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| PAIRING WINE AND FOOD |
What's the best way to become an expert on pairing food and wine? Certainly not by studying boring grids and memorizing long, dull lists, but by tasting, sipping, tasting, and sipping. And tasting and sipping.
We've heard it millions of times; red wine goes with red meat and white wine goes with white meat or fish. There is some basis to this theory. But it wasn't until one chilly, fall evening when I bit into a juicy New York Strip steak, hot off the grill, followed by a gulp of California Cab that I saw the light. Until I actually tasted the two together, it never really clicked. The steaks fatty juices softened the heavy tannins in the wine, letting its ripe fruit flavors take center stage. Those same fruity flavors then highlighted the smoky, grilled meat flavors. It was that night I understood that this truly was a match made in heaven.
There are three general approaches to pairing food and wine. You can bridge the flavors, complement the flavors, or contrast the flavors. For each of your meetings, I'll give you recipes that provide three memorable cases in point. For example in June, you'll see how the using Riesling a recipe bridges the flavor between the food and the wine tasting. You'll notice how Riesling's slightly sweet taste complements the sweet teriyaki glaze, and how it contrasts the heat you'll feel from the wasabi.
My recipes are so easy that even a rookie to the kitchen can make them. Pick up a copy of The Wine Club for lists of "no-cook" alternatives, such as cheese, pretzels, popcorn, and other ready-made items that are super easy to serve up and complement a variety of different wines. That way, you can combine homemade dishes with no-cook options to keep your gatherings simple.
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| THIS MONTH'S TIPS AND RECIPES COURTESY OF JENNIFER FRYE: |
Summer's Best: Every year when summer rolls around people find themselves blissfully soaking up the sun and fun that comes with entertaining guests outside. People migrate to the grill and kitchen to delight in juicy, colorful fresh produce and succulent dishes to celebrate the refreshing leisure of the summertime. Savoring any cool, simple dish that can be shared among friends and family under the warmth of the setting summer sun is the perfect escape for those hot days that seem, for a time, to stretch on forever. Below are some easy to prepare, yet delicious summer favorites that make entertaining or just enjoying the day sweetly simple.
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 Guacamole (PDF)
This tangy, chunky guacamole makes a great, easy appetizer when served with homemade tortilla chips. (more...) |
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 Summer Kabobs (PDF)
Serve these juicy kabob bites on the skewer for individual treats or with pasta for a sit-down dinner; cube veggies ahead of time for stress-free grilling. (more...) |
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 Lemon Slushie (PDF)
This cool, refreshing slushie makes a great get-together drink with both kid-friendly and adult versions. (more...) |
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