A Good Impression

     There are so many varieties of wines that match very well with the winter season. Among the list of white and red wines, Chardonnay is a popular dry white wine. While Chardonnay is well known in the U.S., its famous worldwide. The Chardonnay grape can withstand different climates which makes production so abundant. This wine carries flavors that range from refreshing fruit flavors to a smooth buttered taste.

Recipe for thought***  Chicken, Bacon & Spinach Grilled Panini with Chardonnay

1 cup cooked diced chicken                        provolone cheese
1 ½ cup fresh spinach                                1 focaccia bread, quartered
½ cup real bacon bits (optional)                 1 cup mayo and 2 garlic cloves


    In a bowl, mix 2 garlic cloves and mayo and refrigerate until ready. While panini press or grill press in heating, cut bread horizontally into about 8 to 10 slices. Spread garlic mayo on halves of focaccia. Then place even amounts of chicken, bacon, spinach and provolone on each half. Last, place other half of bread on top, forming 4 to 5 paninis. Grill paninis in press until cheese is melted and bread is crisp.
    Chardonnay wine can be found at farely good prices and you don’t have to limit your taste buds to just poultry. Recipes with pork, seafood and butter bases also make good combinations. If a unoaked Chardonnay is preferred, salads will taste great with this flavor. Just in case your planning to eat light. So having a quiet evening for two or hosting a small party, Chardonnay will make a great flavorful impression.

For After Dinner

Once you have enjoyed all the holiday chicken, roast or ham you can eat, it’s time for some of those favorite desserts. As mentioned before, Moscato is a great choice for a dessert wine but it is not the only option. Brachetto d’Aqui Wine is a sparkling red wine from the Peidmont areas of Italy. It carries unique aromas and sweet ripe fruit flavors. This wine has low alcohol content and pairs well with desserts.

***Recipe for Thought***     Vanilla Crunch Tart with Brachetto Wine   

1 honey graham pie crust  ½ cup Kashi GoLean Crunch Honey Almond Flax
1 cup cold milk               1 (3.4 ounce) Vanilla flavor instant pudding
1 cup cool whip topping      1 cup mixed fruit (strawberries, sliced kiwi & 

mandarin oranges)            

In a mixing bowl, beat together pudding mix and milk for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in cool whip with a spoon and place mixture into honey graham pie crust. Refrigerate tart for about 3 to 4 hours until firm. Arrange mixed fruit on tip of tart filling and sprinkle with Kashi GoLean Crunch Honey Almond Flax. Always serve well chilled.
    Brachetto Wine natural fruit flavors match well with any fresh fruit dessert and that is not the limit. Brachetto d’Aqui Wines make very good encounters with chocolate desserts and rich pecan pie. This sparkling dessert wine dances across your tongue and can bring a sweet end to your food filled evening.

****Holiday Tips****

Here are some ideas for the holiday! Whether some snacks before Christmas dinner or coming into the New Year with some classy options! 

1. Craving crisp & refreshing taste?

Sauvignon Blanc - A dry white wine. Pairs very well with veggie dishes or dips such as spinach & artichoke. This another food friendly wine. Sushi is even a good match. 

2. Looking for a bold & spicy flavor?

Shiraz Wine - A bold red wine. Consider pairing with smoked sausage, ham biscuits or if your feeling like pizza, order a meat lovers! 

3. Searching for a red wine with style? 

Pinot Noir Wine - A light-bodied red wine. Creates some great combinations with cheese trays, rolled meat trays and even mushroom appetizers. 

Happy Holidays

The opportunity to enjoy great food to no limits is during the holiday season. Why not spice it up with a nice glass of wine with your meal. Tempranillo wine is a very food friendly wine. It is not very acidic and it has some great fruit flavors. The Tempranillo grape is popular in Spain and is known for different varieties of Rioja wines.
    Tempranillo pairs well with roasted and grilled meats. For the holiday, it also has a great taste with roasted pork.

