Time to try another food and wine pairing at the HnA Headquarters. While some of you may think that making a perfect match when it comes to wine and food is an easy or straightforward thing to do, you’re WRONG! Now, don’t take that the wrong way or anything, just sayin’ that it can be difficult. After all, there’s a lot going on; between different sauces, cheeses, spices and whatnot in food as well as fruit, acidity, tannins and whatnot in the wine. Take all that into consideration, sniff the food, then close your eyes and point at the wine cabinet! See what you come up with. Well, okay, it might not be that random…we like to think that we make somewhat educated “guesses” and must admit that we’ve come up with some spectacular combinations as well as some not-so-great pairings.
Here’s how it usually goes: Annie’s cooking something in the kitchen and Hoot comes around looking for tidbits. Then he’ll wander off and come back with anywhere from 2 to 6 bottles and it gets narrowed down from there. Sometimes based on past experience and sometimes based on gut feelings…but maybe slightly motivated by hunger and thirst.
The menu this night was Beef and Spinach Ravioli in a Garlic-Tomato Ragu sauce with Grated Havarti Cheese on top.
The wine this night was an ’08 “Tuscan Nights” from Pianetta Winery. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 5% Petite Sirah.
Here goes….
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgN1I7zix1w[/youtube]
Thanks again Hoot for another shout out. The Beef and Spinach Ravioli looks delicious, you must have a big inventory of wine to choose from. I can’t keep it long enough in my house we drink it to fast. Hoot I want to see you smile more while Annie’s talking you look to serious, lol. Love you guys …too! I love your videos’ from your house you have beautiful decor, good taste! 🙂
Hoot loves to do the Bev shout out! We drink the wine pretty fast, too…but try to keep a steady supply. We’ll make sure there’s lots of smiling going on, after all we’re drinking WINE!!! It’s fun, right???
Right On! Smiles & Hugs 🙂
Right back at’ya!
and soooo why did you not put a barbera on the menu… i am talking, Eberly 2003 or Harmon cellers,,,, right now… ok i left out 4 vines,,, sorry,,,, that is all i would serve with my homemade 9 hrs speg sause…. just say’in..
Linda, a Barbera would have a great choice but we were fresh out! We were going with what we had in the wine rack…a Sangiovese would have been good too! Time to stock up…
Ok… #1 Thank you so much for the shout out as well as picking our wine for the pairing! I LOVE that wine. I can also see how it might not have been a good pairing. I think the previous posts mentioning Barbera might be spot on, also perhaps a Sangiovese.
#2. I am completely volunteering myself to help with your “pairing food with wine… what works” endeavor. I love food and wine, and it is definitely something I would like to experiment with myself.
Woo Hoo… Go Giants! (even though I don’t watch baseball)
Hey Caitlin! We LOVED that wine too, but agreeing on the pairing suggestions. (Thanks, Linda)
We’d love to have you help us out with a pairing adventure…we’ll coordinate because FOOD and WINE are pretty much our favorite things in life! Thanks for the Giants love, it’s ON tonight!!!
I follow you guys, sorry no comments. Love your fun, make me wish I could just hang with you. Love Pianetta. Especially! petite Sirah. Pairing food and wine is quite an adventure, thanks for sharing.
Hey Danna, thanks for following! Come drink wine with us anytime…and YES, Pianetta is great!!! I bet your beautiful chocolates would pair well with some Petite Sirah!
Thank you, that’s what Caitlin thought, too, so she’s carrying the Joycups now. I know they are very happy there. Hope to meet up with you one day. Have a fab day you two!
Danna – Sounds great…we’ll have to get in there to try some! Would love to meet up some day! Keep in touch…