Bajoz Grenache 'El Original'

Attributes:
Producer:

Bajoz
Region:

Toro, Spain
Varietal:

Grenache
Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Almonds, Dates, Figs & Raisins, Hazelnuts
Herbs & Spices: Cilantro, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cumin, Saffron
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Spicy Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Vegetables: Artichokes, Beans, Green, Beans, White, Carrots, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Gazpacho, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Swiss chard or Kale, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, White Aspargus with Mustard Vinagrette

Grenache:

Originally from Spain, this grape comes in both red-wine and white-wine varieties and is often associated with France’s southern Rhone Valley. The Grenache grape does well in hot, dry regions, and its strong stalk makes it well suited for windy conditions. It ripens with very high sugar levels and can produce wines with high alcohol content. Grenache wines are sweet, fruity, and very low in tannins. They are usually lacking in color, except in growing areas where yields are low. In Spain Grenache is widely planted in Navarra as well as in many of the hotter areas of the country. In southern France Grenache is widely cultivated in the areas around Languedoc- RoussillonRousellon, Provence, and the southern Rhone. It is also extensively grown in Algeria, Australia, Corsica, Israel, Morocco, Sardinia and California's central valley. Red Grenache wines are usually blended with other varieties: trempranillo in Spain and cinsaut and carignan in France. It’s the primary grape in chateauneuf-du-pape as well as in several rose wines.


Toro:

This district just northwest of Madrid produces powerful reds.

Dry Creek 'Heritage' Zinfandel

Attributes:
Producer:

Dry Creek Vineyard
Region:

Sonoma County, United States
Varietal:

Zinfandel
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: CGCW Rating: 88
Body:

solid
Flavors:

boysenberry, licorice, meat, plum, smoky, spicy, tobacco, wild berry
Fruit:

sweet

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87
Complexity:

complex
Flavors:

cedar, cola, prune

2003: CGCW Rating: 86
Texture:

smooth

2001: CGCW Rating: 84
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

berries, briar, toasty oak

2000: CGCW Rating: 88
Flavors:

blackberries, spice

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Feta, Goat Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Citrus Fruits
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Clove, Mint, Oregano, Pepper (black, white, green)
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna, Pasta with Peppery Mushroom Sauce
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Game Birds, Herb Marinated Chicken, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey, Spicy Chicken Dishes
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Game, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Hamburgers, Lamb Stew, Minestrone, Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Spicy Food: Beef Stir Fry
Vegetables: Lentils, Tomato

Sonoma:

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.


Zinfandel:

One of California’s oldest varietals, this grape actually hails from Croatia. Red Zinfandel makes rich dark wines that are high in alcohol and medium to high in tannin. The can have a blackberry or raspberry aroma, a spicy character and even a jammy flavor. Some Zinfandels are relatively light-bodied and meant to be enjoyed young, while others benefit from aging.

Bouchard Pere & Fils Vigne de L'Enfant Jesus

Attributes:
Producer:

Bouchard Pere et Fils
Region:

Cote de Nuits, France
Varietal:

Pinot Noir
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2006: Tanzer Rating: 90-93
Complexity:

complex, deep, suave
Flavors:

cherry, flowers, graphite, licorice, oak, raspberry, slightly medicinal, spices, tobacco
Fruit:

sweet

2005: Tanzer Rating: 92
Flavors:

black cherry, licorice, medicinal, menthol, mineral, minerals

2005: Tanzer Rating: 90-93
Fruit:

austere, juicy

2004: Tanzer Rating: 90
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

blackberry, herbs, licorice, oak, pepper, spice, spicy
Fruit:

sweet

2004: Tanzer Rating: 92
Texture:

strong, velvety

2003: Tanzer Rating: 91
Acidity:

bright
Complexity:

complex, suave
Flavors:

bitter, black cherry, chocolate, mocha, plum

2003: Tanzer Rating: 90
Fruit:

sweet

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 92
Complexity:

opulent
Fruit:

concentrated, ripe

Food Matches:
Cheese: Brie, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar
Fish or Shellfish: Grilled Ahi Tuna, Grilled Salmon
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cinnamon, Mint, Mustard, Pepper (black, white, green), Rosemary
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Goose, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Beef Stew, Pork Chops, Veal w/Fruit Sauce
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beets, Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus

Pinot Noir:

(pee noh nwahr)—A tricky grape to grow, Pinot Noir makes some of the best wines in the world. The prototype wine is red Burgundy from France but Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Australia also produce good Pinot Noir. The wine is lighter in color than Cabernet or Merlot with relatively high alcohol, medium-to-high acidity, and medium-to-low tannin. Its flavors and aromas can be very fruity or earthy and woodsy, depending on how it is grown. It is rarely blended with other grapes.

Warm French Bread Pudding

Rated

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup superfine sugar
6 eggs
1-3/4 cups milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 cups cubed sourdough French bread
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, cubed
1/2 cup maple syrup

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The mixture will look grainy.

Add the bread cubes and the fruit to the mixture, toss, and let stand for 10 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.

Remove the pudding from the oven and drizzle with the maple syrup. Serve hot or warm.

Yield

Serves 8

Cook Time

Prep Time: 30 mins.
Cook Time: 50 mins.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: Serves 8
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 495 Calories from Fat: 126
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 14.05g
21%  
Carbohydrates 85.33g
28%  
Dietary Fiber 2.92g
11%  
Saturated Fat 7.91g
39%  
Calories 494.59kcal
24%  
Cholesterol 31.25mg
10%  
Protein 7.65g
12%  
Sodium 468.56mg
19%  
Calcium
1%  
Iron
3%  
Vitamin A
9%  
Vitamin C
36%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.