.
Many of you are members of gourmet groups, food+wine courses, or supper clubs. We are no exception and enjoy the chance to geek out finding new recipes and wine pairings and share them with fellow foodie friends. Our group meets every couple of months for a dinner where the host chooses the theme and members sign up for dishes, one per person or two per couple. Our supper club met recently for a red-themed dinner:
Appetizer #1: Shrimp Cocktail with Red Hot Cocktail Sauce
Appetizer #2: Red Cheese and Crackers
Appetizer #3: Red Pepper-Basil Bruschetta
Amuse Bouche: Turkey-Quinoa Meatball with Red Mole Sauce
Soup: Red Vegetable Gazpacho
Salad: Radicchio Salad with Manchego Vinaigrette
Main Course: Ina Garten’s Beef Bourguignon
Side Dish #1: Smashed Red Potatoes and Beets
Side Dish #2: Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onions, and (Red) Tomatoes in Red Wine
Dessert #1: Strawberries with Mascarpone and Balsamic-Chocolate Liquor Reduction
Dessert #2: Beet Chocolate Cake
Our dishes included the radiccho salad and roasted peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Once we settled on our contributions to the dinner, it was on to the next question: what wines to pair?
Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2007 – Manchego and Rioja pair so well this one was easy. Rioja wines tend to be spicy and flavorful, and this wine was no exception. It had a distinctive Rioja nose and tasted of red fruit and coffee. Bold and drinkable.
Creekside Cellars Cabernet Franc 2008 – This Bordeaux grape – a contender for “the” Colorado grape – pairs well with many foods, especially richly flavored ingredients including red meat and flavorful sauces. With its tastes of dark berries, toastiness, and herbs, it was a natural fit with the main and side dishes. The wine was aged 32 months in French and American oak, which added warmth and complexity.
Winemaker Michelle Cleveland makes a wonderful selection of wines at the winery located in Evergreen, Colorado. Her Cabernet Franc has won multiple awards and is an excellent choice for any wine collection. Plus, the trip to Evergreen to pick up a case makes for a nice Sunday drive.
Until our next adventure in wine and food…
Read more about Creekside Cellars:
coloradowineandfood 