back to store

800.625.8238

Wine Blog from The International Wine of the Month Club

A wine blog written by the experts from The International Wine of the Month Club

Pumpkin Shrimp Curry

October 29, 2013 by Kristina Manning

“Another way of dealing with the slight sweetness of pumpkin is to add some spice to the dish to help cut through it. Curry and pumpkin is a very popular combination and this Thai influenced version of Pumpkin soup does a fabulous job of layering on the flavor and building on the sweetness of the pumpkin without creating a sweet dish.”

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup sliced onion
  • Pumpkin Shrimp Curry1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 chopped plum tomato
  • 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup roasted butternut squash, roasted and diced
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • Steamed rice
  • Cilantro
  • Lime zest
  • Fried shallots

Preparation:

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and ginger; sauté until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute. Stir in plum tomato and pumpkin purée; cook, stirring frequently, until pumpkin is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add vegetable broth, coconut milk, curry powder, and cayenne pepper; simmer for 20 minutes. Add butternut squash, shrimp, and lime juice. Simmer until shrimp are cooked and squash is warm. Serve with steamed rice. Top with cilantro, lime zest, and fried shallots.

Recipe and photo from: www.epicurious.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Don’s October Collector’s Series Top Picks

October 24, 2013 by Don Lahey

The Collector Series Top Pick this month belongs to one of Rioja’s iconic wines, the 2004 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Rioja Reserva.  Nobody in Rioja, Spain’s most celebrated viticultural area, consistently makes a more complex, traditional style of Rioja Reserva than La Rioja Alta. The 2004 Viña Ardanza is positively brilliant, so we were not surprised that Wine Spectator awarded this herculean effort 94 points and just published a preview of the magazine’s buying guide (for the September 30, 2013 issue) in which the 2004 Viña Ardanza Reserva is deemed Highly Recommended.  Better still, Wine Spectator was quick to point out that “Viña Ardanza also offers the best value for money out of this exclusive list.”  If you want to taste a top notch Rioja Reserva or catch a glimpse of the languid beauty of Rioja, come and taste a glass of the 2004 Viña Ardanza.  In each sip, you may actually experience the radiance of the Spanish sun, feel the wind sweeping clean high country vineyards under a pulsating blue sky, and glimpse the arid beauty of distant mountains.  It’s all here in one great glass of Rioja!  Enjoy!

Saluté
Don

La Rioja Alta Vineyard
La Rioja Alta Vineyard

Posted in: Featured Selections, Interesting Wine Info, Notes from the Panel

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo with Crispy Fried Sage

October 22, 2013 by Kristina Manning

A quick and easy creamy goat cheese pumpkin alfredo with crispy fried sage.

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 2

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo with Crispy Fried Sage

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 cup milk (or heavy/whipping cream)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
  • 1 tablespoon sage, sliced thinly
  • 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 handful sage leaves

Directions

1. Cook the pasta as directed on the package.

2. Melt the butter in pan over medium heat, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute.

3. Add the cream, pumpkin puree, goat cheese, parmesan, sage and pumpkin pie spice and simmer until the cheese has melted.

4. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.

5. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, let it turn a light brown, add the sage and fry until crispy.

6. Serve hot over the pasta garnished with more parmesan and crispy fried sage.

Option: Replace the goat cheese with a mild blue cheese like gorgonzola dolce.
Option: Add Sauteed mushrooms.

Recipe and photo from: www.ClosetCooking.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Don’s October Premier Series Top Picks

October 17, 2013 by Don Lahey

This month’s Premier Series Top Pick pays tribute to the legions of Italian immigrant families who settled in California in the early part of the 20th century.  These hardy souls, including John and Jim Pedroncelli’s father John, Sr. weathered Prohibition and helped resurrect the wine industry in Sonoma County before going on to make America a wine drinking nation.  Moreover, the Pedroncelli brothers continue to fashion delicious, easy to understand premium wines at prices most of us can afford.  John Pedroncelli grew up on the family property and has been principal winemaker at Pedroncelli since 1948.  Brother Jim was actually born in the winery’s offices, which were formerly the family’s home, and he has overseen marketing and sales at the winery since 1955.  Today, the winery remains a complete family affair with children and grandchildren all involved in daily operations.  It would be hard to find two more genuine people than John and Jim Pedroncelli, so this month I raise a toast to these two stalwart souls with a glass of this month’s Top Pick, the 2010 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel – a true California classic.

