnum of fabulous Champagne – the equivalent of two regular 750mL bottles.
5.) For the Collector & Gadget Lover…
Coravin Model Two System ($299): This revolutionary gadget needs to be in every wine lover’s home since it completely changes the way you drink wine! Coravin’s Model Two is the company’s most intuitive wine system that gives wine lovers the freedom to pour and enjoy a glass of wine from any bottle, at any time, without pulling the cork! Using Coravin’s proprietary technology, the new Model Two is the best-in-class tool that lets you taste, share, compare and explore wine like never before. Want to sample a glass of your 1982 Bordeaux without committing to an entire bottle? Get out your Coravin! It’s the revolution that’s opening up an enriching world of possibilities.
Cheers,
The post The Wine Lover’s Glamorous Holiday Gift Guide! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
During our recent trip to California wine country, we had the pleasure of staying at a very special place in the heart of the Napa Valley, The Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer. The charming, eight-acre property is conveniently located minutes from downtown St. Helena, yet is tucked away in a secluded haven surrounded by lush greenery, towering redwood trees and, of course, beautiful vineyards.
Originally established in 1975, the beloved 78-room hotel had become a bit time worn over the years and, in 2014, underwent an extensive renovation under the guidance of James Beard Award-winning Chef and hotelier, Charlie Palmer. Palmer’s goal was to transform this modest, wine country inn into a luxurious St. Helena resort, with all the modern amenities and cache that’s de rigeur in the tony surrounding areas today. While Palmer recognized the need for tasteful updates, he and his team were careful to retain the property’s inherent charm, including the intricate brick and woodwork throughout that make the property so unique.
Having stayed at the inn a few years prior to the renovations, the improvements were immediately evident upon our arrival. The dated hotel lobby has been transformed into a sleek, modern reception area featuring fabulous ambient lighting, chic indoor and outdoor seating areas and a welcoming, U-shaped bar. While much has changed however, the grand lobby staircase remains, serving as an architectural reminder of the property’s history. The structure is also home to the hotel’s new restaurant, Harvest Table, at which we were fortunate to dine during our stay – more on that later!
The thoughtful renovations also included extensive refurbishing of many of the hotel’s rooms which are grouped into “neighborhoods” featuring a variety of different views and amenities.
One newly renovated block is situated along the vineyards adjacent to the property, specifically Whitehall-Lane’s Leonardini Family Vineyards. Appropriately dubbed the Vineyard View Collection, these charming, spacious rooms are perfect for those craving the full vineyard experience. Each room features a king sized bed; an oversized brick, wood-burning fireplace; cozy club chairs and couch and your own private terrace with a jacuzzi hot tub. Other amenities include daily, complimentary wine country breakfast, mini bar water and juice, in-room wine (yessss!!!), wireless internet, parking and the use of an evening house car, two swimming pools, fitness center and weekend wine tastings.
We were fortunate enough to stay in one of these delightful rooms and let me assure you, there’s nothing like an al fresco soak with a glass of Schramsberg bubbly in hand for your weary, wine drenched body after a long day of wine tasting – pure heaven!
In addition to the fabulous rooms, one of the most wonderful features of the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer is its verdant, lush greenery which imbues the property with a fabulous natural beauty and sense of privacy.
Gorgeous rose beds, stands of magnificent redwood trees, exquisite hydrangeas and perfumed wisteria all abound and, since it was mid-Fall, the trees were also resplendent with gorgeous, reddish gold leaves. Beautiful stone fountains, a rotating sculpture installation and a serene koi pond also punctuate the landscape, offering even more visual intrigue.
In addition to its beauty, the plentiful vegetation is also quite functional. There are five culinary gardens located on property, tended by expert Culinary Horticulturist Laura McNiff, whose bounty is featured nightly on the Harvest Table menu. The bar also utilizes an assortment of garden gems, including unique citrus (the Buddha’s hand lemons were very interesting!), as well as an assortment of herbs and flowers.
Tomatoes, kale, lettuce and bright orange “cheddar cheese” cauliflower were all in abundance. Hop vines also proliferate among the property as well as various espaliered fruit trees (persimmon, Meyer lemon, apple), lavender and wild strawberries. Guests are encouraged to help themselves to anything they know is edible – forget those M&M’s in the mini bar!
