Wine and Food Pairing - Pinot Noir and Vinegar

I learned something new about food and wine pairing from Food Network star Ted Allen in the Youtube wine video titled 'Robert Mondavi Discover Wine with Ted Allen: Vinegar.'

 Allen suggests using a vinegar as a final seasoning for meats and pairing the dish with a Pinot Noir. He explains that the acidity of the vinegar brings out the fruitiness of Pinor Noir wine.

I have enjoyed Pinot Noir mostly with salmon, but I am eager to try serving this red wine with meats as well. The idea of using vinegar instead of extra salt to provide extra taste seems a healthier choice! 

The video is available here: http://youtu.be/fPLudaXDfTQ


Would you add vinegar to food as a seasoning? 

Robert Mondavi features more wine and food pairing videos on their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/RobertMondaviPS

Most-read Articles: Best Red Wine and Appetizer Pairings - Click here
How to serve Brie and Camembert Cheese - Click Here  

Weekday Dinner Red Wine Pairings

Late Winter - Early Spring Wines

The temperatures are still below freezing most days here in Upstate New York and I find myself cooking in the evening, after the sun has set. I'm dreaming of spring temperatures, but snow is still on the ground.

What to drink?

For weekday meals, I need an inexpensive wine that can serve as both a match for my dinner and a pairing for simple appetizers I am snacking on while I prepare dinner.

Here are three choices that I have enjoyed lately -

Bogle Merlot - My boyfriend Arun picked up this wine, and I enjoy it's oaky notes and red berry flavor as much with dinner as I do by itself. I keep a bottle of this on hand as my 'crazy day at work must have a half glass immediately upon arriving home' wine. I also enjoy a glass with Kashi pizzas, especially the mushroom trio, though cheese or tomato based pizza is also a pleasant pairing.

'Alchemy' from Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport, NY. I purchased this wine at Capital Wine and Spirits in Albany. Alchemy is mostly Cab Franc and Merlot, full details are here.

I was very impressed with this wine. I love Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes, but am wary of any other red wine. I need to get over my fears and explore more red wines from the Finger Lakes, because this one was well balanced and delicious. I brought the bottle to a potluck party. Hunt Country offers recipe pairings for many of their wines on their website.

And a sparkler - Gruet Methode Champenoise Brut from New Mexico. I buy this at Empire Wine in Colonie.

What does New Mexico know about wine making? Apparently alot, as this wine is elegant and quite tasty! I would recommend this wine as an everyday celebration wine, and a gift. I would also bring this wine to a potluck, the idea of sparkling wine from New Mexico is a conversation starter and when your friends find out the price, they will thank you for spilling your sparkling wine secret!



Most-read Articles:
Best Red Wine and Appetizer Pairings - Click here
How to serve Brie and Camembert Cheese - Click Here

How California Winemakers Prune Vineyard Grapes

In this video from the California Food and Wine Alliance website, I speak with Mark Enlow from Tamayo Family Vineyards about the practice of pruning the second fruit from the vines.

I admired Mark's passion for all aspects of the winemaking process. He wants the best possible wines to come from Contra Costa County vineyards - even when they vines aren't his own!

What wine pairs best with vegetarian meal?

Veggies & Vino! will spotlight the incredible agricultural riches of harvest season in the Hudson Valley—from great wines to a veritable cornucopia of fabulous vegetables. The event is the result of a partnership with volunteer students from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), who will design the recipes and prepare the food. The event will take place at Whitecliff in Gardiner, NY on Sunday, September 26, 2010.

Yancey Stanforth-Migliore, owner of Whitecliff, presented a selection of wines this summer to some of the students in the nutrition class of Jennifer Stack. Jennifer, who is Nutrition Instructor at the Culinary Institute, is volunteering to partner with Whitecliff on the event. Wines were chosen for variety of style, and include a range from dry to fruity, and light to full bodied. Five student teams have each select a specific wine, and are developing recipes to complement the wine based on foods that are fresh and in season in the Hudson Valley. Just before the September event, Stanforth-Migliore will take the students to meet with local farmers at Four Winds Farm and Talliaferro Farm, two fine local organic growers, to buy produce directly from the farm. At the event, the public will be invited to move between the various tasting stations to taste each wine with its paired recipe, and to speak with the students who designed them.

Jennifer Stack is Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts at the CIA, and is proprietor and executive chef of Cedar Hill Bed and Breakfast, right next door to Whitecliff in Gardiner. Whitecliff Vineyard is an eleven-year old Hudson Valley Winery with a 26-acre vineyard and a strong emphasis on grape-growing. Its European-style wines are featured in some of the region's best restaurants, including the CIA, Gramercy Tavern, and Xavier's, and its Riesling just won Best White Wine in Show at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Tickets at $19 in advance and $21 at the door are available for either of two seatings, at 2 pm and 4 pm. They include tapas sized food portions and tastes of five wines. Weather permitting, lawn seating will be available for the afternoon for $25. Whitecliff is located at 331 Mckinstry Road in Gardiner. For further information, call 845-255-4613.

Food and Wine Pairings with Hannah Nicole Wines

I recently discussed wine and food pairing with Hannah Nicole Vineyards founders Neil and Glenda Cohn at the Contra Costa Wine Growers Summer Celebration.



Click here for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTF0yOn9vyk

Drinking New York - Calendar for wine related events in New York state

My friend Bill Dowd sent me the following message:

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DRINKING NEW YORK contains New York-centric news, tastings, event information and product debuts.

Please join me at http://drinkingny.wordpress.com for THE most comprehensive New York State drinks event calendar available anywhere (feel free to send in news of your events), plus some new features such as HANGOUTS, where you’ll be introduced to the trendiest spots opening up.

Upstate, Downstate, NYC Metro, Long Island ... Wine, liquor, beers ... They’re all fair game for inclusion on DRINKING NEW YORK.

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If you are planning a wine or beer country vacation in New York, check out his listing of New York's beverage trails here:
http://drinkingny.wordpress.com/nys-beverage-trails/

October 2010 Albany Schenectady bus tours to Finger Lakes wineries

Wade Tours has two wine themed bus tours this fall.

The trip to the NY Wine and Culinary Center is Sunday, October 3, 2010.

The Wine Tasting in the Finger Lakes tour is Sunday, October 10, 2010. Wineries include Bellhurst Winery, Ventosa Vineyards, Zugibees & Three Brothers.

More information is at wadetours.com