Robert Parker Wine

Perfect pairs

By Bill & Karen Garlough

As published in the Naperville Sun, The New Beacon News Courier News Herald - January 30, 2009

One of our New Year resolutions for 2009 is to find exciting new wines that offer exceptional value. In the column, I always tried to present the wines that offer good value, and this approach is more appropriate than ever.

With all the snow / sleet / ice / rain we experienced this time of year, we tend to hang around our homes and host or attend parties at home. Playoff football offers a good reason to invite your friends and have fun. In this column, Karen will provide a quick and easy Jalapeno perfect distribution of football games and the bill will pair some wines that work well with this food.

Wine Facts

football games are fun and offer a casual way to meet and socialize. football party fare tends to be oily and spicy barbecue and ribs, chili, pizza, sandwiches and under a variety of dips and chips as the common menu items. These dishes usually call for beer. If you're planning a holiday is a good idea to offer wine to beer drinkers and not a variety of options for non-alcoholic beverages, including soft drinks and water.

As the wine is growing rapidly in popularity in the United States, there are a variety of flavors and styles available. Slightly sweet and fruity wines tend to balance spicy and fatty foods. I will focus on some red wines that your guests will appreciate for your football party.

I recently visited a couple of local wine merchants and the challenge of offering wines are fruity, reasonably priced and have a fun and funny name. Mark Dryden of Cabernet and society in Naperville has met this challenge with two reds worth. Both wines are blends of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah. Merlot grapes offer a fruity wine. The first wine is called Mark suggested fruit bomb, the Washington Winery Bergevin. This wine offers notes of cherry great. I can just imagine your guests will ask "second recommendation to go long" for another glass of fruit bomb. Mark Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend Winery Pietra Santa, which contains more Syrah grape fruit bomb, and tastes slightly drier. Both wines are ideal drink football game.

Party Fare

When customers have more recipes that are quick, easy and relatively inexpensive are ideal. At parties, people love to nibble a variety of comfort foods that are fatty and spicy. This recipe is reminiscent of the jalapeno peppers served in most pubs. It can also be prepared with cream cheese and low fat mayonnaise without sacrificing taste. Add jalapenos if you want an extra kick!

Extending Popper Tavern

2 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

January 4 oz chopped green chilies

1 / 8 cup (2 ounces) Jalapeno slices (bottled, not fresh), chopped (add more to taste)

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

½ cup bread crumbs (Japanese Panko is suggested)

French bread - toasted

Or

Tortilla Chips

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix in green chilies and jalapeno peppers. Transfer cheese mixture in a baking dish used safely. Combine Parmesan and bread crumbs. Sprinkle crumb mixture on top. Bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until cheese is hot and top is golden. Garnish with sliced 3-5 jalapenos and serve wi.