In addition to the greenery, the property is also home to three active beehives as well as a variety of wildlife which is unofficially documented by the small landscaping team. Denizens include bald eagles, red foxes, squirrels and raccoons. As you can imagine, with all its natural beauty the property is the perfect venue for special ceremonies and gatherings. During our visit, a lovely vow renewal took place on the splendid lawn. As the wine country sun set in the West, it created an ethereal ambiance for the lucky couple.
The Harvest Inn also offers spa treatment rooms for guests to indulge in their favorite massage, facial or treatment du jour. Care to enjoy your hot lava stone massage al fresco? The property also features private tents in case you’d like to receive your spa service (or couple’s service) outdoors – très romantique!
We had the great pleasure of dining at the Inn’s restaurant, Harvest Table, during our stay. In fact, our delicious al fresco meal was definitely a highlight of our trip!
Executive Chef Levi Mezick delighted us with his culinary skills and creativity, honed during stints with world renowned Chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller. Harvest Table’s farm-to-fork menu showcases ingredients from the property’s culinary gardens as well as many local purveyors. The California-focused wine list also features a nice variety of selections from around the world. Sommelier Sasha Hagenlock expertly guided us towards wines which complemented our meal and suited our price range as well.
We opted for many of Mezick’s inspired seafood dishes ranging from succulent Oysters with Horseradish Sorbet & Tarragon ($12), to classic Southern Pan Roasted Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage, Cheddar Cheese & Smoked Bacon ($16).
Mezick’s dishes were also as beautiful as they were delicious, especially the Dungeness Crab Salad with Granny Smith Apple Gelee, Persimmon & Garden Herbs ($15) with gorgeous pops of bright green, orange and red, and the Bread Crusted Red Snapper with Coconut Rice, Sesame Bok Choy and Tamarind Essence featuring a golden, Panko crusted pavé of snapper set neatly atop creamy rice and delicately flavored tamarind foam.
Mezick also infused some added deliciousness into some seemingly ‘everyday’ ingredients, including mouthwatering Roasted Carrots with Buttermilk, Vadouvan & Granola ($6) which had fabulous flavor, color and texture, as well as his highly addictive Rock Shrimp Hush Puppies with Old Bay & Spicy Gribiche ($8). Chef also made delicious use of the one part of the pig nobody EVER seems to know what to do with! His Crispy Pig Ear Salad with Cilantro & Yuzu Vinaigrette ($6) featured delicious thinly sliced, crispy strips of meat which added texture and dimension to the flavorful salad.
Another apparent highlight of the Harvest Table menu is the Truffle Chicken for Two ($65). A word to the wise, however, it takes an hour of preparation time and while our schedule didn’t allow for us to indulge this time, we definitely look forward to it on our next trip!
While we contemplated forgoing dessert – we were SO incredibly glad we didn’t! Dessert was equally as enjoyable as our savory courses and included Roasted Sweet Corn Mousse with Blackberries and Lime Sherbet ($9), Chocolate + Peanut Butter Bar with Dark Chocolate Marquis, Peanut Butter Mousse & Chocolate Sorbet ($9) and my husband’s favorite, the Tasting of House Made Ice Cream and Sorbet ($9). The flavors and textures of each dish demonstrated wonderful attention to detail and a mastery of flavor that was greatly appreciated.
The idyllic Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer celebrates the vineyard way of life and offers its guests the chance to experience it firsthand in relaxed, rustic elegance. While conveniently situated in the historic hub of St. Helena with a plethora of well-known wineries nearby, the property’s landscape provides a stylishly serene retreat for its guests. Palmer has done a wonderful job integrating past and present in this special project, creating a harmony between the architecture and landscape while underpinning it all with a keen, experienced eye towards hospitality at every level.
Thanks to the Harvest Inn and its amazing staff for such a wonderful stay! For morning information on the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer or its restaurant, Harvest Table, please see the information below or visit www.harvestinn.com.