*** Recipe for Thought***   Garlic Pork Roast with Gravy and Tempranillo

2 pound pork loin roast                    1 tsp. garlic powder
salt &  pepper                                1 tsp. onion powder
½ tsp. dried rosemary                     pork gravy

    Preheat oven for 350 degrees F. Season pork loin with rosemary, garlic and onion powder. A good way to season pork is by rubbing in spices like a dry rub. Sprinkle seasoned pork with salt and pepper and place in a shallow roasting pan. Cook roast for about 50 minutes to an hour until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F. Let stand covered for a few minutes before slicing and serve with pork gravy.
    Tempranillo creates a great combination of flavors with this dish. Options for side items include mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted potatoes and rice. Even if you choose to make a more traditional Christmas dinner, Tempranillo can also be a great wine with roasted goose or honey ham. During the Christmas season, it is a great time to pair wine with old and new recipes for your dinner. Bring in your holiday with happiness, love and a new taste.

Party Favorites

      It is early in the season and it is time to celebrate. Whether it is a holiday party or planning for the New Year, there are always possibilities to making your party a special event. No matter if it is a white wine or a red wine, you can give your guest a few options to have with your party menu. There are plenty of common appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that will match well with wines. This is good information to know even if your planning on just attending a few parties as well.

    Pinto Noir is a red wine with sweet and fruity flavors. But this wine is a very versatile food wine. It pairs well with cheese trays, veggie trays and baked ham biscuits. Another red wine, that goes very well with deviled egg appetizers, is Cabernet Sauvignon. Riesling is a white grape wine that can be found as sweet and dry varieties.

Recipe for thought***  Large Shrimp Wrapped Bacon with Riesling

1 pound of fresh large shrimp deveined

6 slices of smoked bacon

garlic powder

large toothpicks

    Line a flat cookie sheet with foil or use a baking rack pan to cook the shrimp. Cut the slices of bacon into 3 parts so that you will have a total of 18 pieces of bacon. Wrap large shrimp with piece of bacon and fasten bacon with large toothpick. Arrange bacon wrapped shrimp in pan about a inch apart and then lightly sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake shrimp for about 15 minutes on 450 degrees.

    Shellfish is a good pair with Riesling but it also goes well with fruit trays, poultry appetizers and spicy foods. One thing to remember, parties through your winter season will not always be appetizers only. Shiraz goes well with red meats and meats that are grilled. Recipe ideas for these party wines can be endless.

Savings & Enjoymment

        The holidays are right around the corner. Before you know it, Christmas will be here and soon after the New Year. It's the time to save but you can also have a nice lunch or dinner on a decent  budget. Some worry that to have a nice glass of wine, you have to spend  a lot of money. This is not always true. Italian dishes are great with wine but there are also other cultural dishes that make nice pairs with wine. 

Recipe for thought***  Chicken Enchiladas with Yellow Rice and Malbec Wine

2 pounds of chicken breast                          1 chicken taco seasoning
6-8 flour tortillas                                        1 enchilada sauce mix
1/4 cup red peppers                                    1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
8 oz tomato sauce                                      1 package yellow rice

     Cut chicken into strips or cube into small size pieces. Saute' chicken and red peppers until cooked through well. Add taco seasoning mix as directed to season chicken and set aside to cool. Make enchilada sauce as directed and assemble enchiladas using tortilla, sprinkle of shredded cheese and seasoned chicken. Arrange enchiladas in pan or glass dish and cover with desired amount of sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. While enchiladas are baking, prepare yellow rice as directed and serve enchiladas over rice. 
     This dish is paired with Malbec wine. It is a full-flavored wine with fruits such as blackberries and plums that bring out a unique taste. The Malbec grape is great for blending and great among red wines. Even if your not in the mood for a Mexican dish, Malbec also goes well with tomato based Italian, Cajun taste such as jambalaya or Indian cuisines. Never think your options are limited. 
     Serving sizes for this meal are at least 2 people and 4 people at the most. The grand total comes to approximately $15 including your wine. Prices may vary depending on store and brand of Malbec wine. So if your entertaining a few guest or having a cultural dish for two, you can have wine at a good price. 

