Blog
Archive for the ‘Wine Pairing Guide’ Category
Saturday, March 30th, 2013
Spring has sprung and Temecula Valley is celebrating with some unexpected wines! For the seasoned wine-lover, these unusual varietals offer a new and surprising twist to the classic wine tasting experience.
Check out our recommendations for some exciting wines coming out of Temecula Valley wine country. Now that’s something worth toasting – cheers!
Temecula Sparkling Wines for Spring
California sparkling wine is primarily made with chardonnay and pinot noir – but here are a few surprising sparklers to liven up your spring table!
South Coast Winery grows a large variety of fascinating grapes in Temecula Valley. This winery estate currently offers Sparkling Gewurztraminer (a popular German grape) and Sparkling Pinot Grigio (Italian white grape), both at $18. Their famous Ruby Cuvée* ($22) is bright red in color and made from syrah, which is a key grape from the Rhone region of France. The stylish bottle makes a favorite host gift for bridal showers, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and other girlie special occasions.
Thornton Winery offers a similar sparkler: their syrah/grenache blend – N.V.** Cuvée Rouge – retails for $24.
Counoise Blanc de Noir Sparkling ($24), produced by Oak Mountain Winery, offers an unusual sparkling wine – fruit-forward with a blush color and an earthy finish.
Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these wines?
Pair these spring sparklers with some seasonal fruit (oranges, cherries and strawberries) and locally-sourced cheese. We recommend a visit to Temecula Valley Cheese Company (951-693-9500.) Or top off with some OJ and you’ve got yourself one classy mimosa to serve with a simple spring frittata.
Temecula White Wines for Spring
Commonly found in Spain and Portugal, Albariño is a lesser-known white grape which does very well in Temecula Valley. Keyways Vineyards & Winery produces this bottle for $23, along with the French grape Roussane ($29) which is similar in taste to Viognier.
Bright, zesty and crisp, French fave Sémillon makes an appearance at the micro-boutique winery, Doffo Vineyards.
Wilson Creek Winery’s Spring White ($18.99) is a light and refreshing choice, and an obvious selection given the season.
Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these wines?
Sip these rare white wines alongside citrus-marinated salmon or a light asparagus & pea pasta dish topped with Parmesan. Might we also suggest a spring-vegetable paella?
Temecula Red Wines for Spring
Robert Renzoni grows an unusual Italian grape called Lagrein, which he then combines with Merlot to create an unexpected blend called Vecchio Frate – translation “Old Friar” – resulting in a perfectly light and fruity red to sip during these spring months. ($38)
Heard of Primitivo, Vermentino or Arneis? Don’t worry, most of us haven’t! But Cougar Vineyard & Winery boasts these virtually unknown Italian red grapes, happily introducing them to Southern California wine enthusiasts. (prices vary)
Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these?
Quick crab stew in tomato-fennel broth or Mediterranean grilled chicken salad not only pair well, but are simple weekday supper options when you want to keep things light and easy.
*cuvée means blend
**non-vintage meaning grapes from different years blended together
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” ~William Shakespeare
www.ronaldpratt.com
Tags: california spring wine round-up, california wine round-up, california wines, southern california wineries, spring wine round-up, Temecula Valley, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine country, temecula wine tasting, temecula wineries, temecula winery, temecula wines, unexpected california wines, unexpected wines, unexpected wines for spring, unusual calfironia wine, unusual red wine, unusual red wines, unusual sparkling wine, unusual sparkling wines, unusual white wine, unusual white wines, unusual wine, unusual wines, unusual wines for spring, visit temecula, wine country, wine pairing, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley, winery events
Posted in "Best Of" Wines, Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Thursday, February 28th, 2013
Red wine blends are increasingly popular in the US, though they’ve long been the standard for regions as famous as Bordeaux, the Southern Rhone and Tuscany. Why? Because winemakers appreciate the flexibility and control blending allows; they are able fine tune the final wine to bring out the best of each variety and use them to balance each other. Like a meal made with one ingredient or a song that features only one instrument, single variety wines are sometimes less interesting and harmonious than blends.