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer
1 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
707.963.9463
Bon appétit,
The post Wine Country Travel: Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
I must say, California wine country is simply stunning in the Fall! During our recent visit to the legendary North Coast, which encompasses Napa and Sonoma counties among others, we encountered towering trees cloaked in their seasonal reddish, gold splendor, refreshingly chillsome evenings (we ARE from Florida after all!), as well as many amazing wines. While I look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks, I was especially inspired to feature one wine in particular as our latest Wine of the Week, the 2014 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard.
While Failla primarily focuses on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, owner and winemaker Ehren Jordan‘s eclectic winemaking experiences and sheer vinous talent allow him to work adeptly with many different grape varieties extremely well. As a fan of Syrah from the Northern Rhone, I was very impressed with his ability to craft a California wine that so closely approximates its French counterpart while allowing its terroir, and the character of the new Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, to shine through. Please read on to discover more about this very special wine that’s just perfect for enjoying during the chilly Winter months.
Who it’s from: Winemaker Ehren Jordan and his wife Anne-Marie founded Failla in 1998 and together they specialize in sourcing cool climate fruit from the extreme coastal areas of Sonoma County. Jordan draws inspiration from his time spent in France, namely a 2-year apprenticeship in Cornas in the Northern Rhone where he specialized in Syrah, which continues to inform his winemaking style. He also held positions in California, first at Neyers Vineyards and then at Turley Wine Cellars, where he spent almost 20 years crafting world class Zinfandel. Jordan is perhaps most passionate about producing balanced, elegant, food-friendly wines that are expressive of their terroir.
Where it’s from: This wine hails from Failla’s 14-acre Estate Vineyard located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, a sub-region of the vast Sonoma Coast AVA, which was officially approved in 2011. Vineyards here are situated in the steep coastal ridges above the fog line where most of the surrounding terrain is too steep to farm. Out of over 27,000 acres in the AVA, only 550 are actually usable! Only Failla and a few other esteemed vintners were willing to brave the uniquely challenging conditions including Flowers, Marcassin, Hirsch, Pahlmeyer, Martinelli, Del Dotto and Peter Michael to name a few. The region’s unusually rugged terrain, high elevations, cool maritime climate and marine soils create the perfect environment for growing exceptional cool climate grape varieties.
“To me ‘terroir’ is distilling a place down to its essence using grapes as the medium.” – Ehren Jordan
Originally planted in 1998, Failla’s Estate Vineyard is located only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and has been organically and dry farmed since the beginning. Jordan harvested the first grapes from the vineyard in 2001 and has increased production ever since. The special Estate Vineyard, located at approximately 1,400 ft. elevation, is currently planted to cool climate grape varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
This Wine by the (geeky) Numbers:
Primary Fermentation: Native Yeast
Malolactic Fermentation: Native
Elevage: 11 months, aged Sur-Lie in French oak barrique, 25% new
Filtration: Unfined & Unfiltered
Grape variety: 100% Syrah, 20 yr. old vines
ABV: 13.9%
Production: 382 cases
Production notes: “Our 100% whole cluster “Estate Vineyard” Syrah was gently foot-tread, fermented with native yeasts, and basket pressed to barrel, where it competed a native ML conversion and rested on its lees until being bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
The Glamorous Gourmet’s Tasting Note: “From its lush, purplish-red hue to enticing aromas of spiced black fruit, savory herbs and a hint of lavender, this delightful expression of California Syrah simultaneously evokes the elegance of the Northern Rhone. On the palate, this stunner reveals savory layers of blackberry, plum, licorice and black pepper while demonstrating impressive complexity and richness without seeming heavy. All components harmoniously converge on the imminently satisfying, lengthy finish.”
Pair it with: Rosemary & Salt crusted Prime Rib, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu
Retail Price: $58 (for purchasing information, please e-mail stephanie [at] theglamorousgourmet [dot] com or simply call 561.317.6663)
Bon appétit,
The post Wine of the Week: 2014 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, California appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
With Thanksgiving and its legion of leftovers finally behind us - buh-bye turkey and stuffing - it's time to change it up and indulge in some deliciously different flavors!
And since it's officially sweater weather (and you have to say it like this!) it's prime time for some comforting, satisfying soups as well. So get cozy and comfy and prepare to enjoy our crazy delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup.
