Tag: Rioja

A Crianza For Every Day, Plus a Special Evening in Los Angeles

Rioja means a lot to me. I’ve spent time in the beautiful region on several occasions, with Angela and friends, and we always dined and drank well.

This wine is a must-buy.

Tempranillo is the key word there, and here, because the wine I want to tell you about today is 100 percent Tempranillo, a Crianza from Viña Pomal.

As you’ll read, I paired it with lamb chops, and everything about the combination was just right. You can find this bottle for around $16, and I’d buy it by the case if I were you.

It’s going to be amazing …

For anyone in Los Angeles on March 10, I have a recommendation for you, and it can be conveyed in three words: Heitz, Mayacamas, and Corison. You’ll need a reservation at the NoMad Hotel, an appetite, and the capacity to deal with wines from three spectacular producers.

EVENING MENU

CANAPES
Cauliflower Hummus Tartlet

Chicken Burger with Truffle Mayo, Frisee & Pickled Shallots
Hanger Steak Skewer with Salsa Verde

Paired with
Billecart-Salmon, Selection NoMad, Extra Brut, Mareuil-Sur-Ay


FIRST COURSE
Kanpachi Ceviche

Radish, Onion, and Lettuces

Paired with
2018 Heitz, Chardonnay, Quartz Creek Vineyard
2018 Corazon, Gewurztraminer, Anderson Valley
2002 Mayacamas, Chardonnay, Mt Veeder


SECOND COURSE
Cavatelli

Winter Mushrooms, Swiss Chard & Parmesan

Paired with
2014 Heitz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trailside Vineyard
2015 Corison, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2015 Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder


THIRD COURSE
NoMad Roasted Chicken Breast 

Black Truffle-Parmesan Stuffing with Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Chicken Jus

Paired with
2000 Heitz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trailside Vineyard
2005 Corison, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2005 Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder

Drink well, with those you love.

Plate of the Day: Rack of Lamb Amid the Boxes

It's from New Zealand, and it's good. (But if anyone can find me some good American lamb please get in touch.) (Photo by James Brock)

It’s from New Zealand, and it’s rare. (But if anyone can find me some good American lamb please get in touch.) (Photo by James Brock)

I have taken far too long to settle into my apartment in Houston. In fact, I am still not fully unpacked. Far from it. Most of my books are still in boxes, and though my bookcases are ready and willing to serve their purpose, I have been, shall we say, less than industrious in the area of fully moving in. But that is over. I have set myself a strict deadline. Soon I will be able to put on dinner parties, something I have missed hosting.

However, boxes of books and general clutter have not prevented me from cooking. This past week I was wanting lamb, so I went to a butcher shop/meat market and bought a rack. There was a jar of tapenade in the refrigerator – my parents had sent it to me as a gift  – and I used it, along with some bread crumbs and more capers, as a rub/crust for the rack. A bed of sautéed spinach and shallots finished the dish, which I enjoyed with a bottle of a red from Rioja.

Easy, elegant, delicious. As it was cooking I opened a box that just happened to contain cookbooks. One down, oh so many to go …

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