Red wine blends may be labeled a variety of ways. Some popular blends you may see in Temecula include “Meritage” or “Super Tuscan” wines, but wineries frequently give their blends proprietary names, such as Monte de Oro’s Synergy 65, Callaway’s Calliope Red or Wilson Creek’s Double Dog Red. This is a fun way of making the wine more identifiable, but it also signifies that the winery has truly created a wine that is theirs and theirs alone, since no two blends are exactly alike!
*See below for more Temecula red blends.
Here are five fun facts about red wine blends!
- Bordeaux blends: Red Bordeaux blends are generally made from a combination primarily dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot. They also often include Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère.
- A red Meritage is a Bordeaux-style wine made in California that is a combination of at least two of six varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carmenère.
- A Super Tuscan originally served as reference to an Italian viticulture region. While some Super Tuscans are single varietal, most are blends primarily containing Sangiovese or Merlot, some are blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and some even more unusual blends which might include Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
- GSM is a classic combination of three grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) from the southern Rhone Valley. It is also referred to as a Southern Rhone blend.
- Rhone blends from France’s Rhone Valley can contain up to 22 varieties. As the US has only 12 of those varietals planted, New World wines are most often a combination Syrah and Viognier blended with Mourvèdre, Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne, and perhaps Counoise, Cinsaut, Grenache Blanc and Petite Sirah.
Looking for a great Temecula Valley red wine blend? Check these wines out!
Tags: about red wine blends, bordeaux blends, Callaway, gsm, longshadow, Longshadow Ranch Vineyard & Winery, longshadow winery, meritage, monte de oro, palumbo, palumbo winery, red blends, red wine, red wine blends, rhone blends, South Coast Winery, south coast winery and spa, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, southern california wineries, super tuscan, temecula award winning wines, Temecula Valley, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine tasting, temecula winery, temecula wines, vindemia, visit temecula, what are red wine blends, what are wine blends, Wilson Creek, wine blends, wine country, wine country southern california, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley
Posted in 5 Facts About Wine..., Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Are you familiar with late harvest wine?
Remember those small, lovely bottles you’ve seen in the dessert wine section of your favorite tasting room or wine store?
Many wine-lovers have yet to discover how delicious a late harvest wine can taste – especially when paired with cheese and honey, chocolate or a fruit-based dessert.
The perfect sweet dessert wine for Valentine’s day, late harvest wine is simple to understand and easy to find here in Temecula Valley!
Here are five fun facts about late harvest wine!
- “Late harvest” refers to wines made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual and picked later than normal. Late harvest grapes are often more similar to raisins, but have been naturally dehydrated while still on the vine.
- Late harvest wines are made around the world with almost every grape imaginable. Grapes like zinfandel and riesling are ideally suited to produce late harvest wine and are among the most popular.
- Grapes used for late harvest wines go through their full growth cycle and then some – becoming super sweet and losing acidity as they ripen.
- “Noble rot” is the term for the edible mold that causes grapes to lose nearly all of their water content. This natural process begins to take place in late September and can last until late October.
- Late harvest grapes are often hand-picked. Sometimes, the usable grapes from one vine may only produce enough juice for a single glass.
Looking for a great bottle of Temecula Valley Late Harvest Wine? Check these wines out!
Tags: about dessert wines, about late harvest wine, about sweet wines, best dessert wine pairings, Callaway, Danza Del Sol, dessert wines, late harvest, late harvest wine, late harvest wines, south coast, South Coast Winery, temecula award winning wines, Temecula Valley, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine tasting, temecula wineries, temecula winery, temecula wines, visit temecula, what is late harvest wine, Wilson Creek, wilson creek winery, Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard, wine country, wine pairing, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley
Posted in 5 Facts About Wine..., Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Monday, October 29th, 2012
Temecula Valley Receives Multiple Nominations for Snooth’s People’s Voice Awards: Epicurean Edition
Congratulations to several Temecula wineries for their nominations in multiple categories on the popular online wine magazine, Snooth.com!
Now through November 30, you have the chance to vote on your favorite food and wine pairings in eight great categories, with each vote entering you in a drawing to win an exceptional set of designer cookware. This $1200 set of gourmet cookware will make your kitchen the envy of all your friends, and all you have to do is click here for the categories.
