The Cellar: Great Wine+Appetizer Pairs for Parties
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spring is officially upon us and it is time to come out of our self-imposed social hibernation, dust of our serving platters, and start inviting people over. This week’s theme is wines that are not only great by themselves, but that pair very well with party fare. So get out your cookbook and join us as we travel to Italy and France in search of this season’s most ‘entertaining wine’.
All-Purpose Aperitif: La Marca Prosecco
The backstory: This week’s first wine is a Prosecco from the Trevisio commune in Northern Italy. Prosecco wine is almost always made sparkling and either in ‘spumante’ (fully sparkling) or ‘frizzante’ (lightly
sparkling) styles. This first wine is a spumante and a great example at that. At around $15 it is rare to find one that is versatile enough to be enjoyed ‘ombretto’ style (as a pick-me-up), as an aperitif, as well as capable of being served alongside a variety of foods, including anything light, spicy or both.
The wine: Prosecco is typically characterized by light and delicate apple fruit flavors, floral aromatics, relatively low alcohol levels, all wrapped in a soft mouth feel. This wine is all that - and then some. Its texture is deliciously creamy to the point where it almost coats your mouth, but then the minerality and acidity kicks in with a nicely touch of lemon leaving you with the sensation that this wine is both a hair sweet and a hair sour. (B+)
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAntipasto Magic: 2007 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
The backstory: I first tasted 2007 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with a delicious antipasto at a recent PBS fundraiser. The wine works great as an everyday ‘entertainment red’ because it pairs well
with a wide variety of foods ranging from cheeses to meats, including anything dried or soaked in olive oil. The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and antipasto pairing worked great and is one I highly recommend you try.
The wine: If you look closely under the ‘2007’ on the Cantina Zaccagnini you will notice it says ‘denominazione di’origine controllata’. This appellation is a sign of quality that ensures that at least 90% of the wine is made from the Montepulciano grape. In the central Italian region of Abruzzo the Montepulciano grape makes colorful and very approachable wines displaying ripe and spicy blackberries that are typically low in tannin and show moderate acidity levels. The 2007 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo which received a 90 point rating from the Wine Advocate, is a great example of an under $20 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with an interesting meaty element. Aerate for an hour. (B+)
Cheese, Pate, & More: 2009 Chateau Magneau, Graves Blanc
The backstory: If you are cheese and pate person and looking for a white wine to pair with a traditional French platter I recommend a white Bordeaux like the 2009 Chateau Magneau Graves Blanc. I tasted this
lovely wine along side a wide variety of French delicacies including different cheeses, jams, cornichons, terrines and pates, and despite the vast array of flavors and textures this resilient wine was able to stand up nicely.
The wine: This white wine is from the appellation of ‘Graves’, a sub-region of the world famous Bordeaux region, and is a traditional blend of its kind consisting of 45% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semmilion with a splash of 10% Muscadelle. The 2009 Chateau Magneau won a bronze medal at the 2010 Concours de Paris competition and received a 90 point rating from ‘Revue du Vin de France’. The wine displays lovely tropical fruit and floral aromas. On the palate this dry white is both rich and concentrated fruit, but the Sauvignon Blanc gives the wine that its crispness and refreshing acidity which goes beautifully with creamier cheeses and heavier pates. (B+)
Enjoy!
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