Summer’s Favorite White Wine and Food Pairings
The past few months have greeted us with more hotter-than-usual days than we can count. Whether it’s poolside, at a backyard barbecue, or at our tasting room enjoying breathtaking vineyard views, we’ve been finding ways to cool off with a chilled glass of Two Mountain Winery white wine. However, this season leaves our winery owners, Matthew and Patrick Rawn, reminiscing on summers spent with their grandparents on their boat, the RePhyl. Soaking up the sun and enjoying fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients while at sea was a common summertime occurrence for our brotherly winemaking duo, so to stir up some nostalgia, we’ve paired Matt and Pat’s childhood memories with Two Mountain Winery’s refreshing white wines for a cool splash of summertime in a glass.
2019 Sauvignon Blanc and Clams a la RePhyl
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most versatile white varieties available due to the wide range of flavor profiles that it offers. Our light-bodied 2019 Sauvignon Blanc shines with flavors of bright citrus and stone fruit leaving it begging for a plate full of Pacific Northwest clams! The bright acid and delicate fruit flavors in this wine will perfectly balance the rich meatiness of a steamed clam, ensuring neither will overpower the other. Try steaming your clams using a splash of our 2019 Sauvignon Blanc for added flavor!
2019 Riesling and Oysters on the Half Shell
A great wine and food pairing allows the wine to complement the dish without overpowering it. Oftentimes the right pairing reveals itself when similar aromas and flavors are found in both the wine and the food. Our 2019 Riesling is crafted in an off-dry style, featuring just a touch of sweetness. Flavors of pear, green apple, and a hint of minerality in the Riesling lend ideally to the bright salinity of a fresh oyster. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your oyster to bring out the energetic acid characters in this wine.
For those willing to try something a little more daring yet equally as delicious, our off-dry Riesling also makes an excellent pairing with spicy foods. The slight hint of sweetness in the wine can be just enough to tone down the heat of a hot chili pepper. Next time you try this pairing, add some hot sauce to your oysters for a nice kick! Whether you prefer lemon or hot sauce, together Riesling and oysters are an excellent way to create a sensory experience while experimenting with wine and food pairings.
2018 Chardonnay and Fromage Fort
This summer has been about (safely) reuniting with friends and family. Some of our fondest memories were made with loved ones surrounded by lively conversation, laughter, and great wines. One item that nearly always finds its way to the festivities is a cheese platter, but the true question is: what to do with all the cheese that is left over after the party? Make a fromage fort and pair it with a delicious glass of 2018 Two Mountain Winery Chardonnay! This may be one of the most simple recipes that will save you time and effort on a warm summer evening.
While this recipe is great for repurposing leftovers, there are a few things to keep in mind when pairing wine and cheese. First, you should look for textural similarities between them. This means that if you choose a cheese that is heavy or dense, make sure to choose a wine equally as heavy (or full-bodied), this way you can ensure that the cheese will not overpower the wine. Next, be sure to taste your wine before you taste the cheese. Otherwise, you risk the chance of losing the flavor of your wine to a cheese that is too strong. Lastly, contrary to what you may think, cheeses that are more creamy and buttery (think soft brie) can be a challenge to pair with an oaky wine. Your best bet for wines that have spent more time in the barrel is a semi-hard cheese such as cheddar, or a mild sheep’s milk. However when in doubt, we encourage you to be flexible, experiment with your taste buds, and go with what you love. Sometimes the best pairings come from the most unexpected combinations - and that’s the fun of it!
As the warm summer nights continue on, we hope you’ll pick up a bottle of your favorite Two Mountain Winery white wine, enjoy with friends and family, and cheers to the good times and memories made. If you try one of these pairings, don’t forget to share your experience with us on Facebook and Instagram. We love to see how you share your #twomountainwine and lay down your #humbleroots.