Nominated Temecula Wineries Include:
*Vote now* through November 30, 2012. The public votes on their favorite pairings, creating the ultimate menu just in time for the holidays. The winning menu & wines will be featured on Snooth through the holiday season.
Share your vote with your friends!
- Share the the link to your voting page (http://snth.me/XW34ey) via social media and email!
- Tweet it to your followers using our hashtag #SnoothPVAEE!
- Post it for your Facebook fans and tag us so we can like your post too!
Tags: baily, best wine country recipes, Callaway, cougar, Cougar Vineyard and Winery, Oak Mountain Winery, Ponte Family Estate Winery, recipe contest, renzoni, snooth, snooth wine, snooth.com. snooth contest, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, southern california wineries, Temecula Valley, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine, temecula wine country, temecula wine events, temecula wine tasting, temecula wineries, temecula winery, temecula wines, visit temecula, Wilson Creek, wilson creek winery, Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard, wine country, wine pairing, wine pairing recipes. wine country recipes, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley, winery events
Posted in Recipes, Wine Pairing Guide, Winery News | Comments Off
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
We’re officially past the halfway mark in October, which means Halloween will be here and gone in a flash. Before you can say “turkey,” you’ll find yourself staring face to face with the biggest food holiday of the year- Thanksgiving! There’s no need to panic- we’ve got the perfect wine pairings to go with each dish on your Thanksgiving table so you’ll be way ahead of the curve. Just follow this simple guide and your friends and family will be thanking YOU for making their holiday meal extra special no matter what your budget.
Light appetizers:
Value: Stuart Cellars 2008 Pinot Grigio- $16.00
Splurge: Briar Rose Winery 2010 Estate Viognier- $25.00
These bright yet mellow whites pair well with light dishes to kick off your Thanksgiving meal. A salad of pears, blue cheese and walnuts or a lemony crab salad in endive leaves would be complimented by the white peach and floral notes of both wines.
Herbacious side dishes:
Value: Mount Palomar 2006 Sangiovese- $26.00
Splurge: Doffo Vineyards 2009 Syrah- $46.00
The bold, black fruit flavors of these reds pair especially well with stuffings and gravies featuring herbs such as sage, thyme and rosemary. Having an all-vegetarian Thanksgiving? Both wines are perfect for earthy mushroom and winter squash dishes as well.
Poultry, meats and heat
Value: Hart Family Winery 2007 Driveway Red- $20.00
Mid-range: Monte De Oro Winery 2007 Merlot- $28.00
Splurge: Weins 2008 Reserve Tempranillo-Petite Sirah- $49.00
Putting a Southwestern spin on your turkey this year? The dark fruit-spice in these big reds will enhance similar flavors in your chile rubbed turkey or peppered roasts. Whether you’re serving poultry, lamb or beef- all three are bold enough to stand up to richer meat courses.
Dessert:
Value: Keyways Vineyard Winery 2010 Muscat Canelli- $19.00
Splurge: Oak Mountain Winery 2005 Vintners Reserve Port- $28.00
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert, and no dessert is complete without wine -at least we feel that way! Apple pies and pear tarts are practically made to pair with Keyways’ Muscat Canelli, in which red delicious apples, kiwi , pears, and apricots come together nicely with honeysuckle and jasmine undertones. Oak Mountain’s port has a nutty honeyed flavor to perfectly compliment the nutmeg and allspice flavors of pumpkin pie.
One Meal, One Wine:
Maurice Car’rie 2010 Chenin Blanc- $12.95
Palumbo Family Vineywards & Winery 2009 Rosato Secco Rose- $18.00
Falkner Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc- $18.95
South Coast Winery Ruby Cuvee- $22.00
You’ve spent the better part of Thanksgiving cooking, setting the table and cleaning the house for guests, so perhaps you’re looking to simplify and serve one wine from start to finish. Any of these four, well-priced wines fit the bill. Each is lighter on the palate, with only subtle hints of sweetness making them suitable to drink with appetizers all the way to dessert.
