Palate Stretchers
Farmers Market Pairings
TASTE - October 7, 2009
Picture this: a nippy fall day with the morning sun dancing through leafless trees on Union Square in Manhattan or sparkling off the water at the Ferry Building in San Francisco; row after row of farm stands overflowing with produce; friendly hawkers luring you with freshly cut samples.
New Farmers Markets are springing up all across America. Visiting them connects us closer to our community, helps us learn more where our food is from, and benefits the environment. For a change, try a Farmers Market plate when hosting guests before dinner! Here's a few tips for serving wine with the season's fresh fruits and veggies.
Apples taste so much like many white wines that they're difficult to match up well. But not so with pears! New World Pinot Gris (especially ones from Oregon) go well with pears, and wonderfully when blue cheeses are part of the accompaniment.
Bell peppers work famously with Cabernet Franc, particularly the lighter styles from the Loire Valley of France, because these wines have hints of bell pepper and mushroom.
The fresh, crisp flavors of cucumbers are a perfect compliment to the citrus and white pepper flavors of Gruner Veltliners from Austria.
The exotic fruit aromas of an Albariņo from Rias Baixas in Spain act as a foil to the broad, mellow flavors of cauliflower, especially when a pinch of sea salt is added.
What about wines for raw carrots? In a word, forgetaboutit!
While reducing your carbon footprint and eating healthy, don't hesitate to serve the right wine.
Our Palate Stretchers uncover the subtle, complex and fascinating
world of wine.
Are You a Wine Enjoyer?
Check out the options we have for wine lifestyle and
travel ideas delivered in small bites via email.
