Summertime Wine-Food Pairing: A Lighter Touch but Savory
by Russ Kane, wine writer, blogger and aficionado
www.vintagetexas.com

Summertime is the season where food needs a lighter touch inthe kitchen, but without sacrificing flavor. Much of the same goes for wines,too. Here are two wine-food combos that will allow you to sip and savor to gain much needed relief from the outdoor heat. The Texas wines were selected from the gold and silver medal winners at the 2011 Lone Star International Wine Competition held earlier this month in Grapevine, Texas.

Stuffed Tomatoes with Crab & Tarragon
Grape Creek Vineyards 2010 Cuvee Blanc www.grapecreek.com – This light, unoaked and friendly wine, a blend dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Muscat Canelli, is punctuated with three distinct elements emanating from each grape variety used in the blend: tropical citrus, peach and floral notes. Crab and tarragon give the sensation of sweetness on the palate without sugar, as does this wine. Acidity in the tomato and the aromatic herb pair one-for-one with the crisp and scented nuances of the wine.

Pasta with Olives, Anchovies, Tomatoes, Garlic and Italian Parsley
Pedernales Cellars 2009 Texas GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) www.pedernalescellars.com – This medium bodied wine, made with fruit from the Texas High Plains and the Hill Country appellations and aged in American and French oak barrels, is the first Rhone-blend from Pedernales Cellars. It provides a supple and refreshing match for the pasta with complimentary elements of red berries and pepper on the nose, followed by deeper underlying notes of dry earth, black olive and roasted nuts that couples with the garlic and anchovies.

Photo: Fulton Davenport

To find a Texas winery, click here for an interactive map.

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Russ Kane has covered activities in the Texas wine industry for over a decade with articles in selected local and regional publications. He blogs regularly at www.vintagetexas.com/blog where he describes his travels around Texas, associated meet-ups, and wine tasting experiences. His book The Wineslinger Chronicles is scheduled for release Spring 2012.