Saluté.
Don

Lisa (Pedroncelli) Blakeley, Lance Blakeley, John Pedroncelli, Maureen Morehouse, Christine Pedroncelli, Joanna Pedroncelli (front) Jim Pedroncelli, Richard Morehouse, Phyllis Pedroncelli, Cathy Pedroncelli, Julie (Pedroncelli) and Ed St. John
Lisa (Pedroncelli) Blakeley, Lance Blakeley, John Pedroncelli, Maureen Morehouse, Christine Pedroncelli, Joanna Pedroncelli (front) Jim Pedroncelli, Richard Morehouse, Phyllis Pedroncelli, Cathy Pedroncelli, Julie (Pedroncelli) and Ed St. John

Posted in: Featured Selections, Notes from the Panel

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

October 15, 2013 by Kristina Manning

“A chili for autumn! Turkey, pumpkin, and traditional chili ingredients go together well in this spicy concoction.”

Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 6

Pumpkin Turkey Chili 2

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and garlic until tender. Stir in the turkey, and cook until evenly brown. Drain, and mix in tomatoes and pumpkin. Season with chili powder, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Serve topped with Cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Recipe and photo from www.AllRecipes.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

In Search of Fine Red Wines That Hardly Anyone Knows

October 10, 2013 by Don Lahey

wineglassesThe market is full of fine red wines from every imaginable place, so choosing a good one can be a daunting task.  So why bother looking for such wines?  Bang for the buck!  And where does one start looking for fine red wines that hardly anyone knows?  How about beginning with wines you’ve never heard of from a place you would never think of?  Start with Uruguay, The Republic of Georgia and circle back to small garagiste producers in California.  Consider grapes such as Bonarda, Saperavi, and Tannat before coming back to Mataro, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel.  Uruguay, a South American oasis of peace and stability, has been making good wine for centuries, most of which has been consumed by the small but prosperous local population.

Tannat, whose origin is Southwest France where it figures in the legendary “Black Wine” of France known as Cahors, is Uruguay’s signature grape variety.  The word tannin derives its name from the Tannat grape, which should tell us something about Tannat: It produces full-bodied, age worthy wines for certain.  Alone or when blended with Merlot from wineries such as Artesana, Tannat delivers a lot of bang for the buck and pairs beautifully with red meats and rich sauces.

Saperavi, a red grape from The Republic of Georgia (a small country with a mere 8,000 year old history of wine production) yields another fine red wine that almost nobody knows.  Saperavi is a versatile grape that can be made for gratifying early consumption or crafted for the long haul.  Marani makes a number of noteworthy wines from the Saperavi varietal.  And after further exploration far and wide, head back to California in search of old vine field blends of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah,  Mataro and more from a small producer you’ve never heard of.  You will almost certainly find wine worthy of the quest.

Saluté!
Don

Posted in: In the News, Interesting Wine Info, Notes from the Panel

Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast

October 8, 2013 by Kristina Manning

This is a delicious autumn meal with crisp apples, pan roasted chicken, and a savory white wine gravy! Try serving it with mashed potatoes or rice pilaf and pairing it with a dry white wine, such as, Tavignano “Villa Torre” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2012 which we featured in our Premier Series last month.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 4

Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast 2

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup chopped apple (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Newtown Pippin, Rome Beauty and/or Winesap apples may be used.)
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian-style dried bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine apple, cheese, and bread crumbs. Set aside.

2. Flatten chicken breasts between sheets of waxed paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Divide apple mixture between chicken breasts, and roll up each breast. Secure with toothpicks.

3. Melt butter or margarine in a 7 inch skillet over medium heat. Brown stuffed chicken breasts. Add wine and 1/4 cup water. Cover. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.

4. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch; stir into juices in pan. Cook and stir until thickened. Pour gravy over chicken, and garnish with parsley. Serve.

Recipe and photo from www.AllRecipes.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

« Newer Entries
Older Entries »
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Check out our Wine Clubs

  • Premier Series Wine Club
  • Bold Reds Wine Club
  • Masters Series Wine Club
  • Collectors Series Wine Club

Wine Lovers’ Pages

  • Food & Wine Pairings
  • Old World Wine Regions
  • Grape Varietals
  • Wine Making Process

Recent Posts

  • Argentina: Where Quality and Variety Abound
  • What to Expect in August 2024
  • Armenia: Back to the Future
  • What to Look for in July 2024

Wine Topics

  • Featured Selections
  • In the News
  • Interesting Wine Info
  • Member of the Month
  • Notes from the Panel
  • Recipes and Pairings
  • Uncategorized
  • Wine Education
  • Wine Events
  • Wine Humor
  • Wine Regions
Sign up for our rss feed

Archives

The International Wine of the Month Club

The International Wine of the Month Club | 1-800-625-8238 (Outside USA call: 949-206-1904) | P.O. Box 1627, Lake Forest, CA 92609