Wine – FoodWatcher

2 New Zealand Wines (& Food Pairings) to Serve All Winter

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Wairau River Wines to help you plan the season’s best and most festive dinner parties.

With cooler weather here to stay, it’s time for long, boozy nights with all our nearest and dearest to celebrate the holiday s…

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Wairau River Wines to help you plan the season’s best and most festive dinner parties.

With cooler weather here to stay, it’s time for long, boozy nights with all our nearest and dearest to celebrate the holiday season. Of course, no dinner party is complete without wine, and I’m loving Wairau River’s Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand for the occasion. Here, I’ve curated two five-course dinner menus that highlight the versatility of each variety. Whether you’re looking for a bright seafood feast or something perfect for your Francophile friends, there’s a Wairau River wine for every occasion.

15 Gifts for the Wine Lover on Your List

We all have that friend who serves as the unofficial sommelier of the group. You know, they can talk for hours about different grape varietals and their favorite bottles, they never show up to a function empty-handed, and they do the simple swirl of the glass before taking the first sip. They're the friend who's appointed to taste the bottle you just ordered at the restaurant and they're the one with the glassware collection you might want to raid.

When it comes to shopping for someone with a specific interest—whether it be wine, bourbon, or gardening—you'd think finding the perfect gift would be easy. After all, if you're able to focus on a specific sector of gifts, it should be simple, right? Not so much. Nothing can turn stressful faster than shopping for someone who knows a lot about something you know only the basics of. So, we're here to help.

For the Perfect Fall Wine, Look to This French Region

With the help of our friends at Wines of Alsace, we’re highlighting four of the region’s most exciting wines—and ideas for how to pair them this fall.

As the weather cools down and the leaves begin to change, my taste in wine shifts from rosés and s…

With the help of our friends at Wines of Alsace, we’re highlighting four of the region’s most exciting wines—and ideas for how to pair them this fall.

As the weather cools down and the leaves begin to change, my taste in wine shifts from rosés and spritzes to light reds and bright, refreshing whites. I get out my tableware and start planning autumn dinner parties, food pairings, and wines that will bring us together.

Tools of the Trade: 11 Essentials for Throwing the Ultimate Outdoor Grill Party

This article is part of an interview series called Tools of the Trade, a column featuring expert-approved tips, tricks, and product recommendations. Food52 earns an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

If you beli…

This article is part of an interview series called Tools of the Trade, a column featuring expert-approved tips, tricks, and product recommendations. Food52 earns an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

If you believe that boxed wine can't be high quality, Woody Hambrecht and Ross Dawkins are here to change that. Career winemakers and decades-long friends, the pair are the co-owners of Ami Ami, a direct-to-consumer brand focused on providing high-quality, eco-conscious, and delicious boxed (yes, boxed) French wine.

The Best Hearty Vegetable Stew

This hearty vegetable stew combines nutritious vegetables, herbs, red wine, and chocolate in one pot to create a rich, comforting, and filling dinner. It is packed with flavor and has an unforgettable aroma that will make your mouth water as soon as it…

The post The Best Hearty Vegetable Stew appeared first on My Pure Plants.

2 Spanish-Inspired Summer Dinner Menus, Wine Pairings Included

We’ve partnered with Marqués de Cáceres to curate two warm-weather menus featuring Spanish dishes paired with their premium wines—perfect for big hosting moments to casual weekend dinners. From crisp, bubbly Cava to spiced, oaky Rioja Crianza, there’s …

When I think of Spain, I think of my trip to Barcelona that coincided with the summer solstice when I spent the night watching fireworks explode in the skies over the densely packed crowd of summer revelers. Or, the afternoon I spent in Mercado de la Boqueria snacking on cones of meats and cheeses and skewers of albondigas, taking breaks to indulge in fresh melon slices. Summer and Spanish fare are deeply intertwined in my mind, including the bold flavors of Spanish wines like those crafted by Marqués de Cáceres. As a Rioja-based, family-run winery, they know how to bottle the feeling of warm sun on your shoulders and a breeze in the air that wafts all the delicious smells from what's cooking. Their wines pair incredibly well with regional dishes, so below you’ll find my recommendations for a three- and four-course dinner—wine pairings included—to celebrate the season and toast to a country that holds so many special summertime memories.

Casarecce Pasta in Peperonata Sauce

Looking for a quick and delicious meal? Try our casarecce pasta recipe! Originating from Sicily, these short pasta noodles are known for their twisted or rolled shape, perfect for holding rich and flavorful sauces. Boil the pasta, and in just 30 minute…

The post Casarecce Pasta in Peperonata Sauce appeared first on My Pure Plants.

How to Make a Spritzer With Any Wine You’ve Got

This article is a part of Wine Week—seven days celebrating all things wine—presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines.

A wine spritzer is a state of mind: a cool breeze on a summer’s day; the sun gently warming your beach ch…

This article is a part of Wine Week—seven days celebrating all things wine—presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines.

A wine spritzer is a state of mind: a cool breeze on a summer’s day; the sun gently warming your beach chair; a beautiful sunset on an evening hike. That is to say, much like making summer memories, spritzers look a little different for each imbiber. On top of being easy to drink (thanks to the low ABV), they’re also easily customizable. So we’ve created an easy guide to creating the perfect wine spritzer to suit your every summer sipping need.

A Pocket Wine Dictionary to Sound Like a Pro in No Time

This article is a part of Wine Week—seven days celebrating all things wine—presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines.

To be an educated wine consumer means you have to speak a bit of a different language. Wine terms can be …

This article is a part of Wine Week—seven days celebrating all things wine—presented in partnership by our friends at Bread & Butter Wines.

To be an educated wine consumer means you have to speak a bit of a different language. Wine terms can be hard to understand, counterintuitive, and difficult to pair with what you experience when tasting wine. Ultimately, this can leave you feeling like simply ordering the second-most expensive glass on the list. That’s why we put together this no nonsense pocket wine dictionary—so you can feel confident when ordering at a bar or choosing a bottle at your local wine shop.

What Grows Together Goes Together: A Simple Wine & Food Pairing Guide

Food and wine pairing doesn’t necessarily require sommelier-level expertise, nor chemist-level abilities to calibrate a wine’s acids, tannins, or alcohol added to a dish. Not that a somm couldn’t lend a hand, but in a pinch, there’s a shortcut. The “wh…

Centuries ago in the Old World, people ate and drank locally by necessity, not because it was trendy to be able to cite which farm, butcher, or dairy your goods came from. What was nearby was what you had to work with. It makes sense that communities designed wines to work with the local fare, tailored recipes to work with the local wines, or created dishes utilizing regional wine within them. A great example: classic French Boeuf Bourguignon—or Burgundy beef—made with regional Burgundy wine and local beef.