Tags: doffo winery temecula valley, Falkner Winery, Hart Winery, Keyways Vineyard & Winery, leonesse winery, Maur, Maurice Car’rie Vineyard & Winery, Monte de Oro Winery, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery, Renz, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Stuart Cellars
Posted in Wine Pairing Guide, Winery News | Comments Off
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
10 CALIFORNIA WINE & FOOD PAIRING TIPS
• When enjoying cheeses either before or after dinner, consider a California sparkling wine alongside. The effervescence will stimulate the palate in such a way that both the cheeses and the wine will soar. For a festive and tasty flourish, serve fresh California pomegranates with the cheese and add a few arils, as pomegranate seeds are called, to each glass. Suggested sparkler: Ponte Winery, Rose Spumante
• Enjoy smoked fish—oysters, salmon, lox, trout, sturgeon and sablefish, for example—with California sparkling wine. Suggested sparkler: Danza del Sol Winery, Espumosa Chardonnay Brut
• California Sauvignon Blanc loves green vegetables of any kind, from artichokes and green beans to tender lettuces and zucchini. It is also an excellent match with goat cheeses and fresh mozzarella. Suggested Sav Blanc: Hart Family Vineyard, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
• California Chardonnay and Viognier blossom with corn and carrots. Serve with corn on the cob, corn chowder, creamy polenta topped with California Teleme cheese and corn salsa, corn or carrot risotto, oven-roasted carrots and carrot fritters. Suggested white: Callaway Vineyard & Winery, 2009 Special Selection Viognier
• California Pinot Noir, among the world’s most versatile wines, pairs well with a classic BLT as with wild Pacific King salmon on a bed of roasted winter squash. Delicious with turkey, California Pinot Noir is an ideal Thanksgiving wine, as well. Suggested Pinot: Wiens Family Cellars, 2009 Pinot Noir
• California Merlot is delightful with blueberries. Combine blueberries with wild rice, fresh or smoked turkey and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a main course salad to enjoy with Merlot. To enhance the match, add a little Merlot to the dressing. Suggested Merlot: Mount Palomar Winery, 2006 Merlot
• Defy the conventional wisdom that pairs fish with white wine and meat with red. A robust California Chardonnay is wonderful with rare steak and prime rib and California Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with halibut topped with a dollop of black olive butter or tapenade. Suggested Chard: South Coast Winery, 2008 Reserve South Coast Chardonnay / Suggested Cab: Monte de Oro Winery, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Enjoy California Syrah with classic Italian dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs, polenta and stewed sausages and lasagna. It is also excellent with grilled red meats and ripe backyard tomatoes and roasted sweet peppers. Suggested Syrah: Europa Village, 2006 C’est La Vie Syrah
• California Zinfandel is a perfect quaff with burgers, ribs, fajitas and chili but vegetarians will be thrilled to know it is also the best choice with lentils, especially when served with grilled Portobello mushrooms. Suggested Zin: Doffo Vineyard & Winery, 2009 Syrah
• For a simple, healthy and delicious dessert, combine seasonal fruits—such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums and peaches—with a little sugar and chill for a couple of hours, until natural juices collect in the bowl. Add about a cup of California Rosé or Pinot Noir, toss and serve, or spoon over vanilla ice cream, with the wine alongside. Suggested Rosé: Leonesse Cellars, 2010 White Merlot
Tags: california wine, california wine month, california wine pairing, wine and food pairing, wine and food pairing tips, wine pairing tips
Posted in Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Ah, the sizzle of summ
er is upon us. Whether you’re spending your hot summer days and long summer nights relaxing at the beach, chowing down at a backyard barbecue, or picnicking in the park under a shady oak tree, these cool and crisp whites, rosés and sparkling wines will please every palate. All of these wines can be purchased online or in the tasting rooms, so choose your favorites this week! Here’s our guide to beating the heat in the most delicious way:
Whites
- Miramonte Winery 2006 Chardonnay – Well-integrated flavors with notes of honey, vanilla, and toasty oak – a great pairing with your gourmet cheese and summer fruit plate, $19.96
- Monte de Oro 2009 Pinot Gris - 100% Estate Grown and everything you would expect from a summer white: light and crisp with a refreshing finish, $16
Rosés
- Oak Mountain Winery 2010 White Merlot - A bright pink color, sweet cherry and raspberry aromas characterize this wine. Serve chilled as an aperitif, or as an excellent accompaniment to picnic and barbecue fare, seafood, poultry and ham, $19
- Falkner Winery 2010 Rosato - A lovely blend of Cabernet and Italian grapes, this delicate and delicious wine is great for sipping chilled or pairing with cheeses, salads, and fruit dishes, $14.95
Sparklers
Tags: best wines for the summer, summer wine pairing, summer wines, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine, temecula wine country, temecula wine events, temecula wine tasting, temecula wines, visit temecula, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley
Posted in Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Check out these two very exciting opportunities to cruise with your favorite Temecula Valley wineries!
