Saturday, April 11, 2015

Spring Flavors with Hungarian Pinot Grigio for #WinePW

It is time for our Wine and Food Pairing Weekend, hosted this month by yours truly.  Yep, that's right, I was in charge of the theme for this month's #WinePW.  I chose Spring Flavors.   I explain why I chose this theme in my introduction post.

I was excited to have so many people want to join in and attend my party.  I wrote about that in my preview post.

Then I got to work deciding what Spring Flavors I would create and what Wine I should choose to serve with my meal.  I chose to make a Spring Vegetable Risotto topped with Salmon with White Wine Sauce.


Spring flavors are difficult for me to pair with wines.  Asparagus, especially, causes me problems but I find that if I meld all the flavors together into one dish it helps with the decision of which wine I will serve for dinner.  


We had been gifted a bottle of 2011 Companula Pinot Grigio from Hungary.  I had never tried this bottle before but I was familiar with Pinot Grigio which is normally a wine associated with Italy.  A good rule of thumb is to serve wines and food from the same regions so I thought a Pinot Grigio would pair well with the risotto.

It was not a great pairing but it was a decent pairing.  I think the risotto could have used a heavier wine.  This bottle of Pinot Grigio was light and acidic with flavors of green apples.  We did eat all of our dinner and drink the entire bottle of wine along with it so I can't call it a failure but I can see where a heavier wine, perhaps a buttery Chardonnay, would have been better suited to the richness of the risotto.

Just take a look at what this wonderful group has planned to meet my challenge to them.  We may never find ourselves in this dilemma again!!



Spring-Kissed Seafood Chowder with Pelerin 2011 Les Tournesols by Cooking Adventures with Camilla
Wine and Dine: Las Lilas Vinho Verde 2013 and Chilled Cucumber with Mint Soup by Grape Experiences.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Spring Peas and Westrey Pinot Noir by Pull That Cork
Red Wine with Asparagus and Mushrooms by Cooking Chat
Spring Hopes: Asparagus and Rosé by Food Wine Click
Leap into Spring with Pasta Primavera by Vino Travels
Spring Fling with Greek Pizza and Wine by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Spring Flavors with Hungarian Pinot Grigio by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Welcoming Spring with #WinePW by Rockin Red Blog
Winter's Hill Pinot Blanc and Warm Arugula, Bacon and Asparagus Salad by Tasting Pour
Roasted Halibut with Potatoes and Lemon and a Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas by Enofylz Wine Blog
Beets and Wine Pairing by Girls Gotta Drink


If you are catching this post early enough, you can join our live Twitter Chat on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. ET, via the Twitter hashtag #winePW. If you’ve come to us after April 11, consider joining us for #winePW 12 on Saturday, May 9.

14 comments:

  1. I love salmon dishes and like the pairing with a spring type risotto. I always gravitate towards mushrooms.

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    1. I love mushrooms as well Jennifer. The great thing about risotto is that it can stand up to whatever additions you want.

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  2. Great minds think alike! I love that you topped your risotto with salmon. Thanks for hosting this month!

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  3. I love risotto...it's so flexible. Thanks for hosting this month, Wendy. What a great theme!

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    1. Thanks Cam and thanks for all your help with my first hosting experience!

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  4. Your dish has my mouth watering! The wine sounds very interesting: a Pinot Grigio for Hungary, I like it! Thank you for a great theme and hosting. Sorry I missed the chat!

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    1. Thanks Michelle, I missed a good portion of the chat myself. I was watching my grandbaby and she wasn't cooperating for part of it.

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  5. Delightful pairing Wendy. I've had dry Furmint from Hungary, but never Pinot Grigio. An empty bottle is always a good indication of quality! Cheers.

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    1. Thanks Nancy. This was the first wine I have ever had from Hungary.

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  6. What an interesting wine pairing. I have not had a Pinot Grigio from Hungary. Dish sounds great.

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    1. I had never had any wine from Hungary prior to receiving this bottle as a gift. It was light and acidic.

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  7. I've not had Hungarian Pinot Grigio - sounds intriguing. What I love about this group is learning so much about food, pairings, and sometimes they aren't what we expected. I've had a few lately where the wines were fine, but not the best pairing too. Cheers!

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    1. I am enjoying this group very much Christy and I am glad I joined. My horizons are expanding each day.

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