Tag: wine pairings

Wine pairings for your Thanksgiving meal

If a run to the local wine shop is on your “to do” list before Thanksgiving on Thursday these wine pairings may make the trip a little less stressful.

Sommelier Killian Buschetz of Chandler’s Cuisine & Wine Bistro suggests several wines depending on what your meal is.

Turkey- He suggests a Beaujolais (Gamay grape) from France for red. The easy to drink and fruit forward wine is good with the white meat and cranberry sauce. For white wine he suggests a Gruner Veltliner from Austria for its acidity and crisp flavor.

Ham- Whether you’re serving ham it on Thanksgiving or waiting until Christmas he recommends a Cabernet Franc for its robust tasting profile. Riesling from the Alsace region of France or Mosel region of Germany offers the acidity with a hint of sweetness for pairing with food.

Beef- The red meat desires a bold red wine from Bordeaux is his first choice. Specifically from Saint-Emilion known for its Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends. If need be a Napa Valley red can do the trick but watch out for high alcohol and big fruit wines.

Lobster- A Chardonnay with a hint of oak & butter is the way to go for this delicate seafood. A Pouilly- Fuisse from Burgundy makes for a nice wine pairing.

Salmon- A red Burgundy from Beaune known for its light body and fruit is always good. If you prefer a California or Oregon Pinot ask for a more earthy wine over a bold and jammie wine.

Pecan or Pumpkin pie- A sweet and nutty Pedro Ximinez sherry from Spain hits the spot for the end of the meal.

Wine pairings with a different perspective

Wine is very subjective therefore choices for wine pairing may differ from person to person. LDV Winery winemaker and co-owner Kurt Dunham offers his suggestions for dinner pairings.

He suggests American wines for this American holiday or even an Arizona wine. His go-to red wine is Grenache or an Oregon Pinot Noir. Chardonnay & sparkling wines from California or a Pinot Noir, Riesling or Gewurztraminer from Washington or Oregon are safe bets for your turkey. Check out his video he prepared for the occasion.

Bevan Cellars winemaker to host dinner at Keeler’s Steakhouse

Things tend to slow down a bit in California wine country during the winter. The “down time” gives winemakers the opportunity to leave the vineyard and visit customers throughout the country. Bevan Cellars winemaker and co-founder Russell Bevan will be leaving St. Helena as he heads to Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse for a January 9th dinner.

The 5- course dinner will have Chef Anthony Apolinar’s creative menu complimented by the wines of Bevan Cellars. During dinner Russell will share his story about how the winery got started, growing up in wine country and the wines themselves.

The pairing is as follows.

1st Course: Steelhead Crudo with arugula salad, cucumber and Meyer lemon oil paired with Dry Stack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

2nd Course: Pan-Seared Monkfish with sautéed spinach, blistered tomatoes and balsamic reduction served with Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

3rd Course: Grilled Duroc Pork Chop with sweet potato puree and pinot noir reduction complemented by Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

4th Course: Prime Petit Filet with adobo marinade, garlic mashed potatoes, Brussel chips and demi-glace paired with Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

5th Course: “Berries and Cream” served with Ontogeny Red Wine, Napa Valley

The dinner starts at 6:30 and is $125 per person plus tax & gratuity. Seats are limited, to reserve your seat call 602-374-4784 or visit http://keelerssteakhouse.com/

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is at 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. Carefree AZ.

 

Quiesscence at the Farm offers “Locals Only” dining experiences

Those of us that stick it out through the long hot summer deserve an award and  Quiessence at the Farm is doing that, kind of. The award-winning farm to table restaurant is bringing back two popular dining experiences for locals before they take time off.

Locals dining experiences

Before chef Dustin Christofolo and staff shut down the restaurant from July 1st – August 9th they will be offering a limited seat dinner “Taste of Quiessence”. Tuesday-Thursday’s June 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th and 28th will offer 12 guests per night the opportunity to taste seasonal vegetables and more on a nightly changing Tasting menu. QuiessenceThe first come, first serve dinners will offer guests seasonal ingredients from the farm and from other Arizona vendor as part of the 3-course dinner.

The Taste of Quiessence dinners are $45++ per person with a wine pairing option for an additional $20 per person.

Thursday Wine Flight

When the restaurant re-opens in August after a research and development hiatus guests can join them for Thursday Wine Flights with a trio of tapas. Level 2 sommelier Alison Sponberg will select wines to pair with chef Christolofo’s special menu for the evening.

The three-week themes will be…

August 16 – “Southwest is Best”                                                                                  August 23 – “Farmers, Friends, and Friuli”                                                             August 30 – “Summer in the South of France”

Cost for the wine and food pairing experience is $40 per person++.

Guests can make reservations for both experiences by calling 602-276-0601 and can make reservations for August’s Thursday Wine Flights during the July hiatus. Be sure to mention the wine flights to receive the special menu and price.

Quiessence at The Farm is at 6106 S. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85042. Visit their website for more information.