Leonesse Cellars Presents MEDITERRANEAN TREASURES – A Food & Wine Cruise
Join Leonesse Cellars Winery Owners, Gary Winder and Mike Rennie as they explore the absolute best the Mediterranean has to offer.
OCTOBER 1-12, 2011
Your reservation includes:
- Free Air
- $2,000 Shipboard Credit ‘Spend As You Wish” Per Stateroom
- Wine Pairing Dinner With World Renowned Master Chef and Leonesse Cellars Wines
- Wine Seminars, Tasting and Food and Wine Pairings
- $312 Prepaid Gratuities Per Stateroom
- $400 Additional Shipboard Credit Per Stateroom Or Complimentary Shore Excursion
- Leonesse Cellars Private Tours: (Additional Purchases Required)
- Wine and Oyster Tasting in Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Farmhouse Culinary Experience in Sorento, Italy
- Cooking lessons with a Countess, Venice, Italy
- Private Cooking Class, Rome, Italy
- Complimentary Transport Airport To Ship-Ship To Airport
- A Case of Leonesse Cellars Wine, Hand Selected by our Owners
- Complimentary Tickets to Leonesse Cellars “Grape Stomp” Event in September (2 Guests)
- A “Welcome Reception” Cruise Party
- One bottle of Leonesse Cellars wine per Stateroom at every evenings turn down
For more information please visit Crystal Cruises
*For Cruise Reservations
Email: wineclub@leonessecellars.com
Tel: (951) 699 8896
FARES FROM: $5,955 Per Person
___________________________________________________________________________
Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association Presents 2012 Pacific Coastal Wine Cruise
5 Night Wine Cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium, San Diego to Vancouver
Sail Date: Sunday, May 27, 2012
Ports of Call: San Diego CA, San Francisco CA, Victoria B.C., Vancouver B.C.
Rates:
- Inside cabin starting from $509 per person
- Ocean View starting from $619 per person
- Veranda starting from $769 per person
- Concierge starting from $849
- These rates include cruise, two bottles of wine, private cocktail party, and lots of surprises!
Want a Pre-Cruise Tour?
The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association will be happy to set up a wine tasting tour before you ship out! For more information, please call 800.801.9463; additional costs will apply.
Limited availability – don’t miss the boat!
*Book through Ocean One Travel Center | 888.353.1922 | www.oceanone.com
Tags: celebrity cruise, celebrity wine cruise, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine cruise, temecula wines, visit temecula, wine cruise
Posted in Association News, Events, Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Monday, June 27th, 2011
This year, Americans are sipping at the grill more than ever before. And why not? With the right pairings, you can please all of your Fourth of July guests and elevate your annual festivities to a new level of independence! So along with the BBQ sauce, hot dog buns, and tortilla chips, make great wine your summer staple. Be sure to pick up these Temecula Valley favorites online or in person this week! Here’s your short guide to our best grillin’ and chillin’ picks:
Red Meat & Red Wine: burgers, lamb, pork, and dogs just love these flavorful, palate-friendly grapes
Whites & Rosés for Lighter Fare: perfect for grilled fish, chicken, and your best appetizers like salsa & chips or hummus & veggies
A Toast to the Fireworks: there’s a sparkler here for everyone’s palate (don’t forget to toast the host!)
Just click on the links to order your wine today!
Tags: 4th of july wine pairing, bbq and wine pairing, best wine for bbq, best wine for grilling, best wines for summer, fourth of july, grill pairing, summer wine pairing, summer wines, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wine pairing, temecula valley wineries, temecula valley wines, temecula wine country, temecula wine for holiday, temecula wine tasting, temecula wines, tememcula wine for 4th of july, visit temecula, wine and grill pairing, wine tasting temecula valley
Posted in Wine Pairing Guide | Comments Off
Facebook
Twitter