Dutch Treat Wine Pairing

The goal in pairing wine with a specific dish is to find a match that makes both the food and the wine show their best stuff.

The game and meat marinated in red wine and herbs in Stephanie Chambers' Dutch Treat is screaming to be paired with a big, bold, tannic red wine. The fat in the meat will soften the perception of the tannins in the wine and the boldness of the wine will stand up to the strong gamey flavors of the meats and bouquets added by the vegetables.

There are many options to consider in the big, bold red category.  If you are fan of cabernet sauvignon a Napa Cab or a Bordeaux blend would do the trick.  If you really love big tannins - a Barolo from the Piedmont region of Italy would be nice.

My favorite pairing with this dish would be a syrah from the Northern Rhone valley of France.   Saint Cosme Cote Rotie would fit the bill with red berries, black currant, bacon, smoke and coffee aromas.  The rustic qualities of the wine will enhance the down to earth flavors in the meal.  Wine Advocate rates the 2006 vintage 92-94 and the retail price is $70 per bottle.

My second choice would be a Shiraz from Australia.  Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2008 would be a lovely choice.  This wine earned the number 2 spot on Wine Spectator's top 100 list for 2010.  It presents big bright flavors of dark red fruits with great minerality and a long impressive finish.  The wine retails for $55 per bottle.

For the dessert - complementing the luscious berry flavors is the goal.   For this I would choose Dow Vintage Port 2007.  This fortified wine will add to the warmth from the campfire and the flavors of ripe blueberries, vanilla and spice will be a wonderful pairing.  This wine also made the Wine Spectator 2010 top 100 list with a 100 point score.  A full bottle will put you back around $100, a half bottle may be all you need at the end of the evening - 375ml bottles can be found for $60.  If your budget doesn't run to a vintage port, you can serve a Ruby Port - the flavors won't be as complex, but the big red fruit flavors will be there.