Voila French Bistro to host authentic French wine dinner

If you’re a fan of white table cloth draped tables and authentic French cooking paired with wine then circle Sunday November 5th on your calendar and make a reservation for a 3-course dinner at Voila French Bistro in Scottsdale.

Your hosts Chef Jean-Christophe Gros and his wife Segolene re-located to Scottsdale from France in 2015 where Chef Gros as a Master French Chef spent 30 years working in restaurants  with Michelin star ratings.

Voila French Bistro menu

Once you walk in the doors you’ll feel as if you’re in Paris and this 3-course menu will make you wish you were there.

LE CABILLAUD :                                                                                                     Chilled Cod and Spinach Papillotte Over Tomato Tartare and Niçoise Olive Tapenade
Chardonnay
***
LE CHAUSSON DE VOLAILLE:                                                                   Chicken Wellington With Porcini Mushrooms and Napa Cabbage Stuffing
Pinot Noir
***
LE SAINT-HONORE A LA POIRE:                                                                      Puff Pastry with Poached Pear and a Praline Butter Cream and a Dark Chocolate Sauce
Crément

The early dinner will start at 5 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m. Price is $65 per person with reservations required that and can be made by calling 480-614-5600. More information about the restaurant can be found on their website.

Voila French Bistro is at 10135 Via Linda. Scottsdale 85258

Beer for Brains Foundation EPICURIAD returns Sat. April 29th

Food truck chefs get out of their comfort zone on Saturday April 29th for a good cause as the Beer for Brains Foundation raises money for brain cancer research and awareness with its EPICURIAD Spring 2017 Food, Craft Beers & Wine Pairings Event.

12 food truck chefs including Left Coast Burrito Co., Saffron Jak and Electric Sliders will leave their trucks for a full and modern kitchen experience at Allstate Appliances in north Scottsdale to compete against each other to create a new dish for the gourmet pairing competition.

The night begins at 6:30 p.m. with VIP attendees getting a chance to see a 2 chef face off between executive chef Jordan Murray of Rock A Belly, Food Network’s “Street Eats” Season 5 vs Chef Tim Cobb of United Lunchadores, Street Food Chef of the Year in 2015. The chefs will flip a coin to see if they will be cooking with beer or wine in addition to the ingredients provided with 35 minutes to create a dish before the main event.

At 7:30 p.m. main event begins where attendees will be able to sample gourmet food, craft beers and wine. They will have the chance to vote for “Best Pairing” to see if beer or wine is the preferred pairing and “Best Entree” based on taste and presentation. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals will be awarded to the Top 3 winning chefs who will the go head to head with restaurant chefs at the Fall 2017 EPICURIAD event.

The event is one of Beer for Brains Foundation multiple events around the country where the partner with breweries, medical facilities, and other partners to raise money and support ground breaking research at GBM Agile Tempe headquarters on the campus of Arizona State University.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thebeerforbrainsfoundation.org/ for $95 per or $150 VIP with proceeds going to Brain Cancer Research with GBM Agile.

Allstate Appliances is at 15250 N. Hayden Rd in Scottsdale.

Beaujolais producer Chateau des Jacques wine dinner hosted by J & G Steakhouse

One of the most food friendly wines of the autumn season is the Gamay grape from Beaujolais. The medium bodied, rustic and elegant wines of Chateau des Jacques, one of the prestigious estates in Beaujolais, will be paired alongside a 5- course French inspired meal prepared by J & G Steakhouse executive chef Jacques Qualin on Tuesday, Dec. 6th. at 6:00pm.

Photo courtesy of J & G Steakhouse
Photo courtesy of J & G Steakhouse

Several vintages will be poured so that guests can taste and discover the flavor profiles of each wine. Kobrand Imports French wine specialist Matthew Semancik will be in attendance to discuss how Chateau des Jacques has raised the bar in Beaujolais with its wine making methods used in Burgundy and applying them to the once traditional Beaujolais methods.

The full menu is below and reservations are required for this $75++ dinner and can be made by calling  480-214-8000 http://www.jgsteakhousescottsdale.com

Amuse

Spiced Chicken Samosas, Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Shrimps Summer Rolls, Sriracha Sauce

Steak Tartare, Baguette

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2015

Second Course

Steamed Shrimp Salad

Tender Greens, Avocado, Champagne Vinaigrette

Chateau Des Jacques Clos Loyse

Beaujolais Blanc 2015

Third Course

Sweet and Sour Beet Risotto

Meyer Lemon

Chateau Des Jacques Fleurie 2013

Fourth Course

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

 Spinach and Potato Gratin, Hot Buttery Hatch Pepper Sauce

Chateau Des Jacques Morgon Cote Du Py 2013

Fifth Course

Sticky Toffee Pudding

 Coconut Sorbet and Toasted Pistachio, Pavlova, Passion Fruit Sorbet

2012 Chateau Des Jacques Moulin A Vent,

Clos Rochegres 2012