Rhône-Style Wine Pairings
Sirloin Strip Roast with Roquefort Mushrooms
Pairing: 2008 Beckmen Vineyards Estate Syrah
Tom and Steve Beckmen specialize in Rhône grapes, and their affordable Syrah is a winner. Delicious blueberry and blackberry flavors are layered with dried herbs, figs and milk chocolate.
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Squash and Zucchini "Linguine" with Goat Cheese
Pairing: 2009 Tablas Creek Vineyard Roussanne
Offers a compelling mix of mineral, almond and melon flavors.
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Shanghai Stir-Fried Pork with Cabbage
Pairing: 2009 Copain Tous Ensemble Syrah
Copain co-owner and winemaker Wells Guthrie’s entry-level Syrah delivers velvety dark-fruit and sassafras notes edged in white pepper.
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Sautéed Chicken with Celery-Root Puree and Chestnuts
Pairing: 2009 Zaca Mesa Viognier
A bright citrus nose is followed by apricot in this lithe white.
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Braised Lamb with Potatoes
Pairing: 2008 Halter Ranch Côtes de Paso
Paso Robles’s warm weather helps give this California interpretation of a Côtes-du-Rhône its savory, raspberry flavors.
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Twice-Glazed Asian Barbecued Chicken
Pairing: 2009 Foxen Cuvée Jeanne Marie
Foxen’s aromatic, cherry-rich Grenache blend from the Santa Ynez Valley is a masterful Rhône-style red.
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Seaweed-Dusted Pork Chops with Quick-Pickled Carrots
Pairing: 2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Beeswax Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc
Made from Roussanne and Grenache Blanc grapes, this white blend has an aromatic bouquet of succulent peach, honeydew and orange blossoms. Bright acidity electrifies flavors of stone fruit, ripe pear and minerals.
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Meat Loaf with Creamy Onion Gravy
Pairing: 2009 Cline Cashmere
Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah yield chocolate and cherry flavors in this lush Rhône-style blend.
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Crab Salad with Ginger and Dried Orange Peel
Pairing: 2009 Qupé Marsanne
Made with Marsanne that was fermented and aged in neutral oak and a bit of Roussanne aged in French oak for a year, this white shows a thick texture, zesty citrus and minerals.