Cocoa & Lavender

March 2, 2019 9

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Smooth Operator

When I started writing this column - can you believe it has been four years? - I had never had a French Viognier. I was used to the sweet, strongly spiced American vintages which, I believe, have their place at the table. They are well-liked and, as soon as anyone here says, “Lobster with drawn butter,” someone else in the rooms puts a Viognier... [...]

February 2, 2019 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Side by Side by Syrah

Your average dinner for four. Apéro had been served. Dinner was in the oven. The table was set. Two wines were open and ready. But this wasn’t an average dinner. And we certainly didn’t have average wines. In fact we – Susan, Towny, Mark, and I – had two highly rated, 100% Syrah... [...]

January 5, 2019 8

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Intentional

No, Dorothy, we aren’t in Kansas... or Provence, for that matter. But I did this intentionally. I planned to share a cassoulet on New Year’s Eve with Susan and Towny, and wanted the wine to pair perfectly.

Since I got the basic recipe for the cassoulet from John and Nicole... [...]

December 1, 2018 0

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Holy Vin Rouge, Batman!

Forgive the silliness of the title, because this is one serious wine.

Susan and Towny, and their daughter Alex, came to Tucson at the end of July. With them, they brought - among other wines - this gem. I am sorry to inform you that this isn’t a wine you will be... [...]

November 3, 2018 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
The Game of Chance

Once again, I think I was very lucky with this pairing. I was serving Persian-spiced Lamb Shanks to friends who drink only red wine. And only red wine from France. Picky, picky. (You can find the recipe at Cocoa & Lavender.)

We had just returned from three glorious weeks in Sicily... [...]

August 4, 2018 0

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
A Fight to the Finish

Not everything goes as planned. I had, in hand, what I hoped would be a knock-your-socks-off white for this month’s wine with food pairing. However... [...]

July 7, 2018 0

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Mix and Match

Generally, when serving a meal, I like to pair the wines with the region from which the food comes. It’s not always possible - Asian food, for example - but, when making Italian dishes (even as specific as Sicilian fare) there are so many good local wines available for pairing.

However, if you look slightly northwest out your window in Palermo, Sicily, you might be able to see the coast of France, and - more specifically today - the Costières de Nîmes region, from which today’s wine comes. (Yes, Sardinia is in the way of your view... but work with me.)... [...]

June 2, 2018 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Rough and Ready

Sometimes you want it rough. You’re not in the mood for refined and elegant, or complex and silky. You might be serving a mixed grill, or even just a simple steak. You want a good, solid, edgy wine.

That was the case for this month’s... [...]

May 5, 2018 6

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
The Luck of the Draw

I’m a typical Virgo. I am very particular about things - from the color of my socks, to the route I drive to and from work. I would say that I am deliberate, especially when it comes to food and wine. I don’t do potlucks; I don’t believe there should be any “luck” in a meal, or with its accompanying... [...]

February 3, 2018 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Angels at My Table

When in the company of angels, you had better plan a decent meal. Right?

Whispering Angel and Rock Angel are the first two of four wines from Château d’Esclans. The next two up the ladder are Les Clans and Garrus. While I have yet to taste either of these latter [...]

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