THE Sweet Grape

     There are so many people that like sweet wines. A popular sweet grape is the Muscat grape. It is used to make so many varieties of Moscato Wine along with sparkling wines. This grape can create so many different distinct flavors that this wines can be enjoyed just standing alone. But whenever ordering a dessert, Moscato wine is always a good choice. Plus you don't have to limit yourself to just a night out.
     Moscato wine can be paired with desserts you can make right at home. Although desserts that are made with fruits usually pair really well with wines, it is also best to choose a wine slightly less sweeter than your dessert. Tasty options include:

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Marbled Brownies
Apple Dumplings 
Blueberry Cobbler
Chewy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Recipe for Thought*** White Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Moscato d'Asti 

Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
2 cups of white chocolate chunks
1/3 cup of oil
2 large egg

     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and in mixing bowl combine, brownie mix, oil and eggs. Stir with a fork and then add white chocolate chunks to cookie dough. Spoon out tablespoons of cookie dough on a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until cookies are set. The Moscato d'Asti is a sparkling wine among the varieties. It pairs well with white chocolate but always remember, there are other options for you to try with white chocolate. 
     Even though Moscato can be paired with desserts, it is always best to test out all possibilities for your taste buds. You may find that you like this wine paired or more so just as a crisp glass for the evening. 

Tasty Red!

     Cabernet Sauvignon! Enough said.. The taste is smooth and when paired with the right dish, it dances across the pallet of your tongue. Cabernet is also a red wine that improves with age. While two and three years old Cabernet's are great, even older cellar years have amazing flavor. These wines have been known to drive collectors crazy and are well worth the wait.
     When it comes to food, Cabernet Sauvignon can combine and bring out qualities of the wine that you didn't know existed. This tasty red goes great with strong cheese, red meats, and red pastas. It also is not limited to just a main dish. For any and every chocolate lover, it can mesmerizer your sweet buds. Some ideas for a harmonious meals or desserts include:

* Grilled Ribye Steak with Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes
* Ground Beef and Sharp Cheddar Cheese Pizza
* Lamb Burgers with Gouda and Arugula
* 3-Cheese Ground Beef Lasagna
* Espresso Dark Chocolate Cookies
* Black Forest Chocolate Cake

     These are recipes that can be searched on all general recipe websites. Some may be even passed down through the family or created to ones taste. The key is to know what meals pair with Cabernet's and always remember, there is nothing like having a chilled glass paired with a quiet evening.

Making It Special

     An ideal evening to relax and not worry about the day you had at work, is to enjoy a glass of wine. Whether it is with a meal, dessert or standing alone. Pinot Grigo is a smooth white wine. It is enjoyable at room temperature but amazing chilled. Although it is slightly sweet, depending on what brand and whether it is made with pears or melons, it develops a soothing undertone that sticks with you. It is great to pair with pastas and light desserts. An acceptable dish is Pinot Grigio and Garlic Chicken Orzo. 
         

Recipe for thought***

                                   2 pounds of chicken breast
                                   1/2 stick of butter or 1/2 cup margarine
                                   1/2 clove of garlic 
                                   1 tsp of garlic powder
                                   1/2 tsp italian seasoning
                                   1/4 tsp onion powder
                                   1/8 tsp salt
                                   pinch of black pepper
                                   1 cup orzo pasta 
                                   2 tbsp of sunflower oil

     Cube chicken breast and season with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Saute' garlic and chicken with sunflower oil  in a large skillet until chicken is no longer pink. Biol orzo as directed on packet and drain. Mix orzo and cooked chicken while hot with butter until butter is melted  through. Last, add garlic powder to pasta and serve. 
      The flavor is light and the butter sauce doesn't over-power the wine. This meal would go great for a special occasion or to make any day of the week special. Don't hesitate to have a great Italian wine right at home.