Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
A Hearty New Year Greeting (and Pairing)
by David Scott Allen
Winery: Vignerons de Caractère
Cuvée: Éternité
Appellation: Vacqueyras
Type: Red
Vintage: 2007
Grape Varietals: Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%), and Mourvèdre (10%)
Alcohol: 15%
Average Retail Price: U.S. $30.00, G.B £17.00, FR €30.00
I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than lamb with a rich, full-bodied red wine by its side. A bottle of 2007 Éternité has been sitting in our caves (okay, it’s a wine rack) waiting for the right meal. It’s Christmas, and Provençal lamb shanks have been braised; the Éternité joined the celebration. With its blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, this Rhône wine was perfect for the earthy, tomato-y, citrus-infused lamb. The nose was deceptively light, but the first taste was full, fruit forward (blackberry and cherry), and spicy. After a taste of the lamb, the intensity diminished only slightly and we were left with a round, minimally tannic, wine with a soft finish that could easily pair with any variety of roasted meats or fowl. This is a terrific bottle of wine – one I will get again soon. At $30.00, it is perhaps not an everyday wine, but one for special occasions. It is readily available in the United States through Total Wine.
For my recipe for Braised Lamb Shanks, please visit my blog Cocoa & Lavender .
Other Pairings: Roasted beef, pork, lamb, and fowl, as well as rich, hearty stews.
Post and Photos by David Scott Allen
Thanks, Susan, for this wonderful opportunity to work together! We are going to have fun!
I am already having fun working with you and eagerly anticipate the next pairing!
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try the recipe and the wine….
Thanks, Joanne! They go together so beautifully!
You will not go wrong with anything David recommends!
Susan and David,
Enjoy learning of the new contributor to this up and coming MUST READ wine blog. Except for copious amounts of Rose consumed when in Provence, the better Rhone reds, such as the interesting looking Vacqueyras you highlight to accompany the lamb dish, which we relish all through the year, have for us exclusively become food partners. That for a simple reason – alcohol content. It’s personally sad that for our taste the only quaffing Rhone red left are the Cotes du Rhone’s, and pre-2000 vintage top shelf communes. Blame it on the Aussies?
Ciao,
Jerry
Jerry – I found your comment very interesting – I was unaware that this was an issue. (But very much appreciate the alcohol content, as well) Thanks for reading!
Jerry,
Your commentary is always interesting. Thanks for bringing this issue–in my mind, a growing problem–to our reader’s attention. I enjoyed a recent article you forwarded to me by Blake Gray about increased interest in low-alcohol wines. Readers who are interested can click here: http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2015/01/low-alcohol-wines-under-the-spotlight
And here is another article about a topic you mentioned:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2013/05/whos-to-blame-for-rising-alcohol-levels
You got me thinking about this issue!
There couldn’t be a better “pairing” for bringing readers information about food and wine. Thank you for joining forces. This will be a go to source for this cannot fail excellence.
Thanks, Patti – you are so kind! I hope it will be fun for everyone! I know that Susan and I are having a great time.
Our pleasure, Patti! Please keep visiting and keep the feedback coming!
Oh boy — this is a tempting pairing. I’d love to try the pair during these chilly winter days. Thanks for sharing!
Jill – let us know if you try it! I think “chilly” for the East Coast is quite the understatement these days! Thanks for reading!
Jill, Do let us know what you think! and, readers, watch for an upcoming article about Domaine des Terres Blanches contributed by Jill!