Wine Road Podcast: Catalina Perez, Hospitality Manager at David Coffaro Vineyards & Winery.

Episode 240: Catalina Perez, Hospitality Manager at David Coffaro Vineyards & Winery

Drink This with That: French Bistro

This month we explore French Bistro fare, characterized by hearty, flavorful dishes (many made with wine) that offer a wealth of wine pairing options. Cozy and comforting French Bistro dishes are perfect for fall weather.

French Bistro Cuisine & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Coq au Vin

I first learned of Coq au Vin watching Julia Child on her PBS show when I was a kid. It sounded so exotic and mysterious. But it’s basically a stew of braised chicken and vegetables in red wine, coq au vin means “rooster in wine”. The deep complex flavors elevate it way beyond basic. It’s French comfort food at its finest.

+ Chenin Blanc

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Pinot Noir

+ Grenache

Boeuf Bourguignon

Another classic French stew like Coq au vin, but with beef braised in red wine along with carrots, mushrooms, and pearl onions. The depth of flavor comes from the slow cooking that joins all the ingredients together in the most savory and delicious way.

+ Syrah

+ Pinot Noir

+ Bordeaux Blends

+ Cab Franc

Salad Niçoise

I often make this when I want a salad that feels luxurious. Hearty and flavorful, it’s made with tuna, hard boiled eggs, tomato, niçoise olives, small red boiled potatoes, and blanched green beans aka haricots verts with a Dijon vinaigrette. I like to add capers and anchovies as well for an extra salty briny kick.

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Chardonnay

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Gruner Veltliner

Duck Confit

Duck Confit is slow cooked in a generous amount of duck fat then crisped to perfection, which is what makes this dish a great pairing for bold reds. Deep and rich and satisfying; seasoned with fresh herbs including thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves. A dollop of cherry jam, compote or preserves adds a bright note to the rich savory duck.

+ Riesling

+ Syrah

+ Pinot Noir

+ Merlot

+ Malbec

Croque Monsieur

This French version of a grilled ham and cheese sandwich is elevated to the extreme with a creamy béchamel sauce poured over the top. Rich, gooey and slightly decadent; the Croque Monsieur is a like a warm blanket on chilly night – soothing and oh so necessary! Pair with a light red like Pinot Noir, or a rich oaky Chardonnay for full immersion into the realm of French comfort food.

+ Chardonnay

+ Pinot Noir

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Sparkling wine

French Onion Soup

Is there any soup more enduring than the classic French Onion Soup? Probably not. Caramelized onions, wine and cheese are the base. Slow cooking is the key. Cheesy, savory and topped with croutons or a thick slab of crusty bread, it ticks all the boxes for a soul warming dish.

+ Pinot Noir

+ Chardonnay

+ Sangiovese

+ Riesling

+ Sparkling wine

Wine Road Podcast: Jacob Mounts, Mounts Family Winery

Episode 239 - Jacob Mounts, Mounts Family Winery 

Wine Road Podcast: Elaina Dimond and John Duckett from Trione Vineyards & Winery

Episode 238 - Elaina Dimond and John Duckett from Trione Vineyards & Winery

Wine Road Podcast: Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President and CEO of Pedroncelli Winery

Episode 237: Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President and CEO of Pedroncelli Winery

Drink This with That: Indian

Welcome back to Drink This with That—featuring what to drink with specific foods and international cuisines. Each month we highlight a particular food or dish with pairing options and a link to the Wine Road searchable database to find the wines we recommend from the tried and true, to selections that add a bit of a twist to the standard pairing.

This month we explore Indian Cuisine. The vast country of India has many regional specialties and traditional dishes that incorporate curries, chutneys, yogurt-based marinades and sauces, along with an array of chilies and spices from turmeric and cardamom to tamarind and the fragrant Garam Masala.

Indian Cuisine & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Chicken Tikka Masala

One of the most famous Indian dishes, Chicken tikka masala features grilled chicken (tikka) marinated in yogurt and served in a creamy, spiced tomato-based sauce (masala). The sauce incorporates spices such as garam masala, turmeric, and coriander, and is finished with cream for a sublime velvet like texture.

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Chenin Blanc

+ Chardonnay

+ Rosé of Zinfandel

Palak Paneer

Cheese lovers will find their happy place with Palak paneer; a classic curried dish from North Indian made with fresh spinach, onions, spices, paneer (a fresh cheese like ricotta) and herbs.

+ Pinot Grigio

+ Gruner Veltliner

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Gamay

Vindaloo

Vindaloo, another classic of Indian cuisine, is a flavorful curry dish, typically made with marinated pork, but it can also be made with other proteins such as chicken, beef, lamb, or paneer. The meat is marinated in wine vinegar and garlic with an array of spices including tamarind, cinnamon, cardamom, and hot chilis.

+ Riesling

+ Syrah/Shiraz

+ Riesling

+ Zinfandel

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is a must try Indian dish that’s made by marinating chicken in yogurt, and seasoned with tandoori masala, nutmeg, and cumin. It’s cooked at high heat in clay ovens called tandoor, from which the name derives, and infuses the meat with a smokey vibe.

+ Riesling

+ Gewurztraminer

+ Rosé of Grenache

+ Pinot Noir

Samosa

Similar to Pakora’s, which I’m partial to; Samosas are deep fried, triangle shaped pastries  filed with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, and lentils, and served with fresh yogurt, chutneys, and sauces made with mint, coriander or tamarind. They can be served as a side dish or make a complete meal alone.

+ Sparkling Rosé

+ Pinot Grigio

+ Pinot Noir

+ Grenache

Wine Road Podcast: What We Did on Our Summer Vacations!

Episode 236: What We Did on Our Summer Vacations!