Wine Pairing Archives

Vinkara Vineyards: Modern Wine from an Ancient History

March 15, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

When it comes to wine, I love variety. I have my favorites of course, but am always interested in trying wine from a new producer, a new country or one made from a variety with which I am unfamiliar. Sometimes I have the opportunity to taste a wine that is all three. I consider that hitting the wine lottery, especially if I enjoy the wine.

Wine, Friends and Food: Our OTBN and #winePW Evening

March 11, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 12 comments

OTBN, otherwise known as Open That Bottle Night, is always celebrated on the last Saturday in February; at least it has been since 1999. That’s when Wall Street Journal columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher came up with the idea of dedicating one night to opening that very special bottle of wine in your wine cellar. One you’ve been holding, waiting for just the right occasion to open.

Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge: Everyday Wine Needn’t Be Ordinary

February 26, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

What’s the best way to make a weeknight meal special? I say, prepare a deliciously simple meal and pair it with an interesting wine that won’t break the bank. We recently received just such a wine as a tasting sample. Read on for the food and wine pairing that made for such an enjoyable weeknight meal. The Wine Les Vignes […]

Shepherd’s Pie and Burgundy: a Cozy Valentine’s Day Pairing

February 12, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 24 comments

It’s February so, of course, the Wine Pairing Weekend group has collected some sweet, romantic and otherwise interesting food and wine pairings to share with you for your Valentine’s Day celebration. Christy, who blogs at Confessions of a Culinary Diva, sent out this month’s invitation. My goal for our Valentine’s Day pairing was to create a pairing that was special, but one that would leave me time to spend with my valentine.

2012 Heavyweight Cabernet Sauvignon — the Perfect Match for a Weeknight Meal

January 29, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 1 comment

On a recent weeknight I came home to the most delightful surprise. The aromas were the first thing I noticed — sautéed onion and Italian sausage along with the spiciness of andouille. Our large dutch on the cooktop was the only other clue dinner was imminent. The kitchen was completely clean otherwise. There was no evidence of the preparation that had taken place. Clearly, Pete had been busy while I was out.

The second thing I noticed was a glass of red wine on the kitchen counter. I looked at Pete and asked, “Is that for me?” “Yes,” he replied, “what is it?” He loves to test me, so I played along.

Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio: A PG That Won’t Disappoint

January 21, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

I pulled the bottle of Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio from the refrigerator and grabbed my favorite wine glass, a Zalto Denk’Art Universal glass. It required a firm grip and a bit of muscle to remove the screw cap from the bottle of wine. I poured an ounce or so into my glass, put the screw cap back on the wine bottle and placed it in the refrigerator.

As I turned my attention to the glass of Pinot Grigio, the most amazing aromas greeted me — even before I lifted the glass to my nose. This was my first hint that this Pinot Grigio, grown in Alto Adige (and sent to us as a tasting sample), was no ordinary Pinot Grigio.

Food, Wine and Music: Paul Cullen and Tune Your Palate

January 13, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

Paul Cullen, former Bad Company bassist, has turned his attention from rock music to Italian food and wine with music to accompany both. Through his enterprise, Tune Your Palate, he will arrange to cook delicious authentic Italian dishes for you and your friends in your own kitchen. He creates wine pairings to match and then plays music while you enjoy both. Sounds like a delicious idea doesn’t it?

Something New for #winePW: Faire la Fête + Dinner to Go

January 8, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 15 comments

Our first Wine Pairing Weekend for 2016 has us “Celebrating Something New in the New Year.” This month’s host, Camilla Mann, who blogs at Culinary Adventures with Camilla, extended the challenge to all of us. It’s the perfect theme for the first month of a new year.

Celebrating in Style with Giulio Ferrari for #winePW

December 11, 2015 by Nancy (CSW) 19 comments

Sparkling Wine and Festive Holiday Dishes is the theme for our December Wine Pairing Weekend thanks to this month’s host Cindy Rynning whose blog is cleverly called Grape Experiences. What a delicious pairing idea!

Sparkling wines are among my very favorite wines. I love the variety of flavors, variable degree of sweetness and the large number of grape varieties that are used to make sparkling wine. And, they’re generally so food friendly.

Windrun Pinot Noir: An Accidental Wine Tasting

December 1, 2015 by Nancy (CSW) 4 comments

It was a beautiful fall morning in San Francisco, warm enough to enjoy an iced coffee at an outdoor table in Union Square. I was taking in the sights and sipping my coffee when I heard a woman ask, “Do you mind if we share this table?” I looked up and replied, “Not at all, please do!”