Beer Tasting Party Menu
Put some wine in the Super Bowl Party Menu
Perfect Pairings
By Bill and Karen Garlough
As published in The Naperville Sun, The Beacon News The Courier News and The News Herald – January 30, 2009
One of our New Year resolutions for 2009 is to find interesting new wines that offer exceptional value. In the column, I have always tried to present the wines that offer good value and this approach is more appropriate than ever.
With all the snow, sleet and ice and rain we experienced in this time of year, we tend to hang out in our homes and host or attend interior parts. Football playoffs offer a good reason to invite your friends over and have some fun. In this column, Karen will provide a quick and easy to propagate jalapeño perfect for football matches and bill par with some wines that work well with this food.
Wine Facts
football games are fun and offer an informal way to meet and socialize. party fare Football tends to be bold and spicy with barbecue ribs, chili, pizza, sandwiches and a variety of salsas and chips as the common menu items. These dishes often call beer. When hosting a party, is a good idea to offer wine, beer drinkers and a variety of options including drinks soft drinks without alcohol and water.
As the wine is growing rapidly in popularity in the U.S., not a wide variety of flavors and styles available. Slightly sweet and fruity wines tend to balance bold and spicy food. I will focus on some red wines that your guests can enjoy the football game.
I recently visited a couple of local wine merchants and challenged them to suggest wines that are fruity, with reasonable prices and have a fun and whimsical name. Mark Dryden Cabernet and Company rose to this challenge Naperville two interesting reds. Both wines are blends of merlot, cabernet and syrah. Offer fruity Merlot of a wine. The first wine called Mark suggested that papaya, the Cellar Bergevin in Washington. This wine has great cherry notes. I can only imagine your guests asking for to "go long" for another glass of papaya. Mark's second recommendation is Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend Winery Pietra Santa, which contains more syrah grapes that papaya, and taste is slightly dry. Both wines are ideal drinks football.
Party Fare
When guests have more, the recipes are quick, easy and relatively inexpensive are ideal. At parties, people love to nibble on a variety of foods of comfort that are bold and spicy. This recipe is reminiscent of jalapeno poppers served in most pubs. You can also make cheese low-fat cream and mayonnaise without sacrificing flavor. Add more peppers if you want an extra touch!
Popper Spread Tavern
2 oz 8 packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 4 oz chopped green chile
1 / 8 cup (2 oz.) Jalapeño Slices (bottled, not fresh), chopped (add more to taste)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup bread crumbs (Japanese Panko is recommended)
French bread slices – toasted
O
Tortilla Chips
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix the green chilies and jalapeno peppers. Transfer the cheese mixture in a service oven safe dish. Combine cheese Parmesan and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top. Bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is hot and is a gold star. Garnish with a 3 to 5 jalapeno slices and serve with toasted French bread or tortilla chips.
Football Picks Bill Wine Party (with suggested retail price retail)
Pillar Box Red $ 11
Red Blend Sacred Stone Master $ 10
Fruit Bomb $ 14
Marquis Philips Shiraz $ 14
Garlough Bill and Karen are the owners and founders of My Chef Catering in Naperville, the winner 2007 House of the U.S. Small Business the Year. Bill is a Level 1 Master Sommelier.
Wine of the Month - Bill Garlough, My owner Chef Catering, Naperville
Pillar Box Red - MSRP $ 11
While the label is capricious and that there are many Australian wines, the content is serious business.
This wine contains 50% Shiraz, 42% and 8% Cabernet Merlot. It has a dark color, purple
and offers a fruity nose of black cherry, black raspberry and blueberry. This full-bodied red offers great value and received a grade 91 by Robert Parker, the famous wine critic.
About the Author
Bill Garlough is a Level 1 Master Sommelier and an owner of My Chef Catering in Naperville, IL, the winner of the U.S. Chamber’s 2007 Small Business of the Year award. Bill can be reached at My Chef or bgarlough@mychef.com