Always Ravenous

What to Pair with Loire Valley Anjou-Saumur Wines #winophiles

July 19, 2019 By Jane 9 Comments

The world of wine is vast. Trying new wines opens the world up to you in so many ways, including; culturally and geographically. As the saying goes, the more you know about wine, the more you realize how much you don’t know. Try new wines and explore new wine regions. Be wine adventurous!

This month the French Winophiles are taking a closer look at the Loire Valley, specifically the Middle Loire wine region of Anjou and Saumur. While I have tasted wines from the Loire Valley, the Anjou and Saumur regions are new for me. When I explore any new wine region the first thing I do is look at a map of the region, learn the main varieties grown there, the climate and terroir, and then what food to pair with the wines….

Grilled Sausage Feast Paired with Rioja Crianza #winepw

July 12, 2019 By Jane 14 Comments

It’s summertime! Time to fire up the grill! Want an easy, tasty grill menu? A grilled sausage feast and mixed seasonal vegetables paired with a Rioja Crianza is one of my favorite summertime go-to grilling menus. Tempranillo, the principal grape variety in a red Rioja from Spain, has an affinity to pair well with grilled meats from lamb and pork, (popular in Spain) to beef….

Prosecco Superiore Paired With Italian Small Bites #ItalianFWT

July 5, 2019 By Jane 14 Comments

Prosecco is known for its fruity and floral aromas, moderate alcohol, fresh tanginess, and delicate, persistent bubbles. Pour a glass of Prosecco to enjoy as an aperitivo, and you can channel your inner Italian. But don’t stop there, Prosecco is produced in a range of styles; brut, extra dry, and dry and can, therefore, pair with Italian small bites from savory to sweet….

Summer-Inspired French Cheese and Wine Pairings #winophiles

June 14, 2019 By Jane 15 Comments

Summer is the time of year to relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the bounty of mother nature. Meals become simpler, fresher, and are often taken outside. The French seem to have a natural way of embracing this carefree state of mind and celebrate summer with picnic like settings in the garden. I channeled my inner French and created summer-inspired French cheese and wine pairings, picnic style….

South African Chenin Blanc Paired with Shrimp, Scallops, and Mango Salsa #WinePW

June 7, 2019 By Jane 15 Comments

Are you looking for a wine to pair with your summer fare? Have you tasted a South African Chenin Blanc? Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s leading white grape variety, it’s affordable and comes in a range of styles including; sparkling, dry, off-dry, and sweet. I paired a summer appetizer of Shrimp, Scallops, and Mango Salsa with a dry style South African Chenin Blanc for a delightfully mouthwatering pairing….

Chicken Korma with Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc

They say first impressions are everything. I poured a glass of Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc, took a deep inhale into my glass. The delightful aromatics of tropical fruit, floral, and herbs hit my nose and lit up my brain. I knew this was a wine to pair with an equally aromatic dish like an Indian…

Alaskan Salmon with Herbed Ricotta and Oregon Pinot Noir

Two classics that pair well together are wild Alaskan salmon and Oregon Pinot Noir. Yes, I could have this combination every night for dinner, with NO complaints. The season for wild Alaskan salmon is happening NOW, May-September. As a salmon fan, I may not have it every night for dinner, but collecting simply prepared salmon…

Pairing Chablis with Marinated Shrimp Salad

What makes Chablis different from other Chardonnays? Chablis is known as Chardonnay in its purest essence. “The Sommelier’s Atlas,” describes Chardonnay from Chablis like this – “It has that distinctive acidity, that suggestion of minerality, that vaguely earthy note lurking under a mélange of citrus flavors.” It is the naturally high acidity in wines from…

Cheese and wine are instinctive pairing partners. At the end of the day, when I pour a glass of wine, I often raid my refrigerator for some cheese to go along with that wine. If I am entertaining, a cheese plate is often my go-to appetizer to serve my guests with that welcoming glass of…

What to Pair with Loire Valley Anjou-Saumur Wines #winophiles

Grilled Sausage Feast Paired with Rioja Crianza #winepw

Prosecco Superiore Paired With Italian Small Bites #ItalianFWT

Summer-Inspired French Cheese and Wine Pairings #winophiles

South African Chenin Blanc Paired with Shrimp, Scallops, and Mango Salsa #WinePW

Chicken Korma with Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc

Alaskan Salmon with Herbed Ricotta and Oregon Pinot Noir #WinePW

Pairing Chablis with Marinated Shrimp Salad

Inspiring Cheese Plates Paired with Jordan Wines

Get the Latest from Always Ravenous