As the seasons change, so do our produce.
Winter foods tend to be rich, heavy and robust while Spring comes with tender lamb, delicate herbs, and florals. Summer boasts sweet berries, tart lemons and refreshing seafood, and Fall? Well Fall resides in a limbo between Summer and Winter.
The sweet berries that were enjoyed fresh with summer are turned to jams, the refreshing seafood that you may have enjoyed right out of the shell gets added now to pastas, stews and chowders. And of course I can't forget the spices.
Fall foods are earthy, spice heavy and envelope a feel of comfort. And therefore shouldn't our wines?
While of course any wine can be enjoyed at any season and food pairings aren't set in stone the harmony between wine and food is a beautiful thing.
In this weeks episode we explore a few common fall recipes and the wines that accentuate their flavors.
My first recipe I found on Midwestern Living is an Autumn Beef Stew, a twist on classic that swaps potatoes for squash and adds a bit of bacon fat! Find the recipe here.
A few wines to pair: Bordeaux, Argentinean Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
With Thanksgiving being the most notable Fall holiday it would be easy to find some simple pairing for turkey. However in my family it's the sides that are the real star and a personal favorite has to be the stuffing.
No this isn't your standard Stove Top, this recipe I found on AllRecipes and adds sausage, apple and cranberry to the Stuffing. You can find the recipe here.
A few wines to pair: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling
Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention a pumpkin spiced something for Fall! My personal favorite has to be Martha Stewart's recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Bread. You can find the recipe here.
Perfect for breakfast, dessert or just a snack this spiced bread is a phenomenal treat really at any time.
*Pro tip butter your slice with cream cheese *
A few wines to pair: Riesling, Champagne, Baldwin Oak Aged Apple Wine (Yep you read that right)