Three easy recipes to pair with a fine Riesling

Hey everyone, Breno speaking.

“Humankind is now facing a global crisis. Perhaps the biggest crisis of our generation. The decisions people and governments take in the next few weeks will probably shape the world for years to come. They will shape not just our healthcare systems but also our economy, politics and culture”. This is how an article from Yuval Noah Harari began in the Financial Times days ago. Yuval makes the case for the danger of new government surveillance tools to monitor people under the excuse of the coronavirus. Scary stuff, but he is probably right.

Anyway: here in Lisbon, spring came, despite the covid-19 quarantine, and the slightly warmer temperatures have lightened my mood. And I’ve also given you nice tips of movies and shows about wine, so cheer up! How’s it going with you?

Apart from reading and watching the news, I’ve been studying some of the wines Alti Wine Exchange is launching in the next months. I learned some interesting new things about one particularly VERY IMPORTANT wine, from an outstanding vintage… which happens to be our latest IBO! So that’s why I began researching some nice recipes to pair with our lovely Riesling Beerenauslese Kröv Steffensberg 2007, a deliciously light-skinned, refreshing Mosel Riesling that combines unique sweetness and acidity.

So that’s why I’m bringing you today three easy and simple recipes to pair with fine Rieslings.

One of the most interesting aspects of Riesling, such as the one we are about to launch is how versatile and harmonic it is. From pork to poultry to salmon or tuna dishes, sheep cheese, spicy vegetarian dishes or desserts, you have many possibilities of pairing it with great foods.

But hey. Don’t forget your wine is an investment as well! I know you might be tempted to redeem it – I would love to drink my bottle of the Riesling Beerenauslese Kröv Steffensberg 2007, I admit. But if you keep it for even decades, the amount of money you will make out of it will be extraordinary. I promise!

Tarte Tatin

It may seem strange, but we are starting from dessert.

Why, you ask me? Because we’re talking about a late harvest Riesling. Therefore, may also be aware that our next IBO harmonizes extremely well with desserts that combine fruit and richness.

Tarte tatin is just a perfect combination: more precisely, it’s buttery, fruity and is topped by delicate, carefully caramelized apples. It is to die for. For this one, I’ll leave you with the very practical recipe by Julia Moskin in the New York Times. Just make sure the apples simmer in the right way and rest is easy as a breeze.

(Other delicious options I can recommend you are the timeless peaches and cream, lemon tart and strawberry cheesecake. Fruity flavors and cream. Do what you find best!)

Gorgonzola and pear risotto

Let’s add some sweetness to one of the most iconic Italian dishes. The combination of caramelized pears and blue cheese is already a great option no matter if you’re having wine on the side. But mixing them in a risotto and pairing it with a nice Riesling is taking it to a next level. The amount of richness and mixed flavors that arise are making me drool already.

For this one, I’m referring you to Food52’s recipe – gorgonzola and pear with walnuts as well, to make it extra savory. And well, if you’re not a complete newbie, risotto isn’t that hard to get right.

(A nice leek and gruyere quiche may also do the job here. And well, I must admit I’m also starving after seeing Food and Wine’s sheep cheese soufflée recipe.)

Lemon or orange chicken

If, instead, we move on to drier Rieslings, we can start thinking of pairing with a wide array of white meat possibilities – and also combine them with bittersweet flavors. The Riesling, here, plays an interesting role of giving this much needed balance and freshness to your palate.

Two recipes that are simple and provide this come from good old roasted chicken with the good balance between richness, acidity and mild sweet in their sauces: Lemon Chicken, creamy or not (this piece by Simply Recipes is just what you need) or a Chinese-inspired Orange Chicken (with ginger, yum!).

Many quick choices are also good to pair. Just to think of some, I could point out sesame-scallion chicken, honey-soy roasted pork with vegetables, the classic pad thai or even shrimp tacos (heavy on lime and cilantro!).

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So, Riesling is a quite versatile one, uh? Make sure to invest in a bottle of the Riesling Beerenauslese Kröv Steffensberg 2007.

Stay tuned and subscribe now, on the bottom of this page, to get the full information on our next IBOs!