What to Pair With Dinner?

Lucien Michel | March 26, 2020

Some Personal Favorites

When browsing through our inventory, I always like to come across attractive wines that are ready to enjoy, that pair wonderfully with food and will not break the bank. Below are my recent favorite, along with my personal pairing suggestions. Please do pick a bottle and cook up a storm at home or go to your favorite local restaurant. I hope you enjoy the combinations as much as I do!

2007 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato 750ml $850.00
From the famed and traditional Pio Cesare estate, this Barolo is at its sweet spot right now, with an exuberant nose of hazelnuts, blackberry and blueberries. The palate is superb and full-bodied with extraordinary balance, and a silky finish. Having received raving reviews from many critics, this 2007 is not to miss and certainly one of the very best from Pio Cesare.
Food pairing suggestion: Wild game with fine herbs 

2013 Gagnard, Jean-Noel: Chassagne Montrachet, Les Caillerets, 1er Cru 750ml $520.00
Chardonnay from Chassagne Montrachet is my go-to white wine. From one of the best parcels of the commune, this premier cru has a typical Chassagne flint and wet stone appeal. Jean-Noël Gagnard is a producer we absolutely love, producing wines with terrific consistency over the years, and this Chassagne is no exception. I really enjoy the weight in this wine - it balances out the minerality that can sometimes be bone-dry in this commune. 
Food pairing suggestion: clams or other shellfish, either the western way or local cuisine

2010 Flor de Pingus 750ml $600.00
Flor is the second wine of the famed Spanish estate Pingus. This is a great way to get familiar with the powerful, polished and exuberant style coming from this cult Ribera del Duero Estate. With some years in bottle this is showing a lot of class and personality, reminiscent of the first label. This wine needs time to open but once it does it displays a superb bouquet of dark cherries, cassis, and orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied, with plush tannins finely balanced by a striking acidity and a lingering finish with white pepper notes. With a lovely tension, this wine delivers a lot of drinking pleasure. 
Food pairing suggestion: Red meats, or grilled chicken 

1990 Huet, Domaine: Vouvray, Clos du Bourg, Moelleux 1er Cru 750ml $850.00
Want to branch out from the classic Sauternes for dessert? Try this stunning Chenin Blanc from one of the Loire’s most historic estates. Drier in style to the dessert wines from Bordeaux and Alsace, this 'Moelleux’ can be enjoyed on its own or pairs wonderfully with some blue cheese. From the much lauded 1990 vintage this offers plenty of tangy intensity with flavors of ripe apricot, tangerine, nuts and minerals. Fine and precise with great acidity and a long finish showing, superb notes of molasses and wet stones. The dessert wines of Huet can certainly rival the great sweet wines in the world, and offer a personality of their own: Chenin Blanc is such an expressive variety!
Food pairing suggestion: many cheeses will work. Try and experiment, but blue cheese is a must