Italian Wine Pairings for Classic Comfort Foods

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Would you say that comfort food is about face-planting carbs, or perhaps the soothing nature of soup? This is contemplated in Ottolenghi’s latest book, “Comfort.” One thing I’d add to his examination of what makes food comforting, beyond what we’re eating and who we’re eating with, is what wine we’re pairing it with. When there’s a chill in the air and darkness sets in early every day, a glass of wine not only enhances the comfort factor it makes dinner feel special. If some of your favorite face-planting fare is pizza, mac and cheese, or chili read on for Italian wine pairings for these classic comfort foods.

To prove my point, I conducted some fun experiments in the kitchen with samples I recently received.

Margherita Pizza and Chianti Classico

Making pizza at home can sound daunting, but it isn’t hard and the Wolfgang Puck pizza dough recipe I use has been fool proof for me. It just takes a little planning ahead because the dough needs time to proof and rest. Plus, toppings require a little prep. Once everything is ready, though, the process goes pretty quickly and the pizzas only take about ten minutes to cook.

Okay, I admit this home version of Margherita pizza isn’t classic, so please spare me any unkind comments on social media! To use up some cherry tomatoes I had on hand, I slow roasted them in the oven and used the flavorful result in lieu of tomato sauce. I used fresh mozzarella from Ferndale Farmstead because I wanted to support a Washington cheesemaker.

For the hubby, I made a mushroom pizza and mixed in a little truffle cheese because he prefers those flavors.

Wine Pairing for Margherita Pizza

Villa Nozzole Chianti Classico (SRP $22.99)

Chianti can be confusing. It’s a wine region in Italy and the grape the wine is made from is primarily Sangiovese. We tend to consume a fair amount of Sangiovese in our house because it’s got a fair amount of acidity which makes it food friendly. As a result, it’s a fantastic choice to serve with dishes that include tomato sauce which is also acidic. Anytime pizza or pasta marinara is on our table, so is Sangiovese.

This supple red delivered some bright red cherry flavors balanced by old world character and earthiness. As expected, it was a harmonious pairing with my take on a Margherita pizza as well as with the mushroom pizza. Chianti Classico should be your house go-to Italian wine pairing for this classic comfort food! Continue reading “Italian Wine Pairings for Classic Comfort Foods”

Let’s Talk About Craggy Range Pinot Noir

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Do you drink much New Zealand Pinot Noir? Though the variety is a favorite in our house, we don’t often come across bottlings from New Zealand. That’s why I was so excited to try a sample of Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir. ⁠Read on for my take on the wine and accompanying escapades in pairing.

The grapes of this Pinot Noir are hand-harvested from selected blocks at Craggy Range’s Estate-owned Te Muna Road Vineyard. Due to its higher elevation, harvest takes place about a week following other nearby Martinborough sites in order to reach the desired ripeness.

 

From the 2023 vintage, the youthful wine is light, fresh, easygoing and food friendly. It’s totally quaffable on its own, but it was fantastic with our dinner!⁠

Food Pairing for Craggy Range Pinot Noir

Continue reading “Let’s Talk About Craggy Range Pinot Noir”

Easy Leek and Zuchinni Yogurt Sauce Recipe with Wine Pairing

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This recipe calls for yogurt in place of cream to create an easy and healthy sauce. It’s unctuous mouth feel enhances fish as well as some delightful white wine pairings.

recipe ingredients

 

Yogurt Sauce Recipe

  • 1 leek (white and light green parts), diced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (I use 2%)
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • Zest of 1-2 lemons

Continue reading “Easy Leek and Zuchinni Yogurt Sauce Recipe with Wine Pairing”

A Simple Guide to Buying Wine

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Isn’t shopping for wine a bit like visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory? Pass through the entrance and sense feelings of wonder and awe. How could there be so many choices? The wine, like a seemingly endless river of chocolate, brings on conflicting feelings of childlike joy and overwhelm! Caution should be exercised so that a lack of self-control doesn’t lead to catastrophe.

It’s a lot to cope with, I know. In order to maintain a sense of decorum AND not overspend, it’s a good idea to have a plan and stick to your mission. To that end, here is a simple guide to buying wine.

Begin with a Show of Restraint

My wine shopping strategy begins with a modicum of restraint. I take a bag to the shop that holds 6 bottles and make a pact with myself not to purchase more wine than the bag can carry. This is good for the budget and limited storage space.

Shop with Dinner in Mind

Next, I make a mental list of what types of wines we could use with dinner. What’s on the menu? I reflect on memories of travel and celebrations around the table. Then take some time pondering about what types of value wines might be of interest – are certain regions calling me?

Continue reading “A Simple Guide to Buying Wine”

Easy Savory Baked Apple Recipe with Wine Pairing

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This easy savory baked apple recipe shows up regularly for dinner at our house. The apples can be prepared ahead of time, then served at room temperature. It’s the kind of dish that works as well for an everyday dinner yet looks impressive enough for a special occasion meal. It’s also quite at home on a brunch table. Plus, it’s every bit as tasty the next day, so I usually plan to make leftovers.

easy savory baked apple recipe

Inspiration for this dish comes from the book, On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis. It’s a fascinating read in which recipes comingle with the tale of how she and her family adapt to life in Normandy, France and transform an old convent into their residence.

Although there aren’t many recipes in the book, it has earned a spot on the shelf among other cookbooks I frequently reference. Continue reading “Easy Savory Baked Apple Recipe with Wine Pairing”