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 Pea Risotto with Picpoul de Pinet by Curious Cuisiniere 

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.