Wine & Football

     Nothing says football like great food and drinks. If your looking to do a little something different this year for the super bowl, try some wine pairing with some game-day favorites. There are so many approachable reds out there for those new to wine. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is a great, simple Red wine with an amazing taste. Originating in Italy, this dry red wine is consumed at a young age and gentle on the palate. Carrying irresistible flavors like, concord grape, soft blackberries and even strawberries. .

    Celebrate your winning team with great food and wine. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wine can pair well with steak and grilled poultry .

***Recipe for thought***       BBQ Kabobs with Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo


1 pound cubed chicken breast                                  ½ tsp garlic powder
1 pound cubed beef sirloin                                        ½ tsp ground ginger
1 large sweet onion cut into 2 inch pieces                1 ½ cup bourbon bbq sauce
1 large red pepper cut into 2 inch pieces                  pinch black pepper
Skewers                                                                    1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

    In a large bowl, combine bourbon BBQ sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper and soy sauce. In a large resealable plastic bag, add about ¼ cup of marinade with chicken, beef, onions and red peppers. Seal bag and turn to coat meat and veggies, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight; cover and store remaining marinade. Drain marinade and thread meat and veggies randomly onto skewers. Grill skewers on medium to high heat or broil in oven for about 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until meats are to your preferred doneness.
    Bast skewers with remaining marinade as they cook. If your using wood skewers, make sure that you soak them in water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour so they will not burn while your kabobs are cooking. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo will be great served at room temperature or slightly chilled with your kabobs. Serve with bread, basmati rice or just with your wine.

****Valentine's Tips****

If you need some ideas for Valentine's Day, here are some ways for you to get creative. 

1. Searching for a little romance?
Wine & Chocolate! Enough said! There is nothing like a milk chocolate mousse or turtle cheesecake with  a light-bodied Merlot or a Sparkling Wine with milk chocolate dipped strawberries. A Port will create a great balance with dark chocolate. 

2. Gifts for Family or Friends!
Wine certificates or wine gift baskets are great gifts. You can even create your own gift baskets with wine, chocolates & cheese. And for those friends who are not familiar with wine, tasting kits are also available with a Chardonnay. 

3.  Thinking of throwing a party?
Fortified wines can be really good for parties. These wines have a little more alcohol added during fermentation. They can be sweet or dry. Examples would be Port, Sherry or Marsala. These wines are good for appetizers or desserts. Good foods can be cheeses, nuts or chocolate desserts. 

Getting Cozy

     There is nothing like having a cozy winter evening inside with a movie and a glass of wine. Something bold with a hint of spice can warm up any night. Shiraz wine, also pronounced Syrah, is a very bold red wine and is very popular in Australia. The Shiraz grape is a deep-purple in color and it is also grown in France and South Africa. The tannins in Shiraz wines are firm and have flavors of blackberry and plums to black pepper and bell peppers.
    Foods to pair with Shiraz can be rich red meats, grilled meats, and grilled vegetables. When it comes to authentic dishes, Indian and Mexican will match very well.

***Recipe for thought***            Homemade Meat Lover’s Pizza with Shiraz

1 pound lean ground beef                                 ½ tsp garlic powder
4-5 slices of cooked bacon crumbled                1 cup pizza sauce
1 pkg sliced pepperoni                                     2 cups mozzarella cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning                                    1 package of pizza dough (or ready made crust)
½ tsp dried oregano                                         1 tsp of olive oil or 1 tbsp flour

    Preheat oven for 390 degrees F and in a large skillet, brown ground beef until there is no more pink. Spread out pizza dough as directed using olive oil or flour to help shape the crust. Add pizza sauce to shaped pizza dough then sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder. Layer pizza with ground beef, pepperoni, cheese and crumbled bacon. Last, top with Italian seasoning. Cook pizza in preheated oven for about 15 - 20 mins or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.
    Shiraz wine can also be paired with wild game dishes and beef stews. So depending on your mood, this hearty and spicy red wine can sooth your evening.

