by Valerie Gordon, NDFB Assistant Treasurer
I have a group of friends that have a wine club where we gather at our homes and share wonderful wines and pair them with fabulous foods. It started about 15 years ago or so when several co-workers decided we wanted to get together regularly, and what better way than sharing a meal with great wine!
We found a book called Wine Club of the Month; it’s a month-by-month guide to learning about wine. We started meeting monthly at our homes, each one taking a turn to host that month’s wine and food.
Each month the book takes a different varietal of wine and explains what foods pair best with each wine. It also has recipes for foods that best complement the wine. As the host, you can make the meal as simple or elegant as you want.
Chardonnay the queen of whites, is crisp, fruity with a hint of vanilla, and pairs well with a green salad topped with strawberry and feta cheese.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a big juicy bold red wine that goes well with brisket. Pairing it with a big juicy steak is a match made in heaven.
Pinot Noir is my favorite, the taste of cherries and vanilla with aromas of mocha, cedar and spices. I find it can complement almost any dish. Even a Spanish seafood and rice dish called Paella. Its red color is light and airy, and its elegance could easily make you a Pinot lover as well.
PaellaWhile some people describe the aroma of wines as fruity, or with hints of licorice, others have described the smell more like wet hay, horses or perfume from a barnyard. Even though that doesn’t sound particularly delicious, don’t dump the wine! Once you swirl it a few times in your glass the smell will go away. More often than not, the taste is delicious, and you will come back for more.
During our wine club gatherings, we share a meal and visit about the color, brightness, or silky, velvety texture in your mouth of the wines. There is so much to learn about wines it will take you years, and it is a fun way to gain knowledge and socialize.
While you can find many great wines from California or around the world, now you can experience wine tasting in North Dakota as well. North Dakota was the only state without a winery until Pointe of View Winery near Burlington, N.D. opened in April 2002. Now there are many wineries producing delicious wines, including Red Trail Vineyard near Buffalo, N.D. There are many grape vines that adapt to our climate and soils.
So, get your drink on, explore the many different kinds of wines, and don’t be shy to ask for help when you visit a vineyard in the state. They are always happy to help curious customers. Or start your own wine club with friends!
Try them, share them and enjoy them.
This post first appeared on NDFB's blog, My NDFB Life.