Fall In Love with Fall Wines

If you're more of a purist and our post on Vin Chaud isn't really up your alley, never fear. While we love a good mulled wine, we certainly understand that there are plenty of great wines out there that don't need to be warmed with spices this autumn.

For starters, you may think it's time to put away those crisp whites in favor of the deeper notes and flavors in their red counterparts; however, your go-to bottle choice depends on the age old question, "What's for dinner?" Depending on your main meal, the wine selection could be equally varied.

If you're looking for a great pairing for a hearty stew, cool-weather casserole, or beef dish, you're probably going to go red. While the steadfast Cabernet is generally a suitable choice for pairing with your savory fall feasts, you might want to branch out with a Syrah or a Malbec this autumn.

Syrah (also known as Shiraz) originated in France's Rhône region centuries ago. Increasing in popularity, Syrahs are generally full-bodied with common characteristics including cherries/berries, plum, chocolate, cloves, licorice, espresso, and black pepper. Richly sweet and just a bit spicy, Syrah is an ideal pairing for smoked/grilled meats, stews, and even lightly-spiced wild game dishes. It's also a great wine for those on a budget, because there are many approachable Syrahs and Shirazes on the market for under $30 a bottle.

Malbecs also originated in France, but in the Bordeaux region. Malbecs tend to be a little bit drier than Syrahs, but are equally tasty. With similar fruity notes, such as plums and berries/cherries, Malbecs can also have the spicy characteristics of black pepper, smoke, and earth. Gaining in popularity are Malbecs from Argentina, as they are one of the key wine varietals produced there. For your spicier fall meat dishes, try a Malbec pairing, as they work well with not only grilled fare, but ethnic dishes as well. From Mexican to Thai, Indian to Italian, the Malbec is a versatile and affordable choice.

If you're not feeling red and would like to enjoy a white on those warm fall afternoons, don't put away that corkscrew just yet. Dive back into France's Rhône Valley grapes and try a Rhône-style white blend. With higher ABV's than your typical white wine, you can expect fall-friendly notes of peach, apricots, pears, and of course apples perfectly balanced with herbs, such as lavender and sage. Also a versatile option, try decanting first and then pairing with your favorite cream or cheese-based pasta dish, broiled cauliflower gratin, or even your favorite nut-coated fish and poultry dishes.

We hope this gets you started on building your autumn cellar.

À votre santé!

Chocolat Chaud - French Drinking Chocolate

If you've ever read any period novels or non-fiction texts surrounding colonial America, you've probably heard of Drinking Chocolate. (The word 'drinking' being used as an adjective as opposed to a verb in this context). Drinking Chocolate isn't Hot Cocoa, in that Drinking Chocolate is made with actual melted chocolate while hot cocoa is a mixture comprised primarily of cocoa powder and sugar.

While Drinking Chocolate is the richer of the two, it's often less sweet. Chocolate (and Hot Chocolate's) introduction to Europe began with the Spanish exploration of South America,and then they brought the addictive drink back across the Atlantic with them. However, even the chocolate-loving French were originally skeptical, thinking that chocolate may have been a potent drug. However, with the Paris faculty of medicine's approval and their Spanish Queen Anne of Austria (wife of Louis XIII) being particularly fond of the drink, chocolate was in France to stay.

But we can't let royalty have all the fun! Even you can make your own drinking chocolate right in the comfort of your own home. To stay authentically French, you'll want to refer to your beverage as Chocolat Chaud (or hot chocolate) for starters.

French Hot Chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day when you could use some chocolate too. French children luck out, because this drink is typically served at breakfast, but you can make it any time the craving strikes.

Chocolat Chaud

for one

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Whole Milk

1 1/4 Tablespoons Water

1 1/4 Tablespoons Sugar

1 1/2 oz. Dark Chocolate (Good Quality - At least 60% Cacao), chopped

Optional: Whipped Cream, Shaved Chocolate

Directions

1. Warm milk in a small saucepan. Do not boil.
2. Once milk is warm, whisk in water and sugar, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil. 

3. Immediately remove from heat and whisk chocolate into warmed milk mixture.

4. For a true frothy chocolat, use a hand blender to incorporate all ingredients. 

5. Serve immediately, topping with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

For larger quantities, simply multiply ingredients by servings desired.

Enjoy!

Fall Is In the Air - Mulled Wine

Well, maybe not today with the high still being in the 80's and the sun shining brightly overhead, but if the forecasters are correct for this coming week, fall is definitely in the air. With thoughts of crackling fires in the fireplace and sipping warm drinks dancing through our heads, we thought it was the perfect time to blog about one of our favorite beverages for those cold, Midwestern nights, mulled wine.