"But I don't LIKE cabbage!" you might say.
Well, I used to think that too, but that's only because you haven't tried this soup yet. Only a few short years ago, my husband, a gent of Ukrainian descent, expressed a craving for classic Ukrainian dishes such as stuffed cabbage and pierogies. While I had sampled pierogies during the "high carb/no fat" diet trend of the 90's (yum!), I had never had cabbage before. To be honest, the smell of it never really appealed to me and it seemed rather, um, unglamorous.
But in the spirit of culinary adventure, I did some research and came up with this utterly delicious and comforting recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup that's guaranteed to win over even the staunchest anti-cabbage-ite.
This thick, rich soup features thin strips of Savoy cabbage braised in a delightful, savory broth featuring ground beef, pork, garlic, onions and tomatoes accentuated by dill, coriander, allspice and smoked paprika. The synergy of these ingredients is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, providing that 1 + 1 = 3 experience we all seek. For the anti-cabbage-ites you're going to have to trust me on this, but you WILL be thanking me later.
As for a wine pairing, Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup was a head-scratcher at first. But then I did what I usually do on the, ahem, rare occasion I'm stumped for a wine pairing: head to Italy! Italian wines are so incredibly food friendly, they can often help you out of a bind when you're not sure what to pour. Both Italian whites and reds have wonderful acidity and, with so many to choose from, you're bound to find a wine with a similar weight as your dish.
For this soup, I recommend light-bodied reds such as Barbera d'Asti or Chianti Classico which complement the ground beef, spices and tomato elements of this soup.
Whether you’re Ukrainian or not, I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup as much as we do. If you're anything like the Miskews, it might just find its way into regular rotation at your home during chilly sweater weather! Stay tuned for more seasonally-inspired, supremely satisfying recipes and also, do YOU have a favorite comfort food? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the Comments section below!
"COMFORT FOOD: SMOKY STUFFED CABBAGE SOUP"
Author: Stephanie Miskew | The Glamorous Gourmet
Serves: 6
Ingredients
4 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup uncooked, long grain white rice
6 cups chicken stock
2 lbs ground meatloaf mix (beef & pork)
1 yellow onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves minced
1 carrot, peeled & chopped
Small head of Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup tomato sauce
Handful of Italian parsley, roughly chopped
3 Tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
Bay leaf
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
) In a deep pot, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat mixture and brown, about 5-7 minutes. While browning, season the meat with the coriander, allspice, smoked paprika, Kosher salt & black pepper.
) Once meat is browned, add bay leaf, carrot, onion & garlic and cook 3-4 minutes, until veggies begin to soften. Then add cabbage to the pot and begin to wilt.
) Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce & 4 cups of chicken stock to the pot. Cover the pot and bring soup to a boil on high heat and then reduce to simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
) Meanwhile, in a separate pot heat the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the uncooked rice to the pot and toss to coat in the oil, allowing it to slightly toast. Add remaining 2 cups of chicken stock to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook rice for 18-20 minutes or until rice is tender enough to eat.
) Back at the soup pot, add the chopped parsley and dill, stir to combine and season to taste with Kosher salt and black pepper.
) Ladle soup into a bowl and top with a scoop of the cooked rice (I use my ice cream scoop for this!). Garnish with any extra parsley and dill and serve immediately.
With Thanksgiving and its legion of leftovers finally behind us – buh-bye turkey and stuffing – it’s time to change it up and indulge in some deliciously different flavors!
And since it’s officially sweater weather (and you have to say it like this!) it’s prime time for some comforting, satisfying soups as well. So get cozy and comfy and prepare to enjoy our crazy delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup.
“But I don’t LIKE cabbage!” you might say. Well, I used to think that too, but that’s only because you haven’t tried this soup yet. Only a few short years ago, my husband, a gent of Ukrainian descent, expressed a craving for classic Ukrainian dishes such as stuffed cabbage and pierogies. While I had sampled pierogies during the “high carb/no fat” diet trend of the 90’s (yum!), I had never had cabbage before. To be honest, the smell of it never really appealed to me and it seemed rather, um, unglamorous.
