Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Edelzwicker (Dry White) Traminette (Semi-Dry White) Asian and Indian foods can often be difficult to pair with wine due to their strong flavors. More full flavored wines, such as Edelzwicker, can stand up to the food and create a delightful pairing. Ingredients 1/2 cup rice vinegar 1/2 cup honey 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup sesame oil 3 tablespoons Asian garlic chili sauce 3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic Salt, if desired 8-10 skinless, boneless chicken thighs Chopped green onions (optional) Directions Preheat over to 425F In a bowl whisk together until smooth the vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil
Brats with Bacon and Apple Sauerkraut
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Dry Riesling (Dry White) Edelzwicker (Dry White) Riesling (Semi-Dry White) A classic sauerkraut and brat recipe. The sourness of the food helps soften the tartness in the wine. Ingredients 8 oz thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 1 very large onion, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup semi-dry white wine (e.g. Fenn Valley Riesling) 1 large Granny Smith and 1 large Fuji apple peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces 12 juniper berries 4 bay leaves 1 teaspoon sugar Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 cup water 3 lbs sauerkraut, drained, rinsed and squeezed dry 12
Citrus Almond Israeli Couscous
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Vino Verde (Dry White) Pinot Grigio (Dry White) Israeli couscous has the consistency of pasta, making this light and fresh side dish the perfect compliment to grilled foods and chilled white wine. This can be made ahead of time for easy entertaining. Ingredients 1 cup water 1 teaspoon dried summer savory 1 teaspoon dried parsley 2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon Minor's Chicken base 1/2 cup Israeli (pearl) couscous Zest from 1 lemon 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted 1/2 cup celery 1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion 1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt
Gouda and Sun Dried Tomato Cheese Balls
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Red) Meritage (Dry Red) Merlot (Dry Red) A delicious and easy to prepare appetizer perfect with a dry red wine. This recipe is also easy to make ahead of time! Ingredients 1x8 oz package of cream cheese 2 cups shredded Gouda 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or green onion tops 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup chopped parsley Directions Mix cream cheese and Gouda until well blended. Stir in chives, tomatoes and garlic powder. Roll into small balls and roll in chopped parsley. Cover and
Meat Balls with Pomegranate Currant Sauce
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Red) Meritage (Dry Red) A savory and classic beef based meatball recipe. The sauce is as tart as it is sweet, making it a nice pairing with a dry, red wine. Ingredients Meat Balls - makes about 30 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 cup minced onions 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic 1/4 cup dry wine 2 eggs plus 1 yolk 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 lbs 12oz ground beef 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon
Scalloped Pineapple
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Traminette (Semi-Dry White) Lakeshore Demi-Sec (Semi-Dry White) This was one of the most unique recipes featured at our 2016 New Release Wine & Food Pairing weekends. The balance of sweetness, tartness and savory goodness is a crowd favorite! Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 30 oz crushed pineapple in natural juice, well drained 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 cups firmly packed cubed white bread, crusts removed Directions Preheat oven to 350F In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
2015 Vintage Update – November
As another gorgeous Michigan fall draws to a close, we are breathing a collective sigh of relief as another harvest is in the books. As winemakers, there is a certain comfort in knowing all the fruit is "under the roof." So, the big question...how is the vintage? As with most questions in grape growing and wine making, the answer is complex. Let's start with the numbers. Relative to a "normal" year this was a small harvest. The harsh winters of 2014 and 2015 have certainly taken their tolls on the grapes, particularly the delicate Vitis vinifera varieties. Yields ranged from about 30% of normal for the heartier varieties such as Riesling to complete loss on the
Garlic Spread
Suggested Wines Meritage (Dry Red) Capriccio (Dry Red) Lakeshore Ruby Red (Semi-Dry Red) This recipe is a Welsch family favorite, and was originally published in our print newsletter in 1996! Spread this flavorful concoction on slices of fresh baked bread and serve them with your favorite Italian red sauce and pasta or on their own with bread as an appetizer. Ingredients 1/4 lb (1 cup) peeled garlic cloves 1 small onion finely chopped 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon dry red or semi-dry red wine (such as Meritage) 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 3/4 teaspoon thyme 1.5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese Directions Preheat oven to 350 degree F Combine ALL BUT THE PARMESAN CHEESE together in
Wine Labels 101
Wine labels in the United States are highly regulated - even more so than food labels. As a result they often contain confusing information for consumers. Much of what appears on the wine label is regulated by the Federal Government. In fact, each and every label is approved - even those imported from other countries. Some of the rules are so complex those of us in the wine industry struggle to keep them straight. The label below represents a varietal wine, or a wine with the type of grape listed. The label below represents a non-varietal wine, typically a blend of multiple types of grapes. And lastly, the back label. Confused yet? If you ever have
Stuffed and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Suggested Wines Cabaret Rose (Dry Rose) Capriccio (Dry Red) Pinot Grigio (Dry White) This is a great vegetarian recipe when you are looking for something other than meat to throw on the grill. They are surprisingly filling with a great earthy flavor. Ingredients 4 Portobello mushroom caps, washed with stems and gills removed 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 1/2 red onion, chopped 2 tablespoons dry white wine, such as Fenn Valley Pinot Grigio 10 oz fresh spinach leaves 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 slices of fresh Mozzarella cheese Directions Mix together vinegar, oil, garlic and pepper. Add mushroom and let sit
Wine Bottle Aging Experiment
We get questions almost daily on wine aging. One of the most common questions surrounds how long a bottle of wine can last after the cork is pulled. From an anecdotal perspective we have recommended a few days, but is that really accurate? And certainly the varietal must play a role? We have also noticed, contrary to popular opinion, when some red wines are opened and allowed to stand for several days they actually improve. That can most likely be attributed to an accelerated aging process due to the oxygen in the head-space of the bottle reacting with the tannins in the wine. Since oxygen can also degrade color, flavors, and aroma, this accelerated aging is
Fennel, Grapefruit and Apple Salad
Suggested Wines Vino Verde (Dry White) Pinot Grigio (Dry White) This recipe was featured as the 1st course during the 2015 New Release Wine & Food Pairings. Ingredients 2 bulbs fennel, trimmed and chopped small 1/3 red onion, chopped small 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped small 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 red grapefruit – peeled, white pith removed, pulled to small pieces 3 Tablespoons chopped roasted walnuts Dressing Juice from ½ fresh lemon Juice from ½ fresh lime ½ cup grapefruit juice ¼ cup pomace olive oil Directions Combine fennel, onion, apple, grapefruit, and walnuts in bowl and drizzle with lemon juice. In a jar with a lid combine dressing ingredients and shake