Kristina at Three Layer Cake posted a great recipe for Roman-Style artichokes. Her recipe also includes her beautiful photography as well. Read her post along with the recipe at Three Layer Cake.
I selected the Mas de Bressades Rosé 2007 to pair with the artichokes. Mas des Bressades is considered by many as one of the top estates in Costières de Nîmes, located 35 miles southwest of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, on the western side of the Rhône.
All of their wines are worth seeking out because they are consistently well made and very good values. Their rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Cinsault and is vinified completely in tank. Some people might equate pink wine with sweet, but it is a dry rosé. Raspberry and strawberries come through on the nose. On the palate, it is loaded with lychee and raspberry as well as rose water, wet stone and a hint of white pepper.
Rosé wines are usually great food wines and pair well with most foods (except steaks, creamy cow’s milk cheeses). They are especially well paired with dishes that have salty or spicy components or garlic components. I tend to think of artichokes as usually being bit salty or at least tasting best when they are well salted — and the recipe calls for some Italian parsley, basil and garlic.
You could also serve Mas de Bressades Viognier/Roussane blend as well. But it’s spring — and for me, the release of the latest vintage of rosé wines is always one of the best rites of spring.
I’ll have to see if I can find some artichokes at the market to try her recipe and the wine pairing this weekend.
In regards to wine pairings, I read a very interesting article this week that indicated that while it is important to compliment, accentuate, and play off the flavors and characteristics of the food — it is also critical to keep in mind that there is a critical third component as well — the people drinking the wine.
A good sommelier or wine merchant, should always ask what types/styles of wine you enjoy as their first question. I would be a bit reluctant to follow their advice if they don’t ask you what wines or types of wines you enjoy. Their first job is to get a sense of your palate. Once they have done that, and only then, can they begin to consider the food and suggestions for a wine pairing.
For example, Sauternes and Foie Gras is one of those classic pairings; however, some people do not like Foie Gras. People generally understand that and will probably think about their guests and whether or not they would eat Foie Gras before deciding to serve it. But when pairing a wine, people usually are more focused on the food, rather than their audience. Some people don’t like Sauternes, and maybe something like a Chenin Blanc, that usually has just a bit of sweetness might be a better pairing for a given situation.
In a forum such as this that isn’t possible, but is something that is important to consider when you consider suggested pairings, they are only one possibility — your palate and that of your guests need to be taken into account as well. All of this being said, I think it is also always a good idea to try new things and expand your palate — and let your sommelier or wine merchant now that you are open to suggestions that fall outside of your usual preferences — and also to encourage your friends and guests to try new things as well. After all, some of the best memories are also the most unique as well.
[…] tom@personalwinebuyer.com wrote a fantastic post today on “Roman-Style Artichokes — Recipe from Three Layer Cake”Here’s ONLY a quick extractKristina at Three Layer Cake posted a great recipe for Roman-Style artichokes. Her recipe also includes her beautiful photography as well. Read her post along with the recipe at Three Layer Cake. I selected the Mas de Bressades Rosé … […]