Piqueras Castillo de Almansa

Attributes:
Producer:

Bodegas Piqueras
Region:

Almansa, Spain
Varietal:

Grenache
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Acidity:

soft
Flavors:

blackberry, molasses
Fruit:

sweet

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 79
Acidity:

fresh, lively
Body:

light
Complexity:

awkward

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 77
Complexity:

awkward

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Almonds, Dates, Figs & Raisins, Hazelnuts
Herbs & Spices: Cilantro, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cumin, Saffron
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Spicy Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Vegetables: Artichokes, Beans, Green, Beans, White, Carrots, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Gazpacho, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Swiss chard or Kale, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, White Aspargus with Mustard Vinagrette

Grenache:

Originally from Spain, this grape comes in both red-wine and white-wine varieties and is often associated with France’s southern Rhone Valley. The Grenache grape does well in hot, dry regions, and its strong stalk makes it well suited for windy conditions. It ripens with very high sugar levels and can produce wines with high alcohol content. Grenache wines are sweet, fruity, and very low in tannins. They are usually lacking in color, except in growing areas where yields are low. In Spain Grenache is widely planted in Navarra as well as in many of the hotter areas of the country. In southern France Grenache is widely cultivated in the areas around Languedoc- RoussillonRousellon, Provence, and the southern Rhone. It is also extensively grown in Algeria, Australia, Corsica, Israel, Morocco, Sardinia and California's central valley. Red Grenache wines are usually blended with other varieties: trempranillo in Spain and cinsaut and carignan in France. It’s the primary grape in chateauneuf-du-pape as well as in several rose wines.

Mommessin 'Grande Exception' Vosne-Romanée

Attributes:
Producer:

Mommessin
Region:

Vosne-Romanée, France
Varietal:

Pinot Noir
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 88
Acidity:

bright
Complexity:

rustic
Flavors:

cherry, earth, leather, spice

Food Matches:
Cheese: Brie, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar
Fish or Shellfish: Grilled Ahi Tuna, Grilled Salmon
Herbs & Spices: Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Cinnamon, Mint, Mustard, Pepper (black, white, green), Rosemary
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Goose, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Beef Stew, Pork Chops, Veal w/Fruit Sauce
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beets, Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus

Pinot Noir:

(pee noh nwahr)—A tricky grape to grow, Pinot Noir makes some of the best wines in the world. The prototype wine is red Burgundy from France but Oregon, California, New Zealand, and parts of Australia also produce good Pinot Noir. The wine is lighter in color than Cabernet or Merlot with relatively high alcohol, medium-to-high acidity, and medium-to-low tannin. Its flavors and aromas can be very fruity or earthy and woodsy, depending on how it is grown. It is rarely blended with other grapes.


Vosne Romanée:

(vone roh mah nay)—This most southerly of the Côte de Nuits villages is home to some of the most prestigious vineyards in Burgundy. Its Pinot Noir grapes produce wines that are extraordinarily rich, stuffed with plums and heavily spiced.

Rojo Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon

Attributes:
Producer:

Rojo
Region:

Valdepeñas, Spain
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Almonds, Dates, Figs & Raisins, Hazelnuts
Herbs & Spices: Cilantro, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cumin, Saffron
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Spicy Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Vegetables: Artichokes, Beans, Green, Beans, White, Carrots, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Gazpacho, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Swiss chard or Kale, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, White Aspargus with Mustard Vinagrette

Warm French Bread Pudding

Rated

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup superfine sugar
6 eggs
1-3/4 cups milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 cups cubed sourdough French bread
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, cubed
1/2 cup maple syrup

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The mixture will look grainy.

Add the bread cubes and the fruit to the mixture, toss, and let stand for 10 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.

Remove the pudding from the oven and drizzle with the maple syrup. Serve hot or warm.

Yield

Serves 8

Cook Time

Prep Time: 30 mins.
Cook Time: 50 mins.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: Serves 8
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 495 Calories from Fat: 126
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 14.05g
21%  
Carbohydrates 85.33g
28%  
Dietary Fiber 2.92g
11%  
Saturated Fat 7.91g
39%  
Calories 494.59kcal
24%  
Cholesterol 31.25mg
10%  
Protein 7.65g
12%  
Sodium 468.56mg
19%  
Calcium
1%  
Iron
3%  
Vitamin A
9%  
Vitamin C
36%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.