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A Seasonal Nibbles Duet + Pear Valley Vineyard's Frizzante Muscat for #winePW


The second Saturday of the month is one of my favorite days. Do you know why? Because it's our #winePW - Wine Pairing Weekend - reveal. I absolutely adore it. How can you not love bloggers who love food and love wine. It's a fantastic event from which I always make a wine shopping list. And this month Jeff of foodwineclick is hosting this month. Here's his invitation. “Sparkling Wines and Hors D’oeuvres."

December is rife with holiday parties! So, our job this month was to create some great sparkling wine and appetizer pairings. What a perfect theme as we head into the season! If you see this early enough, please join us December 13th at 10 a.m. Central Time. We’ll be chatting on twitter at #WinePW about our creative holiday sparkling wine pairings. We’d love to have you join us!

In My Glass
For these events, I try to pick a somewhat local-to-me vintner...and something I haven't highlighted before. This month, I opted for Pear Valley Vineyard's Frizzante Muscat. Pear Valley is not too far down the road from where I am. 

Pear Valley started in the late 60s when owner Tom Maas was stationed on an army base in Germany…in the midst of a vineyard. There he developed an affection for wine. Pear Valley started with 20 acres in 1999 and now Tom and his wife Kathleen own 113 acres. In the Spring of 2008 they broke ground on a 14,000 square foot winery and a 5,000 square foot tasting room. And in August 2012 Pear Valley officially achieved Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification. SIP Certification demonstrates a strict adherance to vineyard practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically-viable. Wine with a conscience. I love it!

Their Frizzante Muscat is deliciously sweet with just the right amount of spritz. I was reminded of orange blossom, jasmine and white peach. 

On the Plate
While I would typcially serve muscat with a dessert course, I wanted to create a seasonal nibbles duet that was both sweet and savory. I entertain quite a bit during the holidays and one thing I've learned: simple + delicious = hostess success.


Citronette with Winter Crudités

Ingredients

  • veggies for dipping, I used candy cane beets, fennel, carrots, radishes, celery, and asparagus
  • 1/4 C orange blossom honey (I picked orange blossom to match the citrus notes of the wine)
  • 1/4 C fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1/4 t finely grated orange zest
  • 1/2 C olive oil
  • freshly ground salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 1 T fresh chopped herbs (I used some parsley and dill)

Procedure
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, and orange zest. Gradually whisk in the oil and season the citronette with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Persimmon Bruschetta

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe Fuyu persimmons
  • 1 fresh ricotta
  • crusty bread, sliced
  • olive oil
  • thin slices of honey with its comb (you can substitute a drizzle of honey, if you like)
  • 1/4 C toasted pecans , coarsely chopped
  • freshly ground salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Procedure
Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush the bread with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until crisp and lightly browned. In the meantime, slice the persimmons on a mandoline or as thin as you can.

Spread a dollop of ricotta on the toasted bread, lay a slice of persimmon on top. Place a thin slice of honeycomb on the persimmon and sprinkle with pecan pieces. Serve immediately.

Wine Pairing Weekend #7 
Here's what all of the bloggers have created for the December Wine Pairing Weekend! Try something new this year! 

Sparkling Wine and Appetizer Pairings



And that's a Wrap...
...on our December #winePW event.  My Seasonal Nibbles Duet + Pear Valley Vineyard's Frizzante Muscat pairing was so much fun! I'll pin this recipe and other posts on my #winePW pinterest board. David, the event creator, also has a Wine Pairing Weekend pinterest board

And, be sure to mark your calendars for January's Wine Pairing Weekend, hosted by Christy at Confessions of a Culinary Diva. We'll be sharing pairings at the #WinePW 8 conversation on Saturday, January 10! "New Wine Resolutions!"

If you can't find Pear Valley Vineyard's Frizzante Muscat, look for a Muscat that is not too syrupy. And if you try this pairing - or just the wine - I would love to hear what you think. Comment below, find Culinary Adventures with Camilla on facebook, or tweet to me at @Culinary_Cam.

Comments

  1. That Persimmon Bruschetta is calling my name! What a unique and fun Holiday appetizer! Great pairing this month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sarah. I loved it! We battled over the last one. Cheers.

      Delete
  2. I love these recipes! So easy and delicious-I'm going to try the Persimmon Bruschetta soon. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great ideas! And two bottles of bubbly, double the fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just like Thanksgiving. Two dessert wines = two desserts!!

      Delete
  4. This bruschetta sounds right up my alley and the pairing with the sparkling muscat sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. We have a Persimmon tree in the backyard Camilla! Your post gives me a great option for something to do with them beside eat them by themselves! The moscato sounds tasty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woohoo. I'm jealous of your persimmon tree, Martin.

      Delete
  6. Persimmons must be in season right now because I have seen a lot of recipes with them latley. I have never tried them. This might be the time to do so.

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  7. I am going to make this! Wow does it look good. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hooray. I love inspiring people into the kitchen. Thanks for commenting, Michelle.

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  8. You pushed me out of my comfort zone. Both the wine and appetizer are not the style of food or wine I would choose. Except, I love your description of this wine and makes it temptation. If the intent of #winePW is to shake me up, you have succeeded. I have never used persimmons and now must. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am SO excited, William. Do let me know if you try it...and what you think. Cheers.

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