Winter is coming and boy have we been feeling it, especially in comparison to the 40-degree temperatures we are used to in Mount Isa. So how does one embrace the drop in mercury? With a good drop of red and delicious food of course.
Over the Winter months, we tend to lean towards warm hearty dishes filled with meat and plenty of sauce and when it comes to pairing a boozy beverage, there is nothing like a glass of red wine to elevate the flavours of that dish. Red wines can be complex at the best of times, so thankfully we have consulted the experts at Super Cellars to provide three stellar drops to pair with moorish Winter meals. Spoiler alert, lamb ragu pappardelle is included!
Red Wine 101
Before we delve into the wine pairings that you simply must try, let’s start with a very brief overview of red wine.
Not surprisingly, there are thousands of grape varietals across the World with some of the most common red varietals including Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache and Malbec. Those that you may not have spotted before include Tempranillo, Zweigelt, Zinfandel, Montepulciano and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
When a red wine is tasted it will be judged on its sweetness, acidity, tannins (bitterness), level of alcohol, body, finish, length of aftertaste, complexity and layers. Flavours of a red wine are typically derived from that of red and black fruit or berries. With such a variation in structure, red wines are not just great to sip on, but to cook with too.
If you are purchasing Australian produced red wines, look out for regions such as the Barossa Valley, Margaret River, Coonawarra, Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley.
Finding The Perfect Pair
Now that we have given you a brief introduction into red wine, you will be able to gain a better understanding of how each varietal works with different food groups. Essentially you need to stick to the golden rule of matching the intensity of the food to the wine so they are even. Because red wine contains tannins which can also be referred to as the level of bitterness, it is best to balance it out with fat and bold flavoured meats. You will find that red wine with the least amount of tannins includes Pinot Noir and Merlot while those with a higher level are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz or Syrah.
The basic food and wine pairing chart below can be a useful guide to refer to, otherwise always ask bottle shop staff for recommendations.
Three Recipe and Wine Pairings to Try
So whether you are hosting a small dinner party (with social distancing measures in place), or cooking for one, we have compiled these three delicious Winter recipes, each with a recommended red wine that you can pick up from Super Cellars, located next to Redearth Boutique Hotel.
Get ready to twirl those forks like you’ve never done before with cooking Queen, Nigella Lawsons’ lamb ragu pappardelle. Think thick ribbons of pasta accompanied with tender chunks of lamb. We recommend serving it with De Bortoli’s DB Winemaker Selection Shiraz which you can purchase from Super Cellars for just $10.99.
There is no denying that everyone loves a piping hot pie when the cold weather really sets in, and that is why we have sourced this hearty pie recipe made using beef cheeks. As a fattier cut of meat, the dish requires a heavy, full bodied red to cut through the fat. Pair it with Pepper Jack’s Barossa Valley Cab Sauvignon and listen as the flavours of the dish sing (metaphorically speaking). You can pick up a bottle from Super Cellars for just $26.99.
To break the stereotype that red wine must be paired with red meat, we are pairing Taylors Estate Pinot Noir with this one-pot chicken dish that stars dates and caramelised onion. A bottle will set you back just $18.99 from Super Cellars.
Now we know that not everyone enjoys cooking, which is completely fine, so if you fall into this category may we suggest outsourcing lunch or dinner at Rodeo Bar & Grill, who are now open for dine in and takeaway 7 days a week from 11am. For those ordering takeaway, you’ll be able to stop in at Super Cellars Drive-Thru located next door where you’ll find a wide selection of international and domestic red wines. Peter Lehmann, Penfolds, and Taylors Wines are just a few of the Australian wine producers on offer. Of course, if you are not sure which red wine to pair with your delicious meal, simply ask our friendly staff to pick out a bottle for you.
Start browsing Rodeo Bar & Grill’s dine in and takeaway menus now by visiting the dining page.
