Always Ravenous

Adventures in Food and Wine

Oregon Pinot Noir Paired with Braised Chicken Thighs, Blackberries, and Fennel Purée #Winophiles

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Disclosure: The wine was provided to me as media samples. All opinions are my own.
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Oregon Pinot Noir Paired wiht Braised Chicken Thighs, Blackberries, and Fennel Purée

It is no secret that Oregon produces top-quality Pinot Noir. Wine pioneers of Oregon’s Willamette Valley back in the 1960s knew the soils and climate were ideal for growing Pinot Noir. Even the French, producers of the world’s highest quality Pinot Noir took notice of Oregon and started expanding into the region. The French invasion started with Maison Joseph Drouhin in 1987 when he decided to purchase land in the Willamette Valley AVA sub-appellation of Dundee Hills. Soon other French wine houses would follow, including Maison Louis Jadot in 2013, purchasing the Résonance Vineyard in the sub-appellation of  Yamhill-Carlton, also part of the Willamette Valley.

This month the French Winophiles are taking a closer look at Oregon + Bourgogne Tied Houses. Some in the group received samples from Domaine Drouhin Oregon and Résonance to taste and perhaps pair with a dish. I received a bottle of Résonance Découverte Vineyard Pinot Noir and paired it with Braised Chicken Thighs, Blackberries, and Fennel Purée. Join our Twitter chat on the subject, Saturday, December 19th, 2020, at 11:00 AM ET. Don’t miss more articles from the French Winophiles on Oregon + Bourgogne Tied Houses at the end of this post.…

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Cabernet Franc Paired with Flavors of Persian Cuisine #WinePW

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a grape variety often used in Bordeaux style blends alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But Cabernet Franc is also made as a single varietal wine. Its signature herbal and green characteristics, and notable acidity and moderate tannins make it a food-friendly wine,  inspiring me to pair it with flavors of Persian cuisine influenced with herbs and spices.

This month the Wine Pairing Weekend group is tasting Cabernet Franc wines from around the world and pairing them with enticing food pairings. Join our Twitter chat on Cabernet Franc and Food Pairings, Saturday, December 12th, 2020, at 11:00 Am ET. Follow the conversation using hashtag #WinePW. Don’t miss other articles from the group at the bottom of this post.…

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Italian Frizzante with Holiday Sweet Treats

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Frizzante with Holiday Sweet Treats

Frizzante (fizzy) is a semi-sparkling Italian wine. The gentle bubbles are produced during a secondary fermentation in large pressurized, sealed stainless steel tanks that trap the bubble creating carbon dioxide inside.  This method is called the Charmat or tank method. The Charmat method is used with grape varieties that are highly aromatic, helping to preserve the  fresh fruity aromas and flavors.

The ideal time to drink Frizzante –  ” … when you want a joyful, quintessentially Italian, democratically priced wine that you can cheerfully polish off a bottle of,” according to Richard Baudains, Decanter World Wine Awards regional chair for Veneto. What better time than now during the holiday season to open a bottle of Frizzante from Piedmont and enjoy it with a selection of holiday sweet treats.

This month the Italian Food, Wine, and Travel group is exploring sparkling wines from Italy.  Join the group on Twitter December 5th at 11:00 AM ET for our chat (using hashtag #ItalianFWT to follow and join the conversation), and be sure to read more articles on sparkling wines of Italy from the group at the end of this post.…

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Why Not Rosé on Turkey Day!

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French Rosé Wines

Whether your Thanksgiving table will be a traditional feast or a modern table of favorites, and if you choose to serve just one type of wine or a collection of different varieties, Rosé should be on your Thanksgiving table, and here is why.

Why Rosé pairs well with the Thanksgiving Table

  1. The light to medium body of rosé complements the range of different dishes on the Thanksgiving table.
  2. The red fruit flavors highlight the cranberry flavors and spices such as clove, cinnamon, and allspice.
  3. Refreshing acidity in the wine cleanses the palate
  4. The wines are generally low in tannins and therefore don’t overwhelm the flavors in the food.
  5. The fruity and savory characteristics in rosé balance the sweet notes found inside dishes like yams.
  6. Rosé is a crowd-pleaser for its easy-drinking qualities.
  7. They are affordable wines, usually ranging in price from $15-30.

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Golden Sweet Bordeaux Wines: Tasting and Pairings

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Golden Sweet Bordeaux Wines

If you haven’t discovered the world of Golden Sweet Bordeaux wines, I urge you to try them for a sensory delight that will have you sipping them as an aperitif and pairing them with your main course, cheese course, and dessert. Sweet Bordeaux wines can be “moelleux” – medium sweet or “liquoreux” – very sweet. They are made from primarily three grape varieties; Sémillon brings color, finesse, and richness, Sauvignon Blanc adds fresh aromatic richness and acidity, and Muscadelle provides powerful floral aromas, low acidity, and roundness. The sensory thrill of sipping these wines comes from the balance between sweetness and fresh acidity….

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Tasting Italy: Le Marche Wines and Pairings

Shrimp Risotto

Le Marche (lay mar-kay) is referred to as Italy’s hidden gem and the next Tuscany.  Located east of Tuscany and Umbria, on the other side of the Apennines Mountains, Le Marche’s entire eastern border is on the Adriatic Sea, lined with magnificent beaches. In addition to the  mountains and coastline, Le Marche is a top…

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Beef Rouladen Paired with Merlot

Beef Rouladen

Beef Rouladen is a German specialty of thin slices of beef, rolled, and stuffed with onions, bacon, mustard, herbs, and cornichons. The rolls are seared and then simmered in a rich gravy until they are fork-tender. My German mother-in-law made beef rouladen for me when I first moved to Germany. The dish was a feast…

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Merlot Pairing: Baked Pasta with Sausage Ragù

Merlot Pairing:Baked Pasta with Sausage Ragù

October is #MerlotMe month! This celebration of Merlot happens to coincide with a seasonal shift in the kitchen. Fewer daylight hours and more time indoors translates to comfort foods that simmer longer on the stove or in the oven, developing layers of flavors. I made a baked pasta with sausage ragù adapted from “Open Kitchen”…

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Lamb Meatballs Paired with Côtes du Rhône

Lamb Meatballs paired with Côtes du Rhône

Who isn’t looking for that easy go-to wine, especially during the week? The answer just may be found with a bottle of Côtes du Rhône wine. They are easy-drinking wines upon release, come in a variety of styles, and a great value. Another plus for Côtes du Rhône wines, they pair well with comfort foods…

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