Category: Food

Caraway Crema

February 3rd, 2017     Dressler's  /  Food  /  Recipes

Yield 1 pt.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp. caraway seed (toasted)
  • 1 tbsp. shallot (minced)
  • 2 ½ cup heavy cream (1/2 cup reserved)
  • 2 cup sour cream

 

Procedure:

  • Gather all ingredients
  • In a sauté pan; toast caraway seed over high heat, moving continuously until fragrant
  • Add shallot and heavy cream, bring to a boil
  • Simmer until reduced to 1 cup
  • Strain and cool
  • Combine sour cream and reserved heavy cream in a bowl
  • Add reduced cream and mix until smooth
  • Using a spatula, transfer crema into an appropriate container
  • Label, date and store on proper shelf in refridgerator

Dogwood: What We’re Drinking

February 3rd, 2017     Dogwood  /  Food

In a business flooded with new wines and innovations every day, it’s difficult to stand out in the restaurant beverage game. Sommelier André Hueston Mack has managed to not only captivate, but hold the industry’s attention. Mack’s pedigree is sure to impress, as it includes a sommelier position with the prestigious Thomas Keller at both Per Se in New York City and The French Laundry in Yountville, California. Despite his award-winning wine lists, winemaking was always a goal for Mack. This dream came to fruition as Mouton Noir Wines. The name Mouton Noir translates to “black sheep” in French, and is a nod to his portrayal as an underdog sommelier. The cheeky name of his winery is exactly how Mack wants to convey his wine to the world. From the marketing techniques to the brilliant bottle names, Mack wants to replace the elitism of wine culture with a little humor, while still showing it respect by making fantastic wines.

One of Mouton Noir’s first wines was O.P.P. (Other People’s Pinot). Despite its hip name, this wine is a classic Oregon Pinot Noir. The characteristics of O.P.P. are quintessential Oregon Pinot beginning with beautiful bright ripe fruit. As the wine opens up, aromas of earth, spice, and floral notes emerge; flavors of herbs, cherry, and ginger wood spices take center stage on the palate.

Not only is O.P.P. a delicious juice, it’s also a food lover’s dream. In an age where small plates dominate, giving us multiple delicacies at once, it’s challenging to find a suitable wine pairing. O.P.P. is the perfect wine to bridge the gap between steak, seafood, etc. Mack originally created the wine specifically for restaurants as a universally food-friendly wine, but demand eventually called for retail sales as well. Mack has created a new cult classic that leaves only one question to be asked: “You down with O.P.P.?”

Vine-Out and Try Something New

February 3rd, 2017     Food  /  The Porter's House

There is nothing quite like the perfect food and wine pairing. A beautiful glass of champagne with raw oysters, a lovely chardonnay accompanying a butter-poached lobster, or the always classic California cabernet and New York Strip steak. That moment when the flavors and subtle nuances form the perfect dance on your palette is hard to beat. Although the classics will always remain, it is equally as exciting to learn about new wines that can match food in a new and expressive way you’ve never experienced before!

The European wine scene is referred to as the “Old World,” leaving the rest of the globe the title of the “New World.” Both of these worlds have very distinct and different characteristics and flavors; however, there is a hidden gem in Old World Spain giving New World bold red wines a run for their money: a region called Priorat. The region barely existed fifteen years ago, and even now is scarcely known outside of Spain, despite being the home to some of the country’s most award-winning and coveted red wines. One of these stellar and famous wines is Clos Erasmus.

In the late 1980’s a group of winemakers, including Clos Erasmus proprietor Daphne Glorian risked everything to reclaim the glorious Mediterranean wine region Priorat, which had long been ignored and overlooked. The investment paid off as the region and Clos Erasmus, (one of the area’s five original labels), continue to win global recognition in the wine industry. Along with its global cult following, Clos Erasmus, also has a tie to Charlotte, as Daphne Glorian is married to local legendary wine importer Eric Solomon.

Clos Erasmus, is a multifaceted wine, beginning on the nose with ripe dark cherries, dark plums, liquorice, and clove. The minerality is also important to note, as Priorat wines are known for this terroir nuance. On the palate of this full-bodied wine are supple tannins, complimented with concentrated fruit and high acidity.  As with any show-stopping bold red, you’ll find the finish to have a lovely lingering complexity.

This emerging Spanish star would make the perfect companion to a lavish steak dinner, or even as the main attraction at cocktail hour with friends. Either way, this wine and its story are certain to impress, so sit back with a bottle and cheers!