Most Labor Day food gatherings revolve around the grill and mark the end of summer.While many may not think of pairing traditional Labor Day foods like hamburgers, bratwurst and sausage with wine, ask why not? Hamburger is red meat and we know wine goes great with red meat. Brats and sausage are generally pork or chicken and again, we know wine pairs very well with white meats. The trick is pairing these foods with the right wine, especially for those of us in Florida where summer will be with us for a bit longer.
So what’s on the menu for today? If you starting with chips and dip, try pairing with a sparkling wine. The saltiness of the chip goes great with the crisp taste of sparkling wine. If hamburgers are on the menu, try a Zinfandel. If brats or sausage are on your menu, pair with a Pinot Noir or Riesling.
2006 Reds http://www.laurelglen.com/laurelglen/catalog/index.jsp?cat_id=1005 from the Lodi region of northern coastal California is a perfect compliment to any gilled item. The grapes are actually harvested in mid-August so hopefully the good folks at Laurel Glen Vineyard can enjoy some time off and enjoy the fruits of their labor, so to speak. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel (60%), Carignane (30%) and Petite Sirah (10%). The aromas were bold and more like a Bordeaux or Tempranillo. I take in the smell of oak and leather. The flavor is a black pepper, Cassia and a smoky finish. The Carignane grape is traditionally grown in Spain and France which explains why this Zinfandel takes on much bolder aromas and flavors. The label states this a wine for the people making it even more fitting on this day.
While enjoying your cookout and bottle of wine, keep in mind all the efforts countless people put into bringing you that wine.
So what’s on the menu for today? If you starting with chips and dip, try pairing with a sparkling wine. The saltiness of the chip goes great with the crisp taste of sparkling wine. If hamburgers are on the menu, try a Zinfandel. If brats or sausage are on your menu, pair with a Pinot Noir or Riesling.
2006 Reds http://www.laurelglen.com/laurelglen/catalog/index.jsp?cat_id=1005 from the Lodi region of northern coastal California is a perfect compliment to any gilled item. The grapes are actually harvested in mid-August so hopefully the good folks at Laurel Glen Vineyard can enjoy some time off and enjoy the fruits of their labor, so to speak. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel (60%), Carignane (30%) and Petite Sirah (10%). The aromas were bold and more like a Bordeaux or Tempranillo. I take in the smell of oak and leather. The flavor is a black pepper, Cassia and a smoky finish. The Carignane grape is traditionally grown in Spain and France which explains why this Zinfandel takes on much bolder aromas and flavors. The label states this a wine for the people making it even more fitting on this day.
While enjoying your cookout and bottle of wine, keep in mind all the efforts countless people put into bringing you that wine.
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