But in the spirit of culinary adventure, I did some research and came up with this utterly delicious and comforting recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup that’s guaranteed to win over even the staunchest anti-cabbage-ite.
This thick, rich soup features thin strips of Savoy cabbage braised in a delightful, savory broth featuring ground beef, pork, garlic, onions and tomatoes accentuated by dill, coriander, allspice and smoked paprika. The synergy of these ingredients is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, providing that 1 + 1 = 3 experience we all seek. For the anti-cabbage-ites you’re going to have to trust me on this, but you WILL be thanking me later.
As for a wine pairing, Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup was a head-scratcher at first. But then I did what I usually do on the, ahem, rare occasion I’m stumped for a wine pairing: head to Italy! Italian wines are so incredibly food friendly, they can often help you out of a bind when you’re not sure what to pour. Both Italian whites and reds have wonderful acidity and, with so many to choose from, you’re bound to find a wine with a similar weight as your dish. For this soup, I recommend light-bodied reds such as Barbera d’Asti or Chianti Classico which complement the ground beef, spices and tomato elements of this soup.
Ukrainian or not, I hope you enjoy our delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup as much as we do. If you’re anything like the Miskews, it might just find its way into regular rotation at your home during chilly sweater weather! Stay tuned for more seasonally-inspired, ssatisfying recipes and also, do YOU have a favorite comfort food? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the Comments section below!
Bon appétit,
The post Cozy & Comforting: Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
“As long as we have wine, Thanksgiving will be fine.” – Steve Miskew
The Miskews are fresh off a trip to California wine country, and while very travel weary, we’re blissfully content from indulging in some of the amazing food and wine the Napa Valley has to offer. More on that in the coming weeks but here we are with Thanksgiving a week away (how did THAT happen?) as well as the impending question of which dishes to prepare and, perhaps more importantly, which wines to pair with them.
If you’re a Francophile you may be thinking of breaking out the Burgundy or Bordeaux to pair with your holiday feast but I urge you to consider a French region you might not readily think of, the Languedoc. This diverse region spans the sunny Mediterranean coast and is the largest wine making region in the country. But what makes the region’s wines so perfect for Thanksgiving is a little term known as, garrigue. Garrigue refers to the aromas and flavors of the wild, plentiful vegetation that grows throughout the region, consisting largely of herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme as well as the regional staple, lavender. These delightful aromas and flavors are also expressed in the region’s wines, so what better selections to pair with your Thanksgiving feast?
I recently received a delightful package containing a “Garrigue Kit” which consisted of jars of dried herbs, a few bottles of Languedoc wine and Thanksgiving-inspired recipes to do a little experimenting just in time for the holidays. I’m happy to report the wines highlighted the flavors of the Thanksgiving dishes beautifully and, for these prices, they are incredibly hard to beat and perfect for entertaining a crowd! Below are the pairings we enjoyed most – please click on the name of the wine or dish for purchasing or recipe information:
1.) Oven Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter: This traditional incarnation of the holiday bird by Chef Tyler Florence is simply slathered with sage butter (over AND under the skin to keep the breast meat from drying out) and then roasted to a delightful golden hue. The resulting savory flavors and sage-scented meat and crispy skin harmonized beautifully with the 2014 Chateau de Landure Minervois ($10). This medium-bodied red is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre exhibiting enticing aromas of red and black fruit and spice. On the palate, flavors of cherry, blackberry, leather, black pepper and garrigue accompany supple tannins and a lovely, pleasing acidity.
2.) Farmhouse Herbed Stuffing: If you love a simple, meatless, old-school stuffing that highlights Thanksgiving’s glorious, traditional herbs then THIS stuffing recipe is for you! While we enjoyed this recipe, I recommend making your own bread cubes by simply toasting day old bread in the oven and then stuffing as much of the mixture into the bird to cook as possible. We really enjoyed the flavors of this stuffing paired with the 2014 Chateau de Lancyre Coteaux de Languedoc Pic St. Loup Vielles Vignes ($24). This red blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, has savory notes of blackberry, plum, cassis and earth with supple tannins and a garrigue-tinged finish. The wine’s food friendly acidity also makes it a very versatile pairing at the holiday table.