Healthy Choices

     
Some people wonder if Champagne is a true wine. The truth is, Champagne and all sparkling wines are considered true wines. France produces Champagne and it is known as the most popular sparkling wine. It comes from a combination of Pinot wines and Chardonnay. Champagne has the aromas of apple and a range of fruity and nutty flavors.
    Champagne and Sparkling wines are classified as extra brut, brut, extra dry, sec and demi-sec. Brut is dry but food friendly. Demi-sec pairs well with desserts or fresh fruits. It is great to have a nice chilled glass or as a cocktail. Champagnes can be mixed with fruit drinks, other wines, liquors and syrups. If your looking for  something to pair with a light and healthy lunch, a crisp Champagne cocktail will match well.

*** Recipe for thought***   Grilled Chicken & Chickpea Salad with Champagne Cocktail

1 pound chicken breast                                 ¼ cup light honey mustard dressing (optional)
¼ cup chickpeas                                           ⅛ tsp Italian seasoning
⅛ cup cubed red beats                                 ⅛ tsp garlic salt
10 ounces bag baby spinach                        1 bottle brut Champagne
1 tbsp sunflower seed kernals                      1 bottle peach juice or puree


    Season chicken breast with garlic salt and Italian seasoning; then cook on grill or pre-heated grill press. Cook through until juices run clear. Then cut chicken into long strips and top on spinach, red beats, chickpeas and sunflower seeds. Drizzle honey mustard dressing over salad or dressing of your choice. It is best to make your cocktail with chilled peach juice and Champagne. Pour about 2 ounces of peach juice into Champagne flute and follow by filling glass slowly with chilled Champagne. There are plenty of cocktail recipes to enjoy whether paired with breakfast or dinner. Discover the great taste of sparkling wines.

Craving Take-out?

     If your looking forward to relaxing indoors with a glass of wine, Merlot wine is a good choice. This wine originated in a part of France were the Merlot red grape is dominate. It can blend with other varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon to create an amazing combination. Merlot has irresistible fresh fruit flavors and aromas of cocoa. It is a soft wine which makes it very easy to drink and if it is aged, it’s even better.

     All these qualities make Merlot a very food friendly wine as well. This wine can be paired with poultry, salads, pastas and pork. With that being said, if your in the mood for take-out, ginger chicken would be a great idea. Red meats also pair exceptionally well like peppered steak. A favorite is beef and broccoli. Although this dish can be found on many take-out menus, it can also be made right at home.

***Recipe for Thought***     Beef & Broccoli with Merlot

1 pound round steak cut into pieces                       1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp crushed garlic                                                1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 cups broccoli florets                                            1 tbsp cornstarch 
1/4 cup chopped onion                                           1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1 beef bouillon cube                                              1 cup water
1 tsp white sugar                                                   2 tbsp olive oil

     Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Saute’ garlic and onion until tender. Season steak with pepper and ginger then, add to garlic and onions. Cook steak until completely browned. Reduce heat and stir in broccoli florets. Heat water and beef bouillon cube until cube is completely dissolves. Let broth cool a little and stir in cornstarch until smooth. Immediately add mixture to steak and broccoli. As sauce starts to thicken, stir in soy sauce and sugar. Serve over jasmin rice or lo mein noodles.  
      The flavors of the steak will accompany the Merlot well in this dish. Some Merlot even have black pepper tones which would match well with your seasonings. So you have the option of ordering out or having wine with your own creation.

Into the New Year

     As mentioned in Holiday Tips, Sauvignon Blanc is great to have with your appetizers and dips. It originated in France and has also gone as far as New Zealand. This wine is medium-bodied but very crisp. This food friendly wine not only pairs well with appetizers. This dry white wine can satisfy a number a different taste buds.

***Recipe for Thought***   Chicken Alfredo - Cheese Tortellini with Sauvignon Blanc

1 pound cubed Chicken breast                           ½ tsp salt
1 tsp crushed garlic                                            1 jar garlic alfredo sauce
½ tsp Italian seasoning                                       3 tbp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste                                      1 ½ cups  cheese tortellini                

    In a large fry pan, heat oil and sautee’ chicken and garlic. Season chicken with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.  Once chicken is cooked through and juices run clear, turn heat on low and add garlic alfredo sauce. Simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes until sauce is slightly bubbly.  Boil tortellini for about 10 to 11 minutes until pasta is tender and serve chicken alfredo sauce over tortellini.                
    This dish is full of creamy Italian seasonings. A great pair with the range of flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. From herbal to fruits and berries, this wine is gentle to the pellet. It can be enjoyed year round and Sauvignon Blanc can be found at an inexpensive price.