Mulled wine actually dates back to the Romans, but is often credited to the English due to its popularity in English literature and lore (Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, anyone?). The terminology 'mulled' comes from the Old English word meaning muddled as defined by an alcohol-induced confused state. Originally used as a way to save wine that was about to spoil, mulled wine is a favorite beverage in fall and winter, especially around Halloween and Christmas.

In France, mulled wine is referred to as 'vin chaud' or 'vin chaud aux épices', which literally translates to 'hot wine' or 'hot wine with spices'. The recipe for vin chaud and a traditional mulled wine are quite similar; however, vin chauds tend to be on the less sweet side. As the weather cools down this week and the rain clouds move in, whip up your own batch of vin chaud and chase those chills away.

One of our favorite vin chaud recipes comes from Debra Fioriotto, a recipe contributor to BonjourParis. Here is her recipe from BonjourParis:

Vin Chaud 

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages

1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

1 small lemon, thinly sliced

1 small orange, thinly sliced

Wrap the following spices into a piece of cheesecloth and tie with a string:

2 cinnamon sticks (about 3 inches long)

5 cardamom pods

3 black peppercorns

4 whole cloves

For the sugar syrup:

1-1/4 cups sugar

1-1/2 cups water

PREPARATION:

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add the spice bag, wine, vanilla, lemon and orange slices and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes.

TO SERVE:

Ladle into mugs and garnish with a lemon or orange slice along with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Vin Chaud also makes a great accompaniment to a weekend football party or fall gathering as well. Simply make your vin chaud as directed above and then add to a crockpot (or leave in pan), just keeping the mixture drinkably warm. 

Enjoy!

Corporate Client Event | PhotoOpp Bride Edition

This past Thursday (September 6), we had the pleasure of hosting a Corporate Client Event. Now a tradition, we partner with our sister restaurant, Woolley's Steakhouse, as well as our lovely neighbors, the Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport and the Embassy Suites Bloomington West, in inviting our corporate meeting and event clients to a showcase of some of the best trends and highlights that the industry as well as our properties have to offer.

Our awesome Embassy Weddings' team also lent their expertise in helping display some up-to-the-minute trends as well as to just show off our team's capabilities.

From an Ice Wall that contained small chilled appetizers to a S'mores Station where marshmallow roasting was encouraged, we spared no expense!

                    

We even included an elegant dinner setting and a Sip & Snip non-alcoholic drink bar, where guests could "infuse" their own "elixirs". 

           

 

But the best part of the whole event was the fun we got to have with our clients using the PhotoOpp - Bride Edition app. A photo sharing smartphone app that serves to replace those disposable cameras on each table, the PhotoOpp - Bride Edition app allows guests to snap pictures throughout the event (with a customized app for your occasion). Pictures are then automatically uploaded to the host's online album, where guests can see each other's photos instantly, and they can even be streamed for a live real-time slideshow throughout the event. 

Using the PhotoOpp - Bride Edition app, we encouraged our guests to take funny photos throughout the event. Not only were the photos streamed for a live real-time slideshow throughout the event, but we also had a 3-liter bottle of Perrier Jouët on the line for the guest who snapped the best shot (as voted on, of course). Here are some that were shared:

          

For everyone that attended and helped with the event, our utmost thanks! We are so grateful and lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful clients, team members, vendor partners, and ultimately friends. Without any one of these things, none of the rest would be possible. 

Until next year! 

La Fête du Travail

La Fête du Travail, or Labor Day, is not celebrated on the first Monday in September as in the United States  and Canada. However, in France La Fête du Travail is celebrated on May 1. A chance to celebrate workers' rights, the French have celebrated La Fête du Travail for over 65 years.

Lily of the Valley

Rumored to be a centuries-old tradition dating back to King Charles IX, many French give Lily of the Valley to one another to commemorate the holiday. In 1907, two decades after the movement that celebrated the anniversary of the French Revolution as well as serve as a workers' rights day began, the Lily of the Valley took prominence as the holiday's symbol. 

With the introduction of the eight-hour work day in France, May 1 became publicly recognized as a holiday in 1919. After a hiatus during World War II, May 1 was reinstated as a holiday in 1947, officially becoming La Fête du Travail the very next year. 

Throughout France, La Fête du Travail is a day for celebrating workers and their rights, while campaigning against injustice and promoting human rights in general.

However, since we here at Chez Daniel reside stateside, we will be celebrating Labor Day with the rest of the United States tomorrow. (Please note: We will be closed while we celebrate). Therefore, use the day to reflect on the positive contributions that workers have made for the country as well as be inspired to further the social and economic achievements of our workers. We know we will!

Happy Labor Day!