3.) Lavender Roasted Potatoes (scroll down for recipe): I must admit, I’ve never incorporated the flavor of lavender in my Thanksgiving meal but I’m really looking forward to it this year! For this recipe I used both yellow and purple potatoes to complement the color and flavor of the lavender. While these roasted potatoes also pair nicely with a lavender-imbued rosé, we especially liked them with the 2014 Luc Pirlet Corbières ($10), a medium-bodied blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah. This wine exudes fragrant aromatics of blue and black fruit and earth while notes of plum, blackberry, cassis and black pepper delight on the palate while beautifully accentuating the lavender in the dish.
To learn more about the wines of France’s dynamic Languedoc region, please click here. I hope you have the chance to enjoy these remarkably food friendly wines over the holidays and if you do, please be sure to let me know in the Comments section below! For more delicious Thanksgiving recipes or wine recommendations from The Glamorous Gourmet, please click here. If you’re preparing the holiday meal this year you also won’t want to miss our Thanksgiving Day Cheat Sheet with oodles of helpful information.
Bon appétit,
The post Thanksgiving-Inspired Pairings from the South of France appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
October is officially Merlot Month (aka #MerlotMe on Twitter) which celebrates the long awaited comeback of this most maligned grape variety. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk about this happy occasion recently with John Favole and the team at WPTV Channel 5.
While everyone likes to blame the 2004 movie Sideways for Merlot’s vinous demise, Miles’ rant was just the final nail in the grape’s coffin at the time. The truth is, its popularity had been declining for awhile. At the height of Merlot’s fame, demand was so great some growers were pulling up other, less-profitable vines in order to make room for more of it. This meant planting Merlot vines in less than optimal sites, resulting in the production of poor quality wine. Unfortunately, it became more about quantity than quality. Now, after almost a decade of vinous obscurity, it’s the quality vineyards tended by the true Merlot lovers that mostly remain.
But what’s so great about Merlot anyway and WHY are we celebrating it with Merlot Month? For those who are newbies or just need a reminder, on the likeability scale, Merlot rates pretty high! Known for its plush, lush notes of cherry, plum and chocolate and soft, supple tannins…frankly, what’s NOT to like? It’s inherent characteristics also make it approachable at a young age, unlike its vinous counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape known for aggressive tannins and bold flavors which often needs time in the bottle to soften. While both grapes make delicious varietal wines, the two also complement each other beautifully which is why they are often blended together.
While Merlot was officially “born” in France and is still the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, wonderful examples of the wine can be found in many countries across the globe including Italy, Australia, Chile and the US. Each country imparts its own unique stamp on this grape which can be somewhat of a chameleon depending on where it’s grown. In cooler climates, Merlot is known for exhibiting notes of black and blue fruit, minerals, licorice and herbs. Warmer climates accentuate the grape’s fruitiness, highlighting cherry, candied berry, mocha, spice and soft, sweet tannins.
When it comes to food, due to its supple, fruity nature, Merlot pairs wonderfully with a variety of different dishes. Its hearty texture makes it perfect for serving with dishes such as hard cheeses, cheeseburgers, stews, roasted chicken and steak. Those with a sweet tooth also enjoy it with chocolate-based desserts which complement its lush, fruity tendencies.
I hope you enjoy Merlot Month and continue to enjoy this delicious grape all season long! Please check out our list below of our recommended wines at a variety of different price points. If you’d like to watch the entire WPTV segment, please scroll down to the video below or simply click here. Also, if there’s a particular brand of Merlot you enjoy I’d love to hear about it in the Comments section below. Be sure to share your vinous exploits on Twitter using the hashtag #MerlotMe and check out what other wine lovers are drinking as well.
1.) Falesco Merlot Tellus, Umbria, Italy, 2013 ($14)
2.) Mollydooker Merlot The Scooter, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2013 ($25)
3.) Peju Province Merlot, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($35)
4.) Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($50)
5.) Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($75)
6.) La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain, Napa, CA, 2013 ($80)
The post Celebrating Merlot Month on WPTV Channel 5 appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
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