Wine Pairings for Your Fall Feast

This Thanksgiving, don't waste time guessing and gambling about wine pairings. To help you, we've laid out some simple guidelines as to what wines you should be looking at for your Thanksgiving Dinner table.

Typically for turkey, you think a dry white wine should suffice. Good for pairing with your juicy Thanksgiving bird, and you're generally correct. However, depending on the sides you're incorporating into your Thanksgiving meal, your wine selection can broaden accordingly. Additionally, many guests have their own preferences that may run afoul of conventional pairings, so it's best to have a few go-to varieties on hand to suit everyone's palette while still complementing that dinner you worked so hard to prepare.

For the sake of sanity, we made a few suggestions in the following wine categories to help you choose which selections to keep on hand this Thanksgiving. (For the sake of your wallet, it's up to you how many of each variety and at what vintage/price point you choose to enjoy).

the Sparkler

A before dinner warm-up when served with pre-meal relishes and appetizers as well as an all-around celebratory choice, a good sparkling wine is a great Thanksgiving choice. A drier brut is a good option for warming the appetite, and it even pairs quite nicely with the holiday bird.

the White

You have several options in this department. The Sauvignon Blanc is a classic Thanksgiving choice, as it pairs particularly well with not just turkey, but many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes too. A drier Gewürztraminer is also a favorite for with those savory holiday flavors, and your sweeter Rieslings can be a crowd pleaser when complementing squashes and other spiced wintry flavors.

the Red

A rich spicy Zinfandel is a great choice for a red Thanksgiving wine. With its bolder flavors, it pairs really well with cranberries and many other Thanksgiving flavors. Other great red options include the Pinot Noir, and if you're so inclined (like us), the Beaujolais. Traditionally released just before Thanksgiving, the Beaujolais Nouveau is not a wine meant to be aged. Its fruity flavors pair well with the larger meal, and it's generally a more approachable red for those non-wineophiles in your life. 

We hope this guide gets you started on making wine selections for your feast. However, if it just seems like too much trouble, you're always invited to join us for our Champagne Thanksgiving Brunch instead! We'll take care of ensuring all your favorites are prepared with the correct wines on hand for your added enjoyment. 

For more information or for reservations, please contact Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447.

Joyeux Thanksgiving!

Wine Pairings for Your Favorite Fall Dishes

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 course, 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, we encourage you 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 lately, 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!

Make Way for Spring Flavors

With the rain today, we're hoping the Spring thaw is just around corner. Thankfully, alongside the weather warm-up also comes a palate warm-up as some of our favorite flavors get ready to return for the season.

If you're like most, when you think about the tastes of Spring, you're probably thinking strawberries and asparagus. However, the flavors and essences of Spring are too broad to be limited to so few foods.

Along with strawberries and asparagus, we're craving the bright notes of fresh carrots, new potatoes, eggs, and cool Spring greens that complement stew and salad alike to perfection. Braised lamb, flatbreads, goat cheese, and green beans blooming right alongside the tulips!

Whether you're whipping up a savory Asparagus & Goat Cheese Tartlet or a fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, make sure you're taking in the full bounty of the flavors of the season. Paired with the perfect Spring Wine and you've got yourself quite the experience!

With all of these cravings, it's needless to say we're excited and ready to embrace the end of Winter around here.

What are you most excited about for Spring?

Thanksgiving Wines

A few weeks ago, we posted about some great wines that are just perfect for pairing with those fall flavors. This week, however, we wanted to talk turkey. Well, turkey and all its finery to be more exact, as we dish about some of the best wines for pairing with your Thanksgiving feast.

Typically for turkey, you think a dry white wine should suffice. Good for pairing with your juicy Thanksgiving bird, and you're generally correct. However, depending on the sides you're incorporating into your Thanksgiving feast, your wine selection can broaden accordingly. Additionally, many guests have their own preferences that may run afoul of conventional pairings, so it's best to have a few go-to varieties on hand to suit everyone's palette while still complementing that dinner you worked so hard to prepare.

For the sake of sanity, we made a few suggestions in the following wine categories to help you choose which selections to keep on hand this Thanksgiving. (For the sake of your wallet, it's up to you how many of each variety and at what vintage/price point you choose to enjoy).

the Sparkler

A before dinner warm-up when served with pre-meal relishes and appetizers as well as an all-around celebratory choice, a good sparkling wine is a great Thanksgiving choice. A drier brut is a good option for warming the appetite, and it even pairs quite nicely with the holiday bird.

the White

You have several options in this department. The Sauvignon Blanc is a classic Thanksgiving choice, as it pairs particularly well with not just turkey, but many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes too. A drier Gewürztraminer is also a favorite for with those savory holiday flavors, and your sweeter Rieslings can be a crowd pleaser when complementing squashes and other spiced wintry flavors.

the Red

A rich spicy Zinfandel is a great choice for a red Thanksgiving wine. With its bolder flavors, it pairs really well with cranberries and many other Thanksgiving flavors. Other great red options include the Pinot Noir, and if you're so inclined (like us), the Beaujolais. Traditionally released just before Thanksgiving, the Beaujolais Nouveau is not a wine meant to be aged. Its fruity flavors pair well with the larger meal, and it's generally a more approachable red for those non-wineophiles in your life. 

We hope this guide gets you started on making wine selections for your feast. However, if it just seems like too much trouble, you're always invited to join us for our Champagne Thanksgiving Brunch instead! We'll take care of ensuring all your favorites are prepared with the correct wines on hand for you to enjoy them with. 

For more information or for reservations, please contact Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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!

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!

Best Spring Wines

Now that it is officially spring, we can truly celebrate the passing of winter and coming of all things warm and sunny. Often, as the weather turns from the cooler, darker months, we look forward to longer days and spending more time outside.

As the seasons change, you may also be looking for the perfect spring wine to bring to your next backyard gathering. Below are some of our favorite spring varietals, but don't just take our word for it, you'll have to try them for yourself.

 

Sauvignon Blanc - What with the many different varieties and easy pairing with grilled vegetables and fish, Sauvignon Blancs and blends are a natural springtime choice.

Pinot Grigio - The ease at which a good (and we stress GOOD) Pinot Grigio pairs with light, tomato-y pasta dishes, as well as your antipasto salads make it a perfect wine for our list.

Albarino - One of my favorite wines as of late, the Albarino, a Spanish white, pairs wonderfully with shellfish and the fresh flavors of spring salads.

Riesling - Riesling is one of those wines that wine lovers either love or hate, there is no in-between. Great with smoked fish and perfect for sipping, choose a Riesling that will suit your tastes, as there are many that are less or more sweet, depending on the region and age.

Pinot Noir - For spring, we would suggest a younger Pinot Noir, so the bright fruit flavors emerge purest. Pair with fruit, salads, and tuna, and you'll have a match made in heaven.

Prosecco - This sparkling Italian wine is a bit softer than your typical champagne. A beautiful springtime treat, it pairs well with your favorite summer fruits, such as berries or peaches. Hello, Bellini, anyone?

Now that you've got your shopping list, the sooner you get to the store, the sooner you can get to sampling.

Happy Spring!

Drink to Your Health!

French women have long been heralded as beacons of fashion. One of the long lauded and oft-admired traits of the French woman is her ability to enjoy wine daily, and still retain her figure. Well, there's even more to it than that, as drinking a small glass of wine everyday has several distinct benefits to your health.

Originally published in the February 2008 issue of Health magazine, Debra Gordon identified the following six benefits derived from daily imbibement in her article "6 Reasons Why a Little Glass of Wine Each Day May Do You Good."

1. Feed Your Head - Wine can not only preserve your memory, but also prevents clots and reduces blood vessel inflammation. Alcohol has also been linked to raising HDL (the good cholesterol), which helps to unblock your arteries. 
2. Keep the Scale in Your Corner - Daily wine drinkers have been shown to have lower body mass than those who only occasionally indulge, while moderate wine drinkers also have more slender waists and less abdominal fat than those who drink liquor. Plus, studies have shown that alcohol may encourage your body to burn extra calories for up to 90 minutes after it's consumed. 
3. Boost Your Body's Defenses - According to a British study, people who consumed one glass of wine per day reduced their risk of infection from the bacteria that mainly causes gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancers by 11%! Even just half a glass has been cited to fight against food poisoning when consumed with contaminated food. 
4. Guard Against Ovarian Woes - In an Australian study, researches found that those who consumed one glass of wine per day reduced their risk for developing ovarian cancer by as much as 50%. 
5. Build Better Bones - Moderate drinkers appear to have higher bone mass, in that alcohol seems to delay the body's destruction of old bone. 
6. Prevent Blood-Sugar Trouble - Women who have not yet hit menopause and who drink between one and two glasses per day are up to 40% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Researchers indicated that wine appears to reduce insulin resistance in diabetic patients as well. 

As in most (if not all) aspects of life, moderation is always key, so don't feel guilty about enjoying your favorite vintage tonight. After all